Daniel in the Lions' Den

Daniel 6
My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me. Daniel 6:22

King Darius of Babylon chose 120 princes to rule his kingdom. He also chose three presidents over these princes. Daniel, a righteous man, was the first of the three presidents "because an excellent spirit was in him" (Daniel 6:3; see also Daniel 6:12).

The other presidents and princes were jealous of Daniel. They tried to find a reason to complain to the king about him, but they could not. (See Daniel 6:4.)

Finally, the other rulers decided on a plan to get Daniel in trouble. They knew that Daniel prayed every day. So they asked King Darius to sign a decree that for the next 30 days no one could ask a favor of any God or man, except of the king. Anyone who disobeyed the decree would be thrown into a den of lions. King Darius signed the decree. (See Daniel 6:59.)

Though Daniel heard about the decree, he continued to pray three times a day in his home, as he had done before (see Daniel 6:10). The jealous rulers saw Daniel praying (see Daniel 6:11). They went to King Darius and reminded him, "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, "The thing is true" (Daniel 6:12). They then informed the king that Daniel had been praying to his God (see Daniel 6:13).

The king loved Daniel and did not want him to be killed. He tried to find a way to save Daniel, but he could not change the decree. (See Daniel 6:1415.) So Daniel was thrown into the den of lions. The sorrowful king told Daniel, "Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee" (Daniel 6:16). A large rock was placed over the opening to the lions' den (see Daniel 6:17).

King Darius spent the night fasting. He could not sleep. Early in the morning he hurried to the den of lions. (See Daniel 6:1819.) The anguished king cried out, "O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?" (Daniel 6:20).

From within the den came Daniel's voice: "My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me" (Daniel 6:22).

The king was joyful. He commanded that Daniel be taken out of the den. Because of Daniel's faith, God had protected him. (See Daniel 6:23.)

The men who had accused Daniel were thrown into the den and were killed by the lions (see Daniel 6:24). King Darius signed another decree that everyone in his kingdom should fear and tremble before Daniel's God (see Daniel 6:2527).

Summary

Powerful men were jealous of Daniel, who was favored by King Darius. These men tricked the king into signing a law which said that anyone who prayed, except to him, would be cast into a den of lions. Daniel knew this but still prayed to God three times a day. When Daniel was caught praying, King Darius tried to save Daniel but could not. Daniel was thrown into the den of lions. Early the next morning the king ran to the lions' den. Daniel was safe. He had been protected by an angel sent from God.

Artist, Clark Kelley Price

© 2002 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA

My Word: We often teach this miracle from the viewpoint of Daniel being saved from the lions. There is another miracle. I wonder about King Darius...was he so easily flattered into making ultimatums? It seems a bit contradictory to me that he couldn't undo the decree until after Daniel received his punishment yet...within a short period he sent out another decree telling the "kingdom to tremble and fear the God of Daniel"...see verse 26. He seems a little wishy-washy to me but I could be wrong. So...what is the other miracle? Darius loved Daniel so much he broke his own decree by fasting (true fasting is accompanied by prayer.) He obviously wasn't praying to himself!

Quote that I have written in my scriptures (it's been there a long time!) but I don't know who said it:

"When someone says something unkind about me, I will live so no one will believe it."

For some reason the story of Daniel and Darius reminds me of this quote. Darius knew of the goodness of Daniel, he never doubted Daniel's integrity.

ASSIGNMENT: Live in such a way that you can go forth with boldness...not arrogance but gentle confidence. You decide what you want people to say or think about you! Live in such a way that if something negative is said it will not be believed...especially by you! Make a list of attributes you want to have and get to work.