Daniel Chapter 6 - “Daniel serves King Darius" "Daniel in the Den of Lions"?

Daniel Chapter 6 - “Daniel serves King Darius" "Daniel in the Den of Lions"?

In Daniel Chapter 6, we encounter two interconnected narratives: "Daniel serves King Darius" (verses 1-15) and "Daniel in the Den of Lions" (verses 16-28). These passages offer profound lessons about faith, integrity, and the sovereignty of God. As we delve into this chapter, we'll explore both sections in detail, drawing out their spiritual insights and relevance to contemporary believers.

Now Let’s Eat Some Meat!

Daniel 6:1-15 (AMPC) - Daniel Serves King Darius

1 It pleased [King] Darius [successor to Belshazzar] to set over the kingdom 120 satraps who should be [in charge] throughout all the kingdom,

King Darius appoints 120 satraps to govern his kingdom, establishing an administrative structure.

2 And over them three presidents—of whom Daniel was one—that these satraps might give account to them and that the king should have no loss [from them].

Three presidents are appointed, with Daniel as one of them, to ensure accountability among the satraps and prevent any losses to the king.

3 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.

Daniel's exceptional character and spirit set him apart, leading the king to consider promoting him to oversee the entire kingdom.

4 Then the presidents and satraps sought to find occasion [to bring accusation] against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no occasion or fault, for he was faithful, nor was there any error or fault found in him.

Jealous of Daniel's rising influence, the other officials attempt to find fault with him but cannot because of his unwavering faithfulness and integrity.

5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion [to bring accusation] against this Daniel except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.

Recognizing Daniel's devotion to his faith, the conspirators plot to use his commitment to God's law against him.

6 Then these presidents and satraps thronged before the king and said concerning him, King Darius, live forever!

The officials approach King Darius with flattery and respect.

7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the deputies and the satraps, the counselors and the governors, have consulted and agreed that the king should establish a royal statute and make a firm decree that whoever shall ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days, except of you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.

The officials propose a decree that for 30 days, no one can make a petition to any god or man except King Darius, under the penalty of being thrown into a den of lions.

8 Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing that it may not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be altered.

They urge the king to make this decree unchangeable, invoking the unalterable nature of Medo-Persian law.

9 So King Darius signed the writing and the decree.

Trusting the counsel of his officials, King Darius signs the decree.

10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house, and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he got down upon his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.

Despite the decree, Daniel continues to pray and give thanks to God three times a day, maintaining his faithful devotion to God.

11 Then these men came thronging [by agreement] and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.

The conspirators catch Daniel in the act of praying to his God.

12 Then they came near and said before the king concerning his prohibitory decree, Have you not signed an edict that any man who shall make a petition to any god or man within thirty days, except of 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 cannot be altered.

They remind King Darius of the decree he signed, emphasizing its unalterable nature.

13 Then they said before the king, That Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, does not regard or pay any attention to you, O king, or to the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.

The officials accuse Daniel of disregarding the king's decree and continuing to pray to his God.

14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was much distressed [over what he had done] and set his mind on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored until the sun went down to rescue him.

Upon realizing the trap set for Daniel, King Darius is deeply distressed and seeks a way to save him.

15 Then these same men came thronging [by agreement] to the king and said, Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed or repealed.

The officials remind the king that the law of the Medes and Persians cannot be changed, reinforcing the predicament Daniel faces.

Daniel 6:16-28 (AMPC) - Daniel in the Den of Lions

16 Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king said to Daniel, May your God, Whom you are serving continually, deliver you!

Reluctantly, King Darius orders Daniel to be thrown into the den of lions but expresses his hope for Daniel's deliverance by his God.

17 And a stone was brought and laid upon the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own [signet] ring and with the signet rings of his lords, that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.

The entrance to the den is sealed with a stone and the king's seal, ensuring that Daniel cannot be rescued.

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

King Darius spends a sleepless night in deep concern for Daniel's fate, fasting and refraining from entertainment.

19 Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions.

At dawn, King Darius hurries to the den of lions to see what has happened to Daniel.

20 And when he came to the den and to Daniel, he cried out in a voice of anguish. The king said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is your God, Whom you serve continually, able to deliver you from the lions?

King Darius calls out to Daniel, addressing him as a servant of the living God and expressing his hope for Daniel's deliverance.

21 Then Daniel said to the king, O king, live forever!

Daniel responds with respect and addresses the king's concern.

22 My God has sent His angel and has shut the lions' mouths so that they could not hurt me, because I was found innocent and blameless before Him; and also before you, O king, [as you very well know] I have done no harm or wrong.

Daniel testifies that God sent His angel to protect him because he was innocent and blameless. He affirms his integrity before God and the king.?

23 Then the king was exceedingly glad and commanded that Daniel should be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no hurt or harm was found on him because he believed in (relied on, adhered to, and trusted in) his God.

King Darius is overjoyed and orders Daniel to be lifted from the den, finding him unharmed due to his unwavering faith in God.

24 And the king commanded, and those men who had accused Daniel were brought and cast into the den of lions, they, their children, and their wives; and before they ever reached the bottom of the den, the lions had overpowered them and had broken their bones in pieces.

The conspirators who accused Daniel, along with their families, are cast into the den of lions and meet a swift and severe judgment.

25 Then King Darius wrote to all peoples, nations, and languages [in his realm] that dwelt in all the earth: May peace be multiplied to you!

King Darius writes a decree, expressing his desire for peace to all the inhabitants of his kingdom.

26 I make a decree that in all my royal dominion men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for He is the living God, enduring and steadfast forever, and His kingdom shall not be destroyed and His dominion shall be even to the end [of the world].

The king decrees that all people should fear and reverence the God of Daniel, acknowledging God's eternal and unshakable sovereignty.

27 He is a Savior and Deliverer, and He works signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth—He Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

King Darius proclaims God as a Savior and Deliverer who performs signs and wonders, specifically referencing Daniel's miraculous deliverance from the lions.

28 So this [man] Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

As a result of his faithfulness and the recognition of God's power, Daniel prospers during the reign of King Darius and later during the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Relevance to Today's Believers:

Faith and Integrity: Daniel's unwavering faith in God and his integrity serve as a powerful example for believers today. His commitment to prayer and obedience to God's law, even in the face of persecution, demonstrates the importance of living a life of faith and moral uprightness.

God's Protection: Daniel's miraculous deliverance from the den of lions highlights God's power to protect and rescue His faithful servants. This narrative encourages believers to trust in God's providence, even when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges.

The Sovereignty of God: King Darius's recognition of God's enduring and unshakable sovereignty serves as a reminder that God's kingdom is eternal and that all nations and rulers are ultimately subject to His authority.

Consequences of Conspiracy: The swift judgment that befalls those who conspired against Daniel underscores the principle that God upholds justice and holds wrongdoers accountable.

Proclamation of Faith: King Darius's decree encouraging people to fear and reverence the God of Daniel offers a powerful example of a secular ruler acknowledging the greatness of God. It reminds contemporary believers of the potential impact of their faith on the world around them.

In summary, Daniel Chapter 6 provides contemporary believers with lessons on faith, integrity, God's protection, His sovereignty, and the potential influence of their faith in secular contexts. This exposition delves into the chapter, revealing its relevance and transformative potential in the lives of believers today, encouraging them to stand firm in their faith and trust in the unchanging God.

If You have Ears To Hear, Then Hear It!