Daniel 6

Daniel 6:1

VI. DECREE OF DARIUS AND THE DEN OF LIONS (Chap. 6)6:1-3 In this chapter, one of the best known in the whole Bible, Daniel is living under Persian rule. He has been promoted by Darius the king to become one of three governors to be over the one hundred and twenty satraps. Due to the excellent spirit in Daniel, Darius gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. 6:4-8 Officials who were jealous of Daniel and who knew that they would never find him guilty of any real crime persuaded the king to pass a law forbidding prayer to anyone but Darius for thirty days. Once the decree became law, it could not be changed. Daniel’s steadfastness is a challenge to us (1Pe_3:13-17). 6:9-13 King Darius signed the written decree, but Daniel continued to pray to God . . . three times daily, and his enemies quickly reported him to the king. 6:14-17 Darius labored till sunset to free Daniel, but the decree was unalterable, so he was compelled to have Daniel cast . . . into the den of lions. Nevertheless, this pagan king encouraged Daniel that the God whom Daniel served continually would deliver him. It is beautiful to see how even unbelievers will sometimes pick up on the faith and morals of consistent believers whom they observe at close hand. Only too often Christians fail their unsaved friends and relatives by not having as high standards of faith and practice as the world expects from God’s people. 6:18-28 Rejecting his usual nightly entertainment, Darius spent the night fasting. Very early in the morning, the worried king . . . went in haste to the den and found the Jewish prophet unharmed by the lions. In typical fashion the devout prophet gave the Lord the glory: “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me.“Then Daniel’s accusers were cast to the lions and devoured. The result of all this was that King Darius issued a decree to all peoples, nations, and languages honoring the God of Daniel.