Daniel 1:1  “…Jehoiakim king of Judah…”
Cross reference 2 Kings 23 and 24 and 2 Chronicles 36.

2  “…part of the vessels of the house of God…he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god”
We find in Ezra that God protected the articles that Nebuchadnezzar took.  They were still around when God brought the exiles back to Jerusalem.

3  “…certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes”
The men were from the tribe of Judah, but they may also have been part of the royal family line.  I forget sometimes that although there was only one king, he usually had brothers and sisters who would have families, if he didn’t kill them all, so the royal family could be fairly large.

5-7  “…they might stand before the king…prince of the eunuchs gave names…Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego”
After taking captives, the conquering nation would try to assimilate them into society and make them forget their former lives.  Giving them new names which honored the conquerors gods was part of this.  However, the Hebrew men never forgot to whom they belonged.

8  “…Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself”
Awesome statement of faith.  Daniel is in another country, forced to serve another king, but He refuses to abandon God.  He also doesn’t demand his way, but works with his captors to show them a better way.

13  “…as thou seest, deal with thy servants”
Daniel worked with his captors and trusted God with the results.

17  “As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.”
God was faithful to His servants.

21  “And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.”
Daniel served in the government administrations through the reign of the Babylonians and the Medes/Persians.  His faithfulness to God during all of this time gained him great respect from his earthly captors.  What an example.  No matter our circumstances, we should be as faithful.  Try to work with what we’re given, but never compromise the law of God.  We’ll see that later with the other three.

I hope you enjoy reading and studying His word.  May it accomplish what He desires.  Please feel free to comment or post questions.  Thanks for reading!