Daniel6
New American Standard
1It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps over the kingdom, to be in charge of the whole kingdom,
2and over them, three commissioners (of whom Daniel was one), so that these satraps would be accountable to them, and that the king would not suffer loss.
3Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself among the commissioners and satraps because he possessed an extraordinary spirit, and the king intended to appoint him over the entire kingdom.
4Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel regarding government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him.
5Then these men said, “We will not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we find it against him regarding the law of his God.”
6Then these commissioners and satraps came by agreement to the king and spoke to him as follows: “King Darius, live forever!
7All the commissioners of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors, have consulted together that the king should establish a statute and enforce an injunction that anyone who offers a prayer to any god or person besides you, O king, for thirty days, shall be thrown into the lions’ den.
8Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document so that it will not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked.”
9Thereupon, King Darius signed the document, that is, the injunction.
10Now when Daniel learned that the document was signed, he entered his house (and in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and offering praise before his God, just as he had been doing previously.
11Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel offering a prayer and imploring favor before his God.
12Then they approached and spoke before the king about the king’s injunction: “Did you not sign an injunction that any person who offers a prayer to any god or person besides you, O king, for thirty days, is to be thrown into the lions’ den?” The king replied, “The statement is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked.”
13Then they responded and spoke before the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the injunction which you signed, but keeps offering his prayer three times a day.”
14Then, as soon as the king heard this statement, he was deeply distressed, and set his mind on rescuing Daniel; and until sunset he kept exerting himself to save him.
15Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, “Recognize, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or statute which the king establishes may be changed.”
16Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and thrown into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “Your God whom you continually serve will Himself rescue you.”
17And a stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing would be changed regarding Daniel.
18Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting, and no entertainment was brought before him; and his sleep fled from him.
19Then the king got up at dawn, at the break of day, and went in a hurry to the lions’ den.
20And when he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice. The king began speaking and said to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you continually serve, been able to rescue you from the lions?”
21Then Daniel spoke to the king, “O king, live forever!
22My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, since I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime.”
23Then the king was very glad and gave orders for Daniel to be lifted up out of the den. So Daniel was lifted up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
24The king then gave orders, and they brought those men who had maliciously accused Daniel, and they threw them, their children, and their wives into the lions’ den; and they had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.
25Then Darius the king wrote to all the peoples, nations, and populations of all languages who were living in all the land: “May your peace be great!
26I issue a decree that in all the realm of my kingdom people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel; For He is the living God and enduring forever, And His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed, And His dominion will be forever.
27He rescues, saves, and performs signs and miracles In heaven and on earth, He who has also rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”
28So this Daniel enjoyed success in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Daniel 6.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The malice of Daniel's enemies. (1-5). His constancy in prayer. (6-10). He is cast into the lion's den. (11-17). His miraculous preservation. (18-24). The decree of Darius. (25-28).
vv1-5
We notice to the glory of God, that though Daniel was now very old, yet he was able for business, and had continued faithful to his religion. It is for the glory of God, when those who profess religion, conduct themselves so that their most watchful enemies may find no occasion for blaming them, save only in the matters of their God, in which they walk according to their consciences.
vv6-10
To forbid prayer for thirty days, is, for so long, to rob God of all the tribute he has from man, and to rob man of all the comfort he has in God. Does not every man's heart direct him, when in want or distress, to call upon God? We could not live a day without God; and can men live thirty days without prayer? Yet it is to be feared that those who, without any decree forbidding them, present no hearty, serious petitions to God for more than thirty days together, are far more numerous than those who serve him continually, with humble, thankful hearts. Persecuting laws are always made on false pretences; but it does not become Christians to make bitter complaints, or to indulge in revilings. It is good to have hours for prayer. Daniel prayed openly and avowedly; and though a man of vast business, he did not think that would excuse him from daily exercises of devotion. How inexcusable are those who have but little to do in the world, yet will not do thus much for their souls! In trying times we must take heed, lest, under pretence of discretion, we are guilty of cowardice in the cause of God. All who throw away their souls, as those certainly do that live without prayer, even if it be to save their lives, at the end will be found to be fools. Nor did Daniel only pray, and not give thanks, cutting off some part of the service to make the time of danger shorter; but he performed the whole. In a word, the duty of prayer is founded upon the sufficiency of God as an almighty Creator and Redeemer, and upon our wants as sinful creatures. To Christ we must turn our eyes. Thither let the Christian look, thither let him pray, in this land of his captivity.
vv11-17
It is no new thing for what is done faithfully, in conscience toward God, to be misrepresented as done obstinately, and in contempt of the civil powers. Through want of due thought, we often do that which afterwards, like Darius, we see cause a thousand times to wish undone again. Daniel, that venerable man, is brought as the vilest of malefactors, and is thrown into the den of lions, to be devoured, only for worshipping his God. No doubt the placing the stone was ordered by the providence of God, that the miracle of Daniel's deliverance might appear more plain; and the king sealed it with his own signet, probably lest Daniel's enemies should kill him. Let us commit our lives and souls unto God, in well-doing. We cannot place full confidence even in men whom we faithfully serve; but believers may, in all cases, be sure of the Divine favour and consolation.
Key Words
דָּֽרְיָוֵשׁ: {Darejavesh, a title (rather than name) of several Persian kings}
קוּם: {to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)}
עַל: {above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications}
מַלְכוּ: dominion (abstractly or concretely)
אֲחַשְׁדַּרְפַּן: {a satrap or governorof amain province (of Persia)}
הָוָא: to exist; used in a great variety of applications (especially in connection with other words)
כֹּל: {properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)}
עֵלָּא: above
תְּלָת: three or third
סָרֵךְ: an emir
Cross References
Daniel 6Uses identical phrasing ('excellent spirit') from the queen's description of Daniel under Belshazzar.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Solomon's prayer dedicating the temple, commanding captives to pray toward Jerusalem and their land.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
New Testament summary of faithful saints who 'through faith... stopped the mouths of lions.'
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Illustrates the unalterable nature of the laws of the Medes and Persians.
Supported by JFB
David's practice of praying three times a day (evening, morning, noon) echoed by Daniel.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels Nebuchadnezzar's challenge to God's saving power in the fiery furnace narrative.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Parallels the sending of God's angel to deliver his faithful servants from pagan executions.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels Haman's plot targeting Jewish laws that differ from those of the king.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Typological parallel of a stone placed and sealed over a pit containing God's servant.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Paul's testimony of God delivering him out of the mouth of the lion.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Darius's praise matches Nebuchadnezzar's praise of God's everlasting, indestructible dominion.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Proverb regarding a man diligent in business standing before kings rather than mean men.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The apostolic principle of obeying God rather than men when laws conflict.
Supported by John Calvin
Darius acknowledges the kingdom of God that shall never be destroyed, fulfilling Daniel's vision.
Supported by JFB