DANIEL SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 6.10

Gleanings from the Book of Daniel:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

DANIEL

Chapter Six

Daniel in the Lion’s Den

 

 

Introduction

More people are familiar with the sixth chapter of Daniel than any other. Throwing Daniel to the Lions accentuates not only his faith and spiritual character but also his devotion to the Most High God.

 

Because of his integrity and abilities, Daniel had been promoted by King Darius to chief over the other two presidents, and 120 satraps or governors of the newly acquired kingdom of Babylon. Overcome by jealousy, the subordinate noblemen plotted to unseat Daniel from his position of power. They requested the King to issue a thirty-day decree to pay homage to him in place of other gods.

 

After the irrevocable ordinance was signed, it became illegal to pray to any god, save the King. Failure to do so would result in a death sentence, being thrown into a pit of lions. The narrative continues…

 

 

1. The Promotion of Daniel (Vv. 1-3)

2. The Plot against Daniel (Vv. 4-9)

3. The Prayer of Daniel (Vv. 10-11)

(Verse 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.

 

After Daniel heard of the proclamation, despite the command prohibiting prayer to any other god, he went to the upper room of his house for his customary daily devotions.

 

The tenth verse has a great deal of information concerning Daniel’s private life. It was in the upper chambers of his house; Daniel exhibited his godly character. Upon hearing the news of Darius’ proclamation prohibiting prayer, notice Daniel's customary actions:

1.  Daniel prayed in his house

2. Daniel prayed in his upper prayer room

3.  Daniel prayed on his knees

4.  Daniel prayed to face Jerusalem with his windows open

5.  Daniel prayed to his God

6.  Daniel prayed giving thanks to his God

7.  Daniel prayed routinely three times a day

 

The Upper Room

Upper rooms were common lofts, chambers, or luxury areas for the wealthy. Normally the rooms were large and had high latticed windows. Upper rooms also became a necessity in Near Eastern cities where houses were small and cramped together.

 

Existing usually on the second floor, sometimes on rooftops of houses, upper rooms served several purposes:

1. They served as guest rooms

 

2. They served as dining rooms

a.  Jesus ate the last Passover with His disciples (cf. Mark 14:14; Luke 22:11-13)

 

3. They served as prayer rooms

a.  The disciples prayed in one accord while waiting for the Holy Spirit (cf. Acts 1:13-14; 2:1)

b.  Peter went to the mother of John Mark’s house where all were praying for his release from prison (cf. Acts 12:12-17)

 

4. They served as women’s quarters

a.  Tabitha was resurrected by Peter (Acts 9:36 ff.)

 

5. They served as gathering places for fellowship

a.  Paul preached a sermon until midnight (cf. Acts 20:7-12)

 

6. They served as rooms for private matters

a.  After the departure of Judas Iscariot, Jesus spoke privately to His disciples of the things which must come to pass (cf. John 13:31 ff.)

 

7. They served as rooms for leisure activities

 

He went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem

 

Windows

Houses had latticework over their windows to allow for ventilation in the hot climate. The windows were usually small and high in urban homes, however, they were larger and more elaborate in homes for the wealthy, especially for representatives of the government. For the Jews, open windows facing Jerusalem were likewise symbolic of the hope of one day returning to the city of God.

 

Facing Jerusalem

The Holy of Holies in the Temple was where the presence of God once resided, for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD (cf. 1 Kings 8:10-11). But the glory cloud departed before the fall of Jerusalem in 587 B.C. (cf. Ezekiel 11:23). Even though the city was destroyed, it continued to remain the theocratic center of the earth.

 

Facing Jerusalem when praying was observed based on God's promise to return to the land and rebuild after the captivity (cf. Jeremiah 29:10-14; Ezekiel 11:23). Synagogues are also built to face Jerusalem, derived from their longing to return.

 

King Solomon set this precedent when his army went into battle:

1 Kings 8:44 - If Thy people go out to battle against their enemy, whithersoever Thou shalt send them, and shall pray unto the LORD toward the city which Thou hast chosen, and toward the house that I have built for Thy Name.

 

Solomon’s word prescribed their worship in captivity:

2 Chronicles 6:38-29a - If they return to Thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captives, and pray toward their land, which Thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the City which Thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for Thy Name: Then hear Thou from the heavens, even from Thy dwelling place. 

 

David previously followed this practice. Three Psalms verify his commitment:

Psalm 5:7 – But as for me, I will come into Thy house in the multitude of Thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward Thy holy Temple.

 

Psalm 28:2 – Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto Thee, when I lift up my hands toward Thy holy oracle (place, sanctuary).

 

Psalm 138:2 - I will worship toward Thy holy Temple, and praise Thy name for Thy lovingkindness and for Thy truth: for Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy Name.

 

This custom, initially adopted by King Solomon continued until the new instruction by Jesus Christ to the Samaritan woman, i.e., to worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him (cf. John 4:20-24).

 

He kneeled upon his knees three times a day  

 

Kneeling in Prayer

Kneeling was a common posture for prayer. King Solomon had given this procedure for the dedicatory prayers of the Temple.

 

Daniel’s discipline was habitual. His physical attitude matched his spiritual attitude. When he approached God, he had a perspective of humility. Daniel knelt on his knees.

 

Jesus kneeled in prayer, but it is only mentioned one time in the Bible. Before His Crucifixion, He knelt to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane:

Luke 22:41 - And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed.

 

When Paul prayed for the Ephesians, he too knelt in prayer:

Ephesians 3:14 - For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Three times a Day

Faithfulness in prayer characterized Daniel's life. Even though he prayed three times a day, it was not required. However, each individual was committed to praying to God daily.

David practiced this as evidenced in his prayer life:

Psalm 55:16-17 - As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice.

 

However, Ezra officially established praying three times a day when the Jews returned to their homeland. Rabbis later made the practice to coincide with the Temple’s daily sacrifices (morning, afternoon, and evening). This manner was continued by the Apostles, and the early Christians (cf. Acts 2:15; 3:1; 10:9).

 

Times of sacrifice and prayer were undertaken in the morning, afternoon, and evening. The morning would have been the third hour (9 am), the sixth hour (noon), and the ninth hour (3 pm).

 

[He] prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime

 

Daniel’s Prayer Life

Daniel had a deep devotion and reverence toward God, and he exhibited that in his prayer life. As a prayer warrior, he was disciplined, habitual, and consistent. Despite Darius' command, Daniel continued to worship God in thanksgiving. Most likely he remembered:

Psalm 118:28 – Thou art my God, and I will praise Thee: thou art my God, I will exalt Thee.

 

And essentially, Daniel adhered to Paul's principle:

1 Thessalonians 5:18 - In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

 

 

(Verse 11)

 

Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.

 

These hostile officials wasted no time. The word assembled connotes the idea of thronging tumultuously toward Daniel’s house. Thus, they observed Daniel praying at his window. The context indicates his adversaries had previously known of Daniel’s habit. So, the entire plot was premeditated.

 

Examine the drama that plays out when Daniel’s opponents accuse him before the King. The next study assures his execution – The Lion’s Den.

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1. Where did Daniel pray?

2. When did Daniel pray?

3. How often did Daniel pray?

4. What was unique about Daniel’s prayer habits?

5. Why did Daniel face Jerusalem when praying?

6. How long had Daniel been praying to his God?

7. What was the motive of Daniel’s adversaries?

 

 

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