DANIEL SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 6.1.Introduction

Gleanings from the Book of Daniel:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

DANIEL

Chapter Six

Daniel in the Lion’s Den

 

 

Introduction

Daniel 6 is one of the most well-known stories in the Old Testament. Daniel’s survival in the lion’s den demonstrates how God continued to work through his servant in a foreign land and influence rulers to acknowledge the Most High God. A penalizing parallel is found in Chapter 3, showing how God preserved his remnant from a fiery furnace. 

 

Daniel was about 88 years old when the transference of power moved from the Babylonian Kingdom to the Medo-Persian Empire. The chapter date is about 537 – 538 B.C.

 

Darius the Mede

Historians have had difficulty trying to identify Darius. There is no record of him. Darius was not a proper name, but a title of honor. Titles as such have similarly appeared, for instance, Pharaoh, King, Caesar, or even Führer. Scholars believe the title of Darius was given to Gubaru (a holder of the scepter), He was a Median general who helped Cyrus to overthrow Babylon and was appointed by Cyrus to rule.

 

It is also believed Darius the Mede was a co-regent with Cyrus the Great: Cyrus ruled the Persian Empire (cf. 2 Chronicles 36:22; Ezra 5:13) while Darius reigned over Babylonia. Darius acquired his Kingdom being about 62 years of age (539 B.C.), and governed for approximately 2 years.

 

Chapter 6 commences in Daniel 5:31 when Darius the Mede took the kingdom.

 

Chapter 6 thence will conclude the historical section of Daniel.

 

Chapter 6 Outline 

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

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

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

4. The Prosecution of Daniel (Vv. 12-17)

5. The Protection of Daniel (Vv. 18-23)

6. The Proclamation of Darius (Vv. 24-27)

7. The Prosperity of Daniel (v. 28)

 

 

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

(Verse 1)

 

It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom.

 

Governmental Structure

One of the first responsibilities of the newly appointed Darius was to organize the administration of the Babylonian Empire. By consolidating 120 satraps* over the provinces in Babylonia, later enlarged to 170 provinces, the King was greatly aided in his administrative responsibilities.

 

*Satrap is an Old Persian word that stood for the protector of the kingdom. They functioned similarly to an Eastern prince, or more specifically, a provincial governor. This official would have been in charge of either a small group of people or in this case, a large territory.

 

 

(Verse 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 (not suffer loss).

 

In his hierarchy of administration, 120 governors were answerable to three commissioners, or presidents. One of their duties would entail overseeing the tribute or revenue from the population. In doing so, cheating or not paying taxes would be curtailed. Significantly, Daniel, of the Jewish captivity, was placed in charge of this bureaucratic triad.

 

 

(Verse 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.

 

The Spirit of Daniel

Now, an excellent (exceeding, or extraordinary) spirit was in Daniel. Here was a man who had a relationship with the Most High God. The same phrase was used earlier by the Queen to describe him to Behshazzar (cf. 5:12). Supposedly, Daniel was being led by the Holy Spirit, an anomaly of the Old Testament. Notwithstanding, Daniel purposed in his heart he would live for his God (cf. 1:8).

 

Historians note Darius knew Daniel through his previous trade or business dealings. Recall, Daniel was ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon (cf. 2:48). And after all, seeing he resonated in spiritual things, Darius assumed his trustworthiness, thus making Daniel a natural for the authoritative position over the whole realm of Babylon.

 

Note two precedents in Scripture:

1. When Joseph was given charge over all of Egypt:

Genesis 41:41 - And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.

 

2. When Mordecai was advanced to the prime minister of Persia:

Esther 10:3a - For Mordecai, the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus and great among the Jews.

 

So, in the middle of pagan kingdoms embedded in polytheism, idolatry, and immorality, Daniel, a Jew, steps into positions next to kings, because of his accountability to the Most High God. 

 

 

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

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

(Verse 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.

 

The Envy against Daniel

Motivated by envy (cf. Proverbs 27:4) or jealousy, and hatred in the hearts of the administrators and other high officials, they unscrupulously conspired to find charges against Daniel. Largely because of their prejudice toward having a superior position over them, the conspirators intended to displace Daniel in his governmental affairs. This occasion would be a pretext for an accusation in his administration.

 

Envy

Someone once said, “Envy is blind and knows nothing except to depreciate the excellence of others.” This was the motivation of Daniel’s co-regents.

 

Observe King Solomon’s wisdom on envy:

Ecclesiastes 4:4 - Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity (a vapor, emptiness) and vexation (grasping, or chasing) of spirit (the wind).

 

 

(Verse 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.

 

The Plot

However, the conspirators were unsuccessful in finding any occasion or fault against Daniel in his performance or secular life. So, they decided to deceitfully conjure up, and falsely entrap him in his religious convictions. Because of Daniel’s faithfulness and trustworthiness to his God, and by his not making any concessions in yielding to idolatry, they knew Daniel would be vulnerable in this area.

 

Knowing Daniel prayed three times a day, they devised a plan to trick Darius into signing a law that would condemn Daniel to the lion's den. This was predicated on his faithfulness to obey God, rather than a decree. The plan was similar to those who tried to expel Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

 

 

(Verse 6)

 

Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.

 

Meeting with the King

Enraged against Daniel, the administrators, and satraps consulted, assembled, and approached the King tumultuously to propose their plot. Of course, they greeted him with the usual way of saluting a monarch, "Long live the King.”

 

 

(Verse 7)

 

All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counselors, 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.

 

The Proposal

Immediately after, the official delegation of administrators, satraps, advisors, prefects, and governors petitioned the King to enact a royal ordinance. Since they believed in a human deity, the edict would serve notice on anyone who paid homage to a god other than Darius. Thus, the offenders would be severely reprimanded.

 

The subtle schemed plan faced the King with flattery. Their proposal stated all prayers be made to him for 30 days, thereby honoring him as a god. It directly appealed to his vanity. Furthermore, any offender was to be thrown into a pit of lions as a means of punishment.

 

At this point, Darius had no idea it was an attack on Daniel. But, it seemed reasonable, since the statute only lasted 30 days.  Undoubtedly, Daniel was not present. 

 

Justice in Antiquity

Regardless of severity, punishment, and death penalties for criminal behavior in ancient empires differed in methods. For example:

1. In Babylon, the main punishment was to be tossed into a furnace of blazing fire (cf. 3:15, 19-21; Jeremiah 29:22)

 

2. In Persia, the punishment was to be thrown into a lion’s den. Understand, these were not tamed zoo animals, but lions that were kept half-starved.

 

 

3. In Rome, the punishment was crucifixion.

 

(Verse 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.

 

The Law of the Land

It appears obvious the conspirators had the decree drawn up in witting ready to be signed, which they impetuously urged the king to enact.

 

Comparative Laws

A. Babylonian Law – A king could make changes to the law whenever he wanted. Sometimes, his slightest word would become law, or be rescinded.

 

B. Medo-Persian Law – A king was unable to change the law once it was passed. An ordinance was thus binding, irrevocable, or unalterable (6:12c).

 

 

(Verse 9)

 

Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.

 

Darius proceeded to affix his seal to the decree. By doing so, the fiat was approved, confirmed, and enacted as the law of the land.  So, the King yielded not only to flattery, but so elevated himself to deity, and having prayers offered to him. No doubt, Darius realized too late he had been led into a trap, and there wasn’t anything he could do to reverse his action.

 

The narrative continues in the next lesson. Daniel is seen at the window of his house praying toward Jerusalem. The dialogue between Darius and Daniel is particularly compelling.

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1. What was the governmental structure of Babylonia under Darius?

2. Why did the other administrators seek to frame Daniel?

3. Why did they not find fault with Daniel?

4. What area of Daniel’s life did they attack?

5. How did they devise a plan to convict Daniel?

6. What was unique about Persian law?

7. Why do you think Darius signed the edict?

 

 

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