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.
Then this Daniel was distinguished above the presidents and the satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.
Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find occasion against Daniel as touching the kingdom; but they could find no occasion nor fault, because he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.
All the presidents of the kingdom, the deputies and the satraps, the counselors and the governors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a strong decree, that whoever shall ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days, except of you, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.
Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which doesn’t alter.
When Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house (now his windows were open in his room toward Jerusalem) and he kneeled on his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did before.
Then they came near, and spoke before the king concerning the king’s decree: Haven’t you signed an decree, that every man who shall make petition to any god or man within thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which doesn’t alter.
Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, who is of the children of the captivity of Judah, doesn’t respect you, O king, nor the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.
Then the king, when he heard these words, was very displeased, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored until the going down of the sun to rescue him.
Then these men assembled together to the king, and said to the king, Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians, that no decree nor statute which the king establishes may be changed.
Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. The king spoke and said to Daniel, Your God whom you serve continually, he will deliver you.
A stone was brought, and laid on the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel.
When he came near to the den to Daniel, he cried with a lamentable voice; the king spoke and said to Daniel, Daniel, servant of the living God, is your God, whom you serve continually, able to deliver you from the lions?
My God has sent his angel, and has shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not hurt me; because as before him innocence was found in me; and also before you, O king, have I done no hurt.
Then was the king exceeding glad, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
The king commanded, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions mauled them, and broke all their bones in pieces, before they came to the bottom of the den.
I make a decree, that in all the dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel; for he is the living God, and steadfast forever, His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed; and his dominion shall be even to the end.
So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus 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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