Daniel 6:19

KJV

Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {H116} the king {H4430} arose {H6966} very early {H8238} in the morning {H5053}, and went {H236} in haste {H927} unto the den {H1358} of lions {H744}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Early in the morning, the king got up and hurried to the lion pit.

Berean Standard Bible

At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the den of lions.

American Standard Version

Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 6:19 captures the profound dawn after Daniel's miraculous night in the lions' den, vividly portraying King Darius's desperate anxiety and urgent haste. Tormented by a sleepless night and deep regret over Daniel's unjust condemnation, the king rises at the earliest conceivable moment, driven by a fervent, albeit fragile, hope that Daniel's God may have intervened to save His faithful servant. This pivotal verse dramatically sets the stage for the miraculous revelation of divine protection, Daniel's ultimate vindication, and a pagan king's encounter with the living God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows a night of profound distress for King Darius. [Daniel 6:16](/daniel/6-16 "Daniel 6:16 - Daniel Cast into the Den") describes Daniel being cast into the den, sealed by the king's own signet and that of his nobles, ensuring the decree's immutability and the finality of the judgment. [Daniel 6:18](/daniel/6-18 "Daniel 6:18 - Darius's Sleepless Night") vividly portrays the king's anguish: he returns to his palace, refuses food and entertainment, and spends a sleepless night, clearly burdened by the irreversible decree into which he was cunningly tricked. His actions in Daniel 6:19 are the direct, inevitable consequence of this torment, a desperate dash to confront the outcome of his terrible decision, fueled by a faint but persistent hope in Daniel's God. The narrative skillfully builds suspense, leading the reader to anticipate the dramatic revelation at the den.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the Medo-Persian Empire, renowned for its strict and unchangeable laws. Once a decree was signed by the king and sealed, it could not be altered or revoked, even by the monarch himself (cf. [Daniel 6:8](/daniel/6-8 "Daniel 6:8 - The Immutable Law of the Medes and Persians")). This legal rigidity explains Darius's profound helplessness despite his supreme authority and his personal desire to save Daniel. The "den of lions" was a brutal and public form of execution, designed to be inescapable and serve as a deterrent. Darius's early morning haste underscores not only his deep personal concern for Daniel but also the cultural expectation that a king, though powerful, was ultimately bound by the very laws he promulgated. His actions reflect a monarch grappling with the human cost of his own unchangeable decrees and the profound impact of Daniel's character and faith.
* **Key Themes:** Daniel 6:19 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Daniel. It highlights the **tension between human authority and divine sovereignty**, as Darius, the most powerful man in the empire, is utterly powerless to undo his own law, yet anticipates a higher power at work. It emphasizes the **impact of faithful witness**, as Daniel's unwavering devotion to God has clearly impressed the pagan king, leading Darius to hope in Daniel's God for deliverance, much like Nebuchadnezzar's recognition of God after the deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in [Daniel 3](/daniel/3 "Daniel 3 - The Fiery Furnace"). Finally, it builds **anticipation for divine deliverance**, setting the scene for one of the Bible's most dramatic displays of God's ability to protect His servants in seemingly impossible circumstances, a theme consistent throughout Daniel's narrative, affirming that God is able to deliver those who trust Him (cf. [Daniel 3:17](/daniel/3-17 "Daniel 3:17 - God is Able to Deliver")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **King (Aramaic, _melek'_):** This word (H4430) refers to Darius, emphasizing his royal status and the immense power he wielded. Paradoxically, his power is shown to be limited in the face of his own immutable law. His personal anguish highlights the human side of even the most absolute ruler, burdened by the consequences of his decrees and the plight of a man he respected.
* **Arose (Aramaic, _qûwm'_):** The verb (H6966) signifies a rising or standing up, but here it carries the connotation of an immediate, decisive action after a period of inactivity or distress. Coupled with the subsequent phrases, it conveys the king's inability to rest or delay, driven by an overwhelming and desperate need to ascertain Daniel's fate. It implies a forced, urgent movement from a state of troubled repose.
* **Very early in the morning (Aramaic, _shᵉpharphar nôgahh'_):** This idiomatic phrase, combining H8238 and H5053, literally means "the dawn's brilliance" or "the shining morning." It vividly describes the absolute earliest moment of the day, emphasizing the king's extreme impatience and desperate anticipation. He did not wait for full daylight but went at the first hint of aurora, underscoring his profound anxiety, sleepless torment, and faint hope.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then the king arose very early in the morning,"**: This clause immediately follows the description of Darius's sleepless and fasting night, emphasizing the profound distress that prevented him from resting. The king's rising at the absolute earliest moment of dawn powerfully conveys his deep anguish, his inability to tolerate further delay, and his desperate urgency to know Daniel's fate. It highlights his personal investment and emotional torment over the situation, suggesting a mind consumed by the events of the previous night.
* **"and went in haste"**: This phrase reinforces the king's extreme impatience and anxiety, moving beyond mere rising to a frantic progression. The "haste" suggests a rapid, almost frantic movement, driven by a mixture of dread over the expected outcome and a faint, desperate hope for a miracle. He is not merely proceeding, but rushing, indicating the depth of his emotional turmoil and the critical, life-or-death nature of his mission.
* **"unto the den of lions."**: This specifies the king's grim destination, the place of certain death and the culmination of the unjust decree. The "den of lions" represents not only a brutal method of execution but also the seemingly inescapable consequence of human conspiracy and immutable law. The king's direct journey to this terrifying place underscores his confrontation with the consequences of his actions and his desperate need to witness the outcome, hoping against all odds for a divine intervention.

#### Literary Devices
The verse masterfully employs **Anticipation** and **Suspense**, building palpable tension as the narrative moves towards the climax of Daniel's story. The king's "very early" rising and his "haste" are not merely descriptive but serve to heighten the reader's expectation of what he will find, creating a sense of urgency and impending revelation. There is also a significant element of **Dramatic Irony**, as the reader, often familiar with the outcome of Daniel's night, is aware of Daniel's safety, while the king remains in agonizing uncertainty. This contrast between the reader's knowledge and the character's ignorance amplifies the emotional impact. Furthermore, the "den of lions" itself functions as powerful **Symbolism**, representing not only a place of certain death but also the ultimate test of faith, the overwhelming power of human opposition, and ultimately, the extraordinary power of God to deliver from seemingly inescapable destruction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 6:19 serves as a poignant illustration of God's sovereignty over human affairs, even over the most powerful rulers and the most rigid legal systems. King Darius, despite his absolute authority, is shown to be deeply affected by the consequences of his decrees and the plight of a righteous man. His desperate hope for Daniel's deliverance, born out of respect for Daniel's character and Daniel's God, underscores the profound impact of a faithful witness on those in power, even those outside the covenant community. This scene sets the stage for God to demonstrate His unmatched power, turning a humanly irreversible death sentence into a glorious testament to divine protection and justice. It reminds us that even when human systems of justice fail or are manipulated, God's ultimate justice and power to save remain supreme, often working through the very circumstances designed for destruction.

* [Psalm 34:7](/psalm/34-7 "Psalm 34:7 - The Angel of the Lord Encamps Around Those Who Fear Him")
* [Hebrews 11:33](/hebrews/11-33 "Hebrews 11:33 - Faith Stopping the Mouths of Lions")
* [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart is a Stream of Water in the Hand of the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
King Darius's urgent journey to the lions' den, driven by anguish and a sliver of hope, offers a powerful reflection on leadership, regret, and the profound influence of a life lived in integrity. His actions reveal that even those in positions of immense power are not immune to the emotional weight of their decisions, especially when those decisions inadvertently harm the innocent. For us, this verse encourages us to consider the impact of our own choices and the importance of standing firm in our convictions, as Daniel did, even when it means facing severe consequences. Just as Darius desperately sought Daniel, we are called to seek God's presence and comfort in our own "dens"—those seemingly impossible or terrifying situations where we feel trapped, vulnerable, or unjustly condemned. It is a profound reminder that our faithfulness, even in the face of grave danger, can bear powerful witness to God's character and power, potentially impacting those around us, even those in authority, and fostering a desperate hope for divine intervention in the most dire circumstances.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does King Darius's urgent action reflect the weight of his responsibility and his personal anguish over Daniel's fate?**
* **In what "dens" of life do you need to trust God for miraculous deliverance, even when circumstances seem utterly hopeless?**
* **How does Daniel's unwavering faith inspire you to live righteously, even when faced with unjust opposition or the consequences of others' actions?**

### FAQ

**Why was the king so distressed about Daniel?**

Answer: King Darius was deeply distressed because he held Daniel in exceptionally high esteem, recognizing his unparalleled spirit and wisdom (cf. [Daniel 6:3](/daniel/6-3 "Daniel 6:3 - Daniel's Excellence and Promotion")). He had intended to set Daniel over the whole kingdom due to his outstanding qualities. However, he was cunningly tricked by jealous officials into signing an unchangeable decree that inadvertently condemned Daniel. His profound distress stemmed from his personal affection and respect for Daniel, combined with his utter helplessness to reverse a law he himself had enacted, which bound even him.

**What does "very early in the morning" signify in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "very early in the morning" (Aramaic: _shᵉpharphar nôgahh_) emphasizes the king's extreme impatience, profound anxiety, and sleepless torment. It indicates that he did not wait for full daylight but went at the absolute earliest possible moment, at the first hint of dawn. This highlights his restless night (as explicitly mentioned in [Daniel 6:18](/daniel/6-18 "Daniel 6:18 - Darius's Sleepless Night")) and his desperate, almost frantic, need to ascertain Daniel's fate, clinging to a faint hope for a miracle.

**Could the king not simply change the law and save Daniel?**

Answer: No, according to the inviolable laws of the Medes and Persians, once a decree was signed and sealed by the king, it was immutable and could not be altered or revoked (cf. [Daniel 6:8](/daniel/6-8 "Daniel 6:8 - The Immutable Law of the Medes and Persians") and [Daniel 6:15](/daniel/6-15 "Daniel 6:15 - The Unchangeable Law Confirmed")). This legal rigidity is a key element of the narrative, highlighting the king's powerlessness despite his supreme position and underscoring the absolute necessity of divine intervention for Daniel's deliverance. It magnifies the miracle by showing that no human authority could have saved Daniel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel's experience in the lions' den, and King Darius's desperate rush to it, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The "den of lions," a place of certain death from which no one was expected to emerge alive, serves as a powerful type of the grave. Just as Daniel was placed in a sealed, tomb-like chamber, only to be found miraculously alive, so too was Jesus laid in a sealed tomb. King Darius's anxious journey to the den, filled with a desperate hope for Daniel's life, mirrors humanity's deepest longing for deliverance from the power of death and sin. However, unlike Darius's fragile and uncertain hope, the resurrection of Jesus Christ provides the ultimate, assured victory over the "den" of death. Christ's emergence from the tomb on the third day, conquering sin and death, is the ultimate fulfillment of all such Old Testament deliverances. He is the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), and through His resurrection, He offers eternal life to all who believe, demonstrating that He is indeed [the resurrection and the life](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life"). His victory ensures that death has [no more dominion over Him](/romans/6-9 "Romans 6:9 - Christ's Victory Over Death"), and through Him, we are freed from the fear of death, for He has [destroyed him who has the power of death, that is, the devil](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ Destroying the Power of Death and the Devil").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Thessalonians 3:5

For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.

Matthew 28:1

¶ In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first [day] of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

2 Corinthians 2:13

I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.

Mark 16:2

And very early in the morning the first [day] of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.