Words in italic type have been added for clarity. They are not found in the original Hebrew or Aramaic.

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Daniel 6

The Plot Against Daniel

Daniel 6:¹ It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom;

Daniel 6:² and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss.

Daniel 6:³ Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.

Daniel 6:⁴ So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him.

Daniel 6:⁵ Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God (‘ĕlâ).”

Daniel 6:⁶ So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: “King Darius, live forever!

Daniel 6:⁷ All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.

Daniel 6:⁸ Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter (Lit. does not pass away).”

Daniel 6: ⁹ Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.

Daniel in the Lions’ Den

Daniel 6:¹⁰ Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God (‘ĕlâ), as was his custom since early days.

Daniel 6:¹¹ Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God (ĕlâ).

Daniel 6:¹² And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king’s decree: “Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, 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 does not alter (Lit. does not pass away).”

Daniel 6:¹³ So they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, who is one of the captives (Lit. of the sons of the captivity) from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”

Daniel 6:¹⁴ And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored (strove) till the going down of the sun to deliver him.

Daniel 6:¹⁵ Then these men approached (Lit. thronged before) the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.”

Daniel 6:¹⁶ So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God (‘ĕlâ), whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.”

Daniel 6:¹⁷ Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.

• The Stone covered the mouth of the den and was sealed, just as a Stone covered the mouth of Jesus’ tomb and was sealed. Satan is a lying “Lion” waiting to devour anyone sealed by the Stone of God.

Daniel Saved from the Lions

Daniel 6:¹⁸ Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep went (Or fled) from him.

Daniel 6:¹⁹ Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions.

Daniel 6:²⁰ And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting (Or grieved) voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God (‘ĕlâ), has your God (‘ĕlâ), whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”

Daniel 6:²¹ Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever!

Daniel 6:²² My God (‘ĕlâ) sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”

Daniel 6:²³ Now the king was 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 injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God (‘ĕlâ).

Darius Honors God

Daniel 6:²⁴ And the king gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions—them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.

Daniel 6:²⁵ Then King Darius wrote:

To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth:

Peace be multiplied to you.

Daniel 6:²⁶ I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God (‘ĕlâ) of Daniel.

For He is the living God (‘ĕlâ),
And steadfast forever;
His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed,
And His dominion shall endure to the end.

• Darius is prophesying about Jesus’ reign on earth during the 1,000 year millennium:
  • Psalm 45:6 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
  • Isaiah 9:7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
  • Matthew 6:13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
  • Luke 1:33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
  • Hebrews 1:8 But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
  • Revelation 11:15 Seventh Trumpet: The Kingdom Proclaimed –
  • Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”

Daniel 6:²⁷ He delivers and rescues,
And He works signs and wonders
In heaven and on earth,
Who has delivered Daniel from the power (Lit. hand) of the lions.

• Darius continues to prophecy:
  • Acts 2:²² “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—

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

• Daniel trusted God through his captivity, being hated by the Satraps, and being thrown into the lion’s den…and he prospered.

Side Notes on Chart Above:

• Queen Esther married Artaxerxes I Longimanus Makrocheir. The name “Longimanus” means “The Long Arm” (of his kingdom).
• When Alexander the Great conquered the reigning Persian king Darius III he married the dead king’s Darius’ daughter, Stateira II. One of Alexander’s generals Hephaestion, married Stateira II‘s sister Drypetis.
• The girl’s mother, Sisygambis took Alexander on as her own son.
• Darius I’s brother in law was the current king until king Smerdis’ death. After his death Gaumata impersonated Smerdis before Darius I killed Gaumata.