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Daniel 6

 

Daniel Chapter Six

Daniel 6:1

“It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom;”

Daniel 6:1

“It pleased Darius”

  • Darius was the king of the Medes that overthrew Belshazzar

an hundred and twenty princes,”

  • Princes: satraps, provincial governors, who were to reign over 120 regions 

 

Daniel 6:2

“And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.”

Daniel 6:2

“And over these three presidents”

  • Over the 120 regions were three presidents

of whom Daniel was first:”

  • First: better translated “one”
  • Daniel was “one” of the three presidents

that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.”

  • The princes would report their income to the three presidents
  • No damage: means no loss of income
     

Daniel 6:3

“Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.”

Daniel 6:3

“Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes,”

  • The king preferred Daniel over all of his princes and presidents

because an excellent spirit was in him;”

  • Daniel was filled with God’s Spirit
  • Daniel was a man of integrity, honesty, and faithfulness

the king thought to set him over the whole realm.”

  • Daniel was so capable that the king was considering making Daniel in charge of the whole realm

Daniel 6:4

“Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.”

Daniel 6:4

“Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom;”

  • The princes and presidents were jealous of Daniel and his influence with the king and were looking for something to accuse him of

but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.”

  • Daniel was a prior slave, elderly (mid 80’s), and a prior Babylonian leader yet they could find no fault!
  • This is quite a testimony to Daniel’s character



 

Daniel 6:5

“Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”

Daniel 6:5

“We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel,”

  • They realized that Daniel’s character was of the highest caliber

except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”

  • The only thing they could use against Daniel was his religion
  • Daniel did not work on Saturday, he refused to worship false gods and he prayed three times a day
  • They decided to use Daniel’s religion to trap him
     

Daniel 6:6

“Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.”

Daniel 6:6

“Then these presidents and princes”

  • These does not refer to all the princes but to those who conspired against Daniel

assembled together to the king,”

  • They went to the king to propose a new law

 

Daniel 6:7

“All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.”

Daniel 6:7

“All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together”

  • This was clearly a lie since Daniel was one of those listed
  • Probably many others were also not involved
  • This lie was said to convince the king to accept their proposal

 to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree,”

  • To pass a law

that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king,”

  • A law that will require everyone to pray only to the king and to no other God
  • This type of law was not unusual in ancient times since many kings considered themselves deity

shall be cast into the den of lions.”

  • Wild animals were often captured by these kingdoms
  • This type of capital punishment was not previously described for Persia

 

Daniel 6:8

“Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.”

Daniel 6:8

that it be not changed,”

  • The Medes and Persians required by law that once the law was signed it could not be changed
  • The conspirators probably suspected that the king might change his mind if he knew that Daniel would be harmed
  • The Medes and Persians shared dominion of the world but Persia became dominant

 

Daniel 6:9

“Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.”

Daniel 6:9

signed the writing and the decree.”

  • The king signed this decree probably because it was flattering to his pride
  • Pride goes before a fall!

Daniel 6:10

“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 kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.”

Daniel 6:10

“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed,”

  • Daniel understood the risks of praying to his God after the law was signed

he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees”

  • Daniel could have closed his windows
  • Daniel refused to compromise his beliefs 

 three times a day,”

  • Daniel prayed three times a day and would not change because of a death penalty
  • This became a custom of orthodox Jews and some early Christians

and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.”

  • Daniel praised God, as he had done before, even though his life was at risk
     

Daniel 6:11

“Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.”

 

Daniel 6:11

“Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying”

  • These men came together to catch Daniel
  • It did not take long to catch Daniel praying!
  • How long would it take to catch us?

 

Daniel 6:12

“Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.”

Daniel 6:12

“Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree;”

  • They now went to the king to report Daniel because they wanted Daniel dead

“Hast thou not signed a decree,

  • The king already knew he had signed this decree but they were trying to get the king to restate it and to remind him that he could not change it 

 

Daniel 6:13

“Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.”

Daniel 6:13

“That Daniel,”

  • They did not address Daniel as president or prince

which is of the children of the captivity of Judah,”

  • They are reminding the king of Daniel’s lowly status (slave, foreigner)

regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed,”

  • Daniel is disobedient and unfaithful to you, the king  

 

Daniel 6:14

“Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.”

Daniel 6:14

“Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself,”

  • The king was upset for falling for their trick
  • The king realized that the law was not about honoring him but about killing Daniel

set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.”

  • The king tried all day to find a legal loophole to save Daniel

Daniel 6:15

“Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.”

Daniel 6:15

 ”Then these men assembled unto the king”

  • These men (the conspirators) now returned for the second time that day to the king
  • They were waiting for the king to put Daniel in the lions den and probably were worried he would not do it

“Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.”

  • They again remind the king that there is nothing he can do to change the law as if he did not know (this probably did not endear them to the king)

 

Daniel 6:16

“Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.”

Daniel 6:16

“Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions.”

  • The king was forced to follow his rules
  • Daniel was cast into the lions den

“Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.”

  • This was probably his hope but not his belief
  • Compare this to Nebuchadnezzar’s comment “who is that God” (Daniel 3:15)

 

Daniel 6:17

“And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.”

Daniel 6:17

“And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it”

  • The stone was placed so that Daniel could not escape
  • However, the stone also would keep anyone from getting to Daniel to harm him

 the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.”

  • The king did not trust the lords and the lords did not trust the king!

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.”

 

Daniel 6:18

“Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting:”

  • The king was very upset and fasted for Daniel

neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.”

  • The word translated “instruments of musick” probably is better translated “diversions” (could be food, concubines, or entertainers)
  • The king could not sleep

Daniel 6:19

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

Daniel 6:19

“Then the king arose very early in the morning,”

  • The king could not sleep worried about Daniel

went in haste unto the den of lions”

  • The king went in haste to see Daniel

 

Daniel 6:20

“And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?”

Daniel 6:20

he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel:”

  • The king was very anxious and his voice was sad and anxious

said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God,”

  • Daniel must have told the king about the living God

is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?”

  • The king was not sure like Daniel was!

 

Daniel 6:21

“Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.”

 

Daniel 6:21

“O king, live for ever.”

  • This was a common ceremonial greeting to kings
  • This greeting must have been a surprise to the worried king!

Daniel 6:22

“My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.”

Daniel 6:22

“My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me:”

  • Daniel gives all the glory to his God
  • God saved me, I did not save myself

forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me;”

  • God found me innocent and saved me
  • God judged me worthy and saved me 

 also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.”

  • Daniel is reminding the king that Daniel did not do anything that harmed the king
  • The king was probably well aware of this!

Daniel 6:23

“Then was the king exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.”

Daniel 6:23

“Then was the king exceedingly glad for him”

  • The king was very happy that Daniel was alive

commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den.”

  • The decree had been fulfilled “cast into the den”
  • The decree was to throw the person into the den of lions, not to kill the person or the king would have been forced to kill Daniel
  • This shows that God was at work saving Daniel even before the law was made

 no manner of hurt was found upon him,”

  • Daniel did not even have a scratch or a bruise from being thrown into the den of lion

because he believed in his God.”

  • Daniel was saved by faith (Hebrews 11:33)
     

Daniel 6:24

“And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.”

Daniel 6:24

“And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions,”

  • The king now repays Daniel’s accusers
  • They are given what they gave to Daniel
  • Some suggest that all 122 of the leaders would not fit into the den, however, this does not say all but only the accusers

 their children, and their wives;”

  • It was not unusual in ancient times to punish entire families for the fathers errors

and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.”

  • These lions were hungry! (this eliminates the argument that Daniel was not harmed because the lions were not hungry)
                             

 

Daniel 6:25

“Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.”

Daniel 6:25

king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth;”

  • The king now sends a message to his entire realm

“Peace be multiplied unto you.”

  • A common greeting
     

Daniel 6:26

“I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.”

Daniel 6:26

“I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom”

  • Darius now makes another decree
  • This decree will honor God instead of blaspheme Him

men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel:”

  • Darius is trying to force worship to a God he does not know
  • Requiring worship was also a common custom of ancient societies

 for he is the living God,”

  • Darius calls God the living God but does not call Him the true God (ancients believed in polytheistic religions with many gods)
  • Darius is convinced that God is alive based on Daniel’s experience

stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.”

  • Daniel’s God is steadfast forever (He can be trusted)
  • Daniel’s God will reign forever

Daniel 6:27

“He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”

Daniel 6:27

“He delivereth and rescueth,”

  • Darius is amazed at Daniel’s delivery and is giving God credit

he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”

  • God can shut the mouths of lions
  • God saved Daniel 

 

Daniel 6:28

“So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.”

Daniel 6:28

“So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius,”

  • Daniel prospered under king Darius the Mede

and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.”

  • Daniel also prospered under Cyrus the Persian who took over Babylon after Darius

Summary

  • Daniel chapter six tells the story of Daniel and the lions den
  • King Darius the Mede wants to promote Daniel
  • The other princes and presidents are jealous and conspire to get the king to make a decree that no one can call on or pray to any god for 30 days, but must pray to the king only
  • Daniel refuses to compromise and is thrown into the den of lions
  • God intervenes and saves Daniel
  • The king is overjoyed and destroys Daniel’s accusers and makes a new decree that his kingdom should tremble and fear before Daniel’s God
  • In the last days God’s people will also face a death penalty arranged by the government
  • Just as Daniel’s faith saved him, so also the righteous will be saved by their faith
  • Just as Daniel refused to compromise, so also God’s people must not compromise at the time of the end

 

 

Daniel Chapter 6