Daniel 6
Daniel Preferred by Darius.This section describes how Daniel became an important leader under King Darius, who ruled after Babylon was conquered. Daniel’s wisdom and honesty made him stand out, but his success also made others jealous. The story shows how true character and faithfulness to God can bring honor, but also opposition from those who are envious.v. 1: When Darius became king of Babylon, he reorganized the government. He set up 120 princes to govern the kingdom and make sure everything ran well . These officials were responsible for keeping peace, managing justice, and collecting taxes. This system helped Darius rule such a large area. v. 2: Over the 120 princes, Darius appointed three presidents to oversee them and to protect the king’s interests . Daniel was one of these presidents. Their job was to make sure the princes ruled fairly, so the king would not be cheated or the people oppressed. Daniel quickly became the most trusted leader among them. v. 3: Daniel was preferred above the other presidents and princes because he had an excellent spirit and showed great wisdom. The king thought about putting Daniel in charge of the whole kingdom . Darius recognized Daniel’s honesty and skill, even though Daniel was from a nation that had been conquered and was now very old. Daniel’s faithfulness to God and to his work brought him respect and promotion. This shows that true virtue will be honored, even by those from other nations. v. 4: Daniel was faithful and trustworthy in his duties. He was so careful that his enemies could not find any mistake or fault in his work . He never acted dishonestly or carelessly. This is an example for everyone in positions of trust to be both careful and honest in all they do. v. 5: The other leaders became jealous of Daniel’s success and tried to find something wrong with him. They watched him closely, looking for any mistake. But they realized that the only way to accuse him would be about his faith and obedience to God . Daniel stayed loyal to God without hiding his beliefs, even while he served the king. This shows the importance of living in such a way that the only fault people can find in us is our faithfulness to God. A Plot against Daniel.This section explains how Daniel’s enemies created a new law to trap him. They knew that Daniel was faithful to God and would not stop praying, even if it meant breaking the law. The story highlights both the wickedness of Daniel’s enemies and the courage of Daniel’s faith.v. 6–7: The other leaders could not find anything wrong with Daniel, so they decided to make a new law that would put him in danger. They went to King Darius and convinced him to pass a law that no one could pray to any god or man except the king for thirty days. Anyone who broke this law would be thrown into the den of lions (Daniel 6:7 a). The leaders pretended that everyone agreed with the law, even though Daniel did not. Their real plan was to attack Daniel’s faith in God, but they made it sound like an honor for the king. – v. 8–9: The leaders urged Darius to sign the law and make it official. According to the rules of the Medes and Persians, once a law was signed, it could not be changed. Darius, not realizing the trap, signed the law (Daniel 6:9 b). The law was unfair and foolish, because it made it a crime to ask anyone—even God—for help. – v. 10: When Daniel learned about the new law, he did not hide or stop his prayers. He went to his house, opened his windows towards Jerusalem, and prayed as he always did—three times a day, kneeling and giving thanks to God . Daniel was not afraid to show his faith, even when it was dangerous. He wanted to honor God more than he feared for his life. Daniel’s practice of prayer was regular, humble, and thankful. He kept looking towards Jerusalem, remembering God’s promises and showing his love for his people (1 Kings 8:48–49; Psalm 55:17 c). Daniel in the Den of Lions.This section tells how Daniel’s enemies caught him praying, reported him to the king, and demanded that Daniel be punished. Even though Daniel was innocent, the law of the Medes and Persians could not be changed. Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den, but King Darius hoped that Daniel’s God would save him. The story shows the danger of jealous people, the weakness of human laws, and the power of faith in God.v. 11: Daniel’s enemies watched him closely and found him praying and asking God for help. They saw that Daniel would not change his faith or habits, even when the law was against him . Daniel’s courage is an example for us to keep honoring God, even when it is not easy or safe.Daniel’s enemies gathered together and found him praying and asking God for help, even though the new law said it was forbidden . They wanted to catch him in the act, and they did. Like David, Daniel gave himself to prayer, even when it was risky (Psalm 109:4 d). v. 12: The men went straight to the king and reminded him of the law. They asked the king if the law really said that no one could pray to any god or man except the king for thirty days. The king confirmed that the law could not be changed . v. 13: Then they accused Daniel, saying he was one of the captives from Judah and did not respect the king or the law. They tried to make Daniel look rebellious and disrespectful, even though he was only being faithful to God. Sometimes, people will twist good actions to make them look bad . v. 14: The king was very upset when he realized that Daniel was the one in trouble. He understood that the law had been used as a trap for Daniel and was angry with himself for agreeing to it. Darius tried all day to find a way to save Daniel, but he could not change the law . v. 15: Daniel’s enemies insisted that the law must be enforced exactly. They reminded the king that, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, no decree or statute that the king established could be changed (Daniel 6:15; Esther 1:19; 8:8 e). This made it impossible for Darius to rescue Daniel, even though he wanted to. v. 16: With great sadness, the king ordered Daniel to be thrown into the den of lions. Darius told Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee . Darius believed that God was able to save Daniel, especially after hearing about the deliverance of Daniel’s friends from the fiery furnace. He hoped that God would protect Daniel for being faithful. v. 17: A stone was placed over the mouth of the den, and it was sealed with the king’s signet and the signets of his lords so that no one could rescue Daniel. This made the situation look hopeless, but God was about to show His power . Daniel's Preservation and Deliverance.This section shows how God protected Daniel in the den of lions and how King Darius responded. The king was troubled and could not sleep, but God kept Daniel safe all night. In the morning, Daniel was found alive, and his enemies were punished instead. The story teaches us about God’s power to save, faithfulness to those who trust Him, and the justice that comes to those who do evil.v. 18: That night, King Darius was very sad and worried about Daniel. He went back to his palace but did not eat or listen to music. He could not sleep at all because he felt guilty for letting Daniel be thrown into the lions’ den . This shows that a guilty conscience can take away our peace and rest. v. 19–20: Early the next morning, the king hurried to the lions’ den. He called out anxiously to Daniel, hoping he was still alive. Darius called Daniel the “servant of the living God” and asked, Has thy God, whom thou servest continually, been able to deliver thee from the lions? (Daniel 6:19–20 f). The king showed respect for Daniel’s God and hoped for a miracle. – v. 21–22: Daniel answered the king with respect, saying, O king, live for ever. He told Darius that God had sent His angel to shut the lions’ mouths, so they did not hurt him. Daniel said he was innocent before God and the king. He did not blame Darius but gave the glory to God for saving him (Daniel 6:21–22 g). God’s protection was a sign of Daniel’s faith and God’s power. – v. 23: The king was overjoyed and ordered Daniel to be taken out of the den. Daniel was not hurt at all because he trusted in his God . This is a lesson that those who trust God can find safety, even in great danger. v. 24: The king then punished Daniel’s accusers. They and their families were thrown into the lions’ den, and the lions immediately killed them . This showed that the lions were hungry and the miracle was real. It also fulfilled the rule that those who plan evil for others may face the same punishment themselves (Deuteronomy 19:18–19; Psalm 7:15–16 h; Proverbs 11:8 i). The Decree of Darius.After Daniel was saved from the lions, King Darius wanted to make up for the wrong he had done to Daniel and to honor Daniel’s God. He did this by making a public decree to all the people in his kingdom. This decree was meant to show respect for God and to let everyone know about the power and greatness of the God who saved Daniel.v. 25: Darius wrote to all the people, nations, and languages in his kingdom, saying, Peace be multiplied unto you . He wanted everyone under his rule to hear about the true God. Even though his kingdom did not cover the whole world, he spoke as a powerful king with many subjects. v. 26: In his decree, Darius commanded that all people should “tremble and fear before the God of Daniel.” This went further than Nebuchadnezzar’s earlier decree, because Darius wanted everyone to show respect and awe for God, not just to avoid speaking against Him. Darius called God the “living God” whose kingdom and power never end. He recognized that God’s rule is unchangeable and eternal . v. 27: Darius explained why everyone should honor the God of Daniel. He said, He delivers and rescues, and he works signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions . Darius saw that God is able to save His servants and do miracles, and he wanted the whole kingdom to know it. v. 28: God honored Daniel for his faithfulness. Daniel became even more successful and respected during the reigns of Darius and Cyrus (Daniel 6:28 j). God turned the evil plans of Daniel’s enemies into good, and Daniel’s position allowed him to help his people even more. This shows how God can bring blessings out of difficult situations.
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