Daniel and the Dream
Daniel was a Jewish boy from Jerusalem.
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon declared war and destroyed Jerusalem.
He brought all the captives back from Jerusalem to live in Babylon.
He gave the captives land and allowed them to build homes and worship as they pleased.
The people of Babylon believed in 4000 gods.
They worshiped idols.
King Nebuchadnezzar brought 4 young men to live in the palace.
They were Daniel, Meshach, Shadrack, and Abednego.
They studied well.
God gave them great ability to learn and soon they were the wisest men in all Babylon.
God also gave Daniel the ability to understand dreams.
One night, King Nebuchadnezzar had a horrible dream.
He awoke from his dream just terrified.
But no sooner had he awakened then he forgot what he dreamed.
He was still scared.
He quickly got dressed and then he called all the magicians, sorcerers and astrologers.
"I had a horrible dream," he said, "but I cant remember what it was. Tell me what it was that I dreamed!"
The sorcerers said, "Sir, please tell us the dream and then we can tell you what it means."
They said, "Sir, there is no one alive that can tell you what you dreamed."
The king was furious!
He immediately sent orders to round up all the wise men and get rid of them.
The king's men left immediately to gather up all wise men in Babylon.
They got Daniel because he was the wisest man.
Daniel asked, "Why is the king so angry?"
The kings men told him what happened.
Daniel asked to see the king.
"Please give me tonight. I will tell you what you dreamed tomorrow," he said.
The king agreed.
Daniel went home.
He and three of his companions prayed to God for the answer.
While Daniel slept, God told Daniel what the king had dreamed.
The next day, Daniel went to King Nebuchadnezzar.
Daniel told him that none of his astrologers or magicians or the false gods in Babylon could know the dream.
"There is one true God in heaven that knows everything. I asked Him what the dream was and He told me," Daniel said.
Daniel told him what he had dreamed and the meaning of the dream.
King Nebuchadnezzar was so happy.
"Truly Your God is the God of gods, Ruler of kings and the Revealer of mysteries," said the king.
He made Daniel the ruler over Babylon.
He made Daniel the chief of all the wise men.
Daniel praised God.
