King Darius promoted Daniel to a high position, which incited jealousy among other officials. They conspired by tricking the king into signing an unchangeable decree forbidding prayer to any god but Darius for thirty days. Daniel, remaining faithful, continued his customary prayers and was subsequently cast into the lion's den. God miraculously delivered Daniel, leading Darius to punish his accusers and issue a decree honoring Daniel's God throughout the kingdom.
with three chiefs over them, of whom Dani'el was one, so that these viceroys could be responsible to them and so that the king's interests would be safeguarded.
But because an extraordinary spirit was in this Dani'el, he so distinguished himself above the other chiefs and the viceroys that the king considered putting him in charge of the whole kingdom.
The other chiefs and the viceroys tried to find a cause for complaint against Dani'el in regard to how he performed his governing duties, but they could find nothing to complain about, no fault; on the contrary, because he was so faithful, not a single instance of negligence or faulty administration could be found.
Then these men said, "We're not going to find any cause for complaint against this Dani'el unless we can find something against him in regard to the law of his god."
All the chiefs of the kingdom, along with the prefects, viceroys, advisers and governors, have met and agreed that the king should issue a decree putting in force the following law: 'Whoever makes a request of any god or man during the next thirty days, except of you, your majesty, is to be thrown into the lion pit.'
Now, your majesty, issue this decree over your signature, so that it cannot be revoked, as required by the law of the Medes and Persians, which is itself irrevocable."
On learning that the document had been signed, Dani'el went home. The windows of his upstairs room were open in the direction of Yerushalayim; and there he kneeled down three times a day and prayed, giving thanks before his God, just as he had been doing before.
So they went to remind the king of his royal decree: "Didn't you sign a law prohibiting anyone from making requests of any god or man within thirty days, except yourself, your majesty, on pain of being thrown into the lion pit?"The king answered, "Yes, that is true, as required by the law of the Medes and Persians, which is itself irrevocable."
They replied to the king, "That Dani'el, one of the exiles from Y'hudah, respects neither you, your majesty, nor the decree you signed; instead, he continues praying three times a
But these men descended on the king and said to him, "Remember, your majesty, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or edict, once issued by the king, can be revoked."
So the king gave the order, and they brought Dani'el and threw him into the lion pit. The king said to Dani'el, "Your God, whom you are always serving, will save you."
A stone was brought to block the opening of the pit, and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords, so that nothing concerning Dani'el could be changed.
On approaching the pit where Dani'el was, the king cried in a pained voice to Dani'el, "Dani'el, servant of the living God! Has your God, whom you are always serving, been able to save you from the lions?"
My God sent his angel to shut the lions' mouths, so they haven't hurt me. This is because before him I was found innocent; and also I have done no harm to you, your majesty."
The king was overjoyed and ordered Dani'el taken up from the pit. So Dani'el was taken up from the pit, and he was found to be completely unharmed, because he had trusted in his God.
Then the king gave an order, and they brought those men who had accused Dani'el, and they threw them into the lion pit - them, their children and their wives -and before they even reached the bottom of the pit, the lions had them in their control and broke all their bones to pieces.
"I herewith issue a decree that everywhere in my kingdom, people are to tremble and be in awe of the God of Dani'el. "For he is the living God; he endures forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed; his rulership will last till the end.
So this Dani'el prospered during the reign of Daryavesh, and also during the reign of Koresh the Persian.
Study Notes for Daniel 6
Verse 1
Darius the Mede is introduced (cf. Dan 5:31). Historically, he represents the transitional ruler between the fall of Babylon and the full reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Verse 3
The phrase 'excellent spirit' emphasizes Daniel's exceptional wisdom, integrity, and spiritual insight, which distinguished him among the governors and made him indispensable to the king.
Verse 4
The accusers could find no fault in Daniel's professional conduct, demonstrating his complete integrity. This sets up the central conflict: loyalty to God versus loyalty to the state.
Verse 5
The conspirators realized Daniel's sole vulnerability was his unwavering devotion to the 'law of his God,' making religious piety the necessary target of their political attack.
Verse 7
The decree required exclusive devotion to Darius for 30 days, essentially demanding that the king be treated as the sole deity. This mirrors the mandatory worship conflict in chapter 3.
Verse 8
The 'law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not' highlights the rigidity of the governing legal system. This immutability ensures that the king cannot later save Daniel without violating his own law.
Verse 10
Daniel’s devotion involved praying three times a day toward Jerusalem (a practice established by Solomon, 1 Kgs 8:48). He maintained his routine publicly, refusing to compromise his faith even under threat.
Verse 13
The accusers contemptuously refer to Daniel as being 'of the children of the captivity of Judah,' emphasizing that a foreign captive is daring to disregard the absolute authority of the king.
Verse 14
Darius’s distress shows he recognized the conspiracy and sincerely respected Daniel. He labored desperately to find a loophole, highlighting the conflict between personal justice and rigid legalism.
Verse 16
Darius expresses hope in Daniel's God, acknowledging the power witnessed in previous events (cf. Dan 3). He recognizes Daniel’s consistent faithfulness even as he is forced to execute the law.
Verse 17
The sealing of the den with the signets of the king and his lords ensured that no human interference could alter the outcome. This makes the subsequent deliverance purely a divine act.
Verse 22
Daniel attributes his safety to God because he maintained 'innocency'—he had done no wrong against God (by stopping prayer) or against the king (by failing in his duties).
Verse 23
The text explicitly states that Daniel was unharmed 'because he believed in his God.' This links the miraculous deliverance directly to Daniel's faith and trust in divine sovereignty.
Verse 24
The punishment of the accusers, including their families, reflects the harsh legal customs of the ancient Near East, ensuring that the conspirators faced the consequences of the law they invoked.
Verse 25
Like Nebuchadnezzar before him, Darius issues a universal decree acknowledging the power of Daniel’s God, demonstrating the profound impact of the miracle on the imperial court.
Verse 26
Darius recognizes the God of Daniel as the 'living God,' whose kingdom is eternal and whose dominion surpasses that of any earthly ruler, including himself.
Verse 28
This verse concludes the narrative section of the book (chapters 1-6), confirming Daniel’s long and successful career, spanning the reigns of two major empires (Babylon and Medo-Persia).
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The Calling of Disciples
19And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
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