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.
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 counsellers, 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.
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.
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.
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 musick 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.
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.
28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Overview of Daniel Chapter 6
Daniel Chapter 6 is a pivotal chapter in the Book of Daniel, showcasing themes of faith, integrity, and divine deliverance. It narrates the story of Daniel in the lion’s den, illustrating the consequences of jealousy and the power of unwavering faith in God.
Key Characters
- Daniel: A high-ranking official in the Persian Empire known for his exceptional qualities and faithfulness to God.
- Darius the Mede: The king who recognizes Daniel’s capabilities and appoints him as one of the three administrators over the kingdom.
- Other Administrators and Satraps: Officials who conspire against Daniel due to jealousy over his favored status with the king.
- God: The central figure in the narrative, who ultimately delivers Daniel from the lions.
Summary of Events
- Appointment of Daniel: Darius appoints Daniel as one of three administrators to oversee the kingdom, recognizing his exceptional qualities (Daniel 6:1-3).
- Jealous Conspiracy: Other administrators and satraps plot against Daniel, seeking to find grounds for charges against him but find none due to his integrity (Daniel 6:4-5).
- Decree Against Prayer: The conspirators convince King Darius to issue a decree that anyone who prays to any god or human other than the king for thirty days would be thrown into the lion’s den (Daniel 6:6-9).
- Daniel’s Faithfulness: Despite the decree, Daniel continues to pray to God three times a day, demonstrating his unwavering faith (Daniel 6:10).
- Daniel’s Arrest: The conspirators catch Daniel praying and report him to the king, who is distressed but bound by his own decree (Daniel 6:11-15).
- Daniel in the Lion’s Den: Darius reluctantly orders Daniel to be thrown into the lion’s den, expressing hope that Daniel’s God will rescue him (Daniel 6:16-17).
- Divine Deliverance: God sends an angel to shut the lions’ mouths, and Daniel emerges unharmed the next morning (Daniel 6:18-23).
- Judgment on the Conspirators: Darius orders the conspirators and their families to be thrown into the lion’s den, where they are immediately devoured (Daniel 6:24).
- Darius’s Decree: King Darius issues a decree that all people in his kingdom must fear and reverence the God of Daniel (Daniel 6:25-27).
- Daniel’s Prosperity: The chapter concludes with a note about Daniel’s continued success and prominence in the kingdom (Daniel 6:28).
Themes
- Faith and Integrity: Daniel’s commitment to prayer, despite the threat of death, exemplifies his unwavering faith and integrity.
- Divine Protection: The miraculous deliverance of Daniel from the lions highlights God’s power to protect His faithful servants.
- Consequences of Jealousy: The conspirators’ jealousy leads to their downfall, emphasizing the destructive nature of envy.
- Authority and Worship: Darius’s decree reflects a recognition of God’s sovereignty and the importance of worshiping Him above earthly authorities.
Interpretations and Applications
Daniel Chapter 6 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God in the face of adversity. It encourages believers to maintain their spiritual practices, such as prayer, regardless of external pressures. The chapter also illustrates the idea that God is sovereign and can intervene in seemingly impossible situations, providing hope and assurance to those who trust in Him.
Conclusion
In summary, Daniel Chapter 6 is a compelling narrative that emphasizes faith, integrity, and divine intervention. It serves as an enduring lesson on the importance of standing firm in one’s beliefs and the assurance of God’s protection for those who remain faithful to Him.
