Daniel 6:18

¶ Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.

Then {H116} the king {H4430} went {H236} to his palace {H1965}, and passed the night {H956} fasting {H2908}: neither {H3809} were instruments {H1761} of musick brought {H5954} before {H6925} him: and his sleep {H8139} went {H5075} from him {H5922}.

Then the king returned to his palace. He spent the night fasting and refusing to be entertained, as sleep eluded him.

Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting. No entertainment was brought before him, and sleep fled from him.

Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting; neither were instruments of music brought before him: and his sleep fled from him.

Daniel 6:18 vividly portrays the profound distress of King Darius following Daniel's forced entry into the lions' den. Despite his royal authority, Darius was bound by the unalterable law of the Medes and Persians, which he had been tricked into enacting. This verse highlights his deep personal anguish and desperate hope for Daniel's deliverance.

Context

This verse is set immediately after King Darius, under duress and deception, has ordered Daniel to be cast into the lions' den for violating a decree he himself signed, forbidding prayer to anyone but the king for thirty days. Darius had no choice but to uphold the law of the Medes and Persians, which could not be altered (Daniel 6:15). His deep regret and distress over Daniel's fate are evident here, showing his personal affection and respect for Daniel.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Profound Distress: King Darius's actions—fasting, rejecting entertainment, and sleeplessness—underscore his immense anguish and regret. He genuinely cared for Daniel, recognizing his integrity and God's favor upon him. This isn't just political inconvenience but personal sorrow.
  • Royal Powerlessness: Despite being a powerful king, Darius found himself trapped by his own decree, unable to save Daniel from the consequences of the law (Daniel 6:8). This highlights a limitation even for absolute monarchs.
  • Anticipation of Divine Intervention: Darius's sleepless night and fasting suggest a desperate hope for divine intervention. He had expressed a belief that Daniel's God would deliver him (Daniel 6:16), and his actions here reflect this anxious expectation.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "passed the night fasting" indicates a complete abstinence from food, a common practice in times of deep mourning, repentance, or earnest prayer. The absence of "instruments of musick" (or 'diversions'/'dances' in some translations) emphasizes the king's profound sorrow, as such entertainment was customary for royalty. His "sleep went from him" vividly portrays his agitated state, unable to find rest due to overwhelming worry for Daniel.

Related Scriptures

  • The immediate context of Daniel being cast into the lions' den sets the stage for Darius's despair.
  • This intense concern contrasts sharply with the joy and relief Darius experiences upon discovering Daniel's miraculous deliverance in the morning, as described in Daniel 6:20 and Daniel 6:23.
  • Similar instances of powerful individuals experiencing distress leading to sleeplessness can be found in other biblical narratives, such as King Ahasuerus's sleepless night in Esther 6:1, which providentially led to Mordecai's honor.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that even those in positions of power can experience deep personal anguish and helplessness. It highlights the human element of leadership and the weight of decisions. For believers, it can be an encouragement that God observes and cares, even when circumstances seem dire. Darius's distress, though rooted in regret, also shows a flicker of faith in Daniel's God, anticipating a miraculous outcome. It illustrates how genuine concern for God's faithful servants can lead even unbelievers to acknowledge divine power.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Daniel 2:1

    ¶ And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him.

  • Esther 6:1

    ¶ On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.

  • 2 Samuel 12:16

    David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.

  • 2 Samuel 12:17

    And the elders of his house arose, [and went] to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.

  • Psalms 77:4

    Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.

  • Amos 6:4

    That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall;

  • Amos 6:6

    That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.

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