The Book of Daniel: Chapter 6

Chapter 6:1-5
{1} It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; {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. {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. {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. {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.

The word rendered princes here is found only in Daniel in Chaldean form. It is a word of Persian origin. The word undoubtedly refers to the Persian satraps, or governors, or viceroys in the large provinces. They possessed both civil and military powers. "Three presidents." Darius set three presidents over the 120 satraps. Daniel was ranked first among these three. His original placement probably was due in part to his previous position in the Babylonian empire and his known integrity. "Daniel was preferred." The personality and attitude of Daniel must have been one of true cooperation. Even though he had many opportunities to grow bitter, he sought to perform his duties well. The king was so pleased with Daniel’s service, that he thought about making him ruler over all of his kingdom. When the other presidents and some of the satraps tried to find an occasion against Daniel (this word means a cause or pretext), they couldn’t find anything to accuse him with. They came to the conclusion that the only area where they could find anything against Daniel was in his faithfulness to his God.

Chapter 6:6-9
{6} Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever. {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. {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. {9} Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.

"King Darius live for ever." This was the greeting used to address the king. It was to show respect and loyalty. It was somewhat of a formality and was not always used truthfully as most formalities are spoken with little thought of their meaning. This group then proceeded to give a false impression to the king. They stated that all of the presidents, governors, princes, counselors, and captains have consulted together. This was not true, for they had not consulted with Daniel. The king was led to act foolishly because he did not check the authenticity of their claim. They wanted the king to make a decree that no one could ask a petition of anyone other than the king for thirty days. The individual who disobeyed, was to be thrown into the lion’s den. They appealed to the king’s vanity. They wanted the decree signed so that the law could not be changed. The law of the Medes and the Persians was based on two assumptions. They believed that the law could not be changed after it was signed by the king. This was based on the assumption the king could do no wrong. The king signed the decree.

Chapter 6:10-11
{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. {11} Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.

When Daniel knew that the decree was signed, he went to his house and prayed toward Jerusalem three times a day and gave thanks. I Kings 8:44 ff, gives an instruction for the Jews to pray toward Jerusalem and the temple when in special need. Then the men, who were striving to remove Daniel, came and found him praying. The indication is clear, that Daniel did not do this because he wanted to challenge the law. Daniel was doing only as he was accustomed to do. If they had not been seeking to trap Daniel, they would not have noticed him.

Chapter 6:12-16
{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. {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. {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. {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. {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.

The enemies of Daniel accused him before the king. When the king heard the accusation against Daniel, he was sorry, for he respected Daniel greatly. However, he did not recognize his error and change the law. He made some effort to deliver Daniel, but we are not told what it was. He could have made a law which would have counteracted the first law as in the time of Esther. Daniel was cast into the lions den. The king almost seems to indicate a faith in the power of the God of Daniel to deliver him. This was undoubtedly due also to the righteous character of Daniel.

Chapter 6:17-23
{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. {18} Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of music brought before him: and his sleep went from him. {19} Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. {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? {21} Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. {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. {23} Then was the king exceeding 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.

The opening to the den was sealed by a large stone and then it was sealed with the king’s signet. The king spent the night in fasting. He would not allow any music before him to comfort him. He could not sleep. This shows that strong feeling of respect that the king had toward Daniel. The king arose very early in the morning. This would be a natural effect, for he had lain awake all night, thinking about Daniel. He cried to Daniel with a voice full of anxious solicitude. The king recognized that Daniel served God continually. This gives us insight unto the consistent life that Daniel lived, that the king should recognize the character of Daniel in this respect. In verses 21 and 22 we find Daniel’s answer. He addresses the king with the accepted greeting "O King live for ever." Daniel relates that God sent an angel to shut the lions mouths. It is obvious that the lions were also restrained in all other respects for they could have clawed Daniel otherwise. Daniel gives the reason as being that he was found to be innocent. It is interesting to note that Daniel states that he was innocent before the king. It is possible that Daniel was not making a request to God when his enemies found him. His prayer might have consisted of thanksgiving. The King was exceeding glad that Daniel was delivered and had him removed. Daniel was not hurt in any manner.

Chapter 6:24-27
{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. {25} Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. {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. {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.

The king commanded that those, who had accused Daniel, be brought and cast into the lions’ den with their wives and children. The lions overcame them, and broke their bones in pieces. Then the king made a decree to all the people of his kingdom, that they should tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. Darius was impressed by the power of God.

Chapter 6:28
{28} So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Daniel prospered during the reigns of Darius and Cyrus.

Introductory Comments

Bibliography