Final answer:
The correct answer is option a) They became healthier and stronger.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question refers to a biblical story found in the Book of Daniel, where Daniel and his fellow Jews consumed a diet of vegetables and water, rather than the rich foods and wines from the king's table in Babylon. The outcome, according to the narrative, was that they became healthier and stronger (option a) compared to those who consumed the royal provisions.
The historical context surrounding these events relates to the period after the Judeans were attacked by the Neo-Babylonians and subsequently exiled to Babylon in the early sixth century BCE, an event that is known as the Babylonian Captivity. During their time in Babylon, some Jewish exiles assimilated into the local culture, while others, like Daniel, adhered to their Jewish customs and dietary laws. Daniel's choice to follow a kosher diet demonstrates the importance of his Jewish identity and the emphasis on the Jewish dietary laws for maintaining that identity even in exile.