DANIEL SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 6.12

Gleanings from the Book of Daniel:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

DANIEL

Chapter Six

Daniel in the Lion’s Den

 

 

Introduction

Through jealousy, the co-governmental officials manipulated King Darius into signing a decree requiring everyone in the newly acquired Empire to pay homage to him for thirty days. They convinced the King the action would not only solidify loyalty to him but also weed out any adversaries. Of course, there would be a strict penalty for those who did not worship Darius as a god – Death by being thrown into a lion's den.

 

Knowing the edict was irrevocable, the conspirators had schemed so that it was directed toward Daniel. For, they knew he was a Jew of captivity who faithfully prayed to his Most High God three times a day. This was done in hopes of ridding Daniel of his position of authority.

 

 

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)

(Verse 12)

 

Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; 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 and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

 

The Accusation of Daniel

One can sense the gleefulness as the plotters approached King Darius. It was almost as if the ink had not yet dried when they queried the King deviously and contemptuously, “Didn’t you just sign a decree stating if anyone prays to any god, divine or human, except you be cast into a den of lions?"

 

Not fully realizing the plot against Daniel, Darius surreptitiously vaunted, “Yes, it is true. And, according to Medo-Persian law, the decree cannot be repealed.”

 

 

(Verse 13)

 

Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.

 

The Charge against Daniel

The envious politicians now present their accusations before the King. Their charges included:

1. Daniel had disregard for the King

2. Daniel had disregarded the King’s royal injunction

3. Daniel continued praying to his God rather than the King

4. Daniel continued praying 3 times a day to his God

 

Notice, they referred to Daniel not as the prime minister or the chief president of the Kingdom, but as a foreigner from the captivity of Judah (cf. 2:25; 5:13). Hence, by addressing Daniel in this fashion, they openly amplified their disdain for him. At this point, Daius most likely sensed their ploy.

 

 

(Verse 14)

 

Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.

 

The Reaction of the King

When Darius heard these words, he became sore and displeased (deeply or greatly distressed, troubled, and grieved with anxiety, to the point of agony). Recollect: Darius had favored and trusted Daniel above the others to place him in such a high position of authority (cf. 6:2-3). Also, Daniel’s actions were a mark against the King’s good judgment.

 

So, the King, after realizing he had been manipulated by the plan devised by the crafty enemies of Daniel, labored to find a loophole in the law of the Medes and Persians.  But he blamed himself for the error of bad judgment, not Daniel.

 

The King was determined and laboured to find a way to acquit Daniel from this ordinance he put into law by deceitful persuasion. He made every effort. He had continued striving until sundown of that day, the limit upon which Medo-Persaisn Law was to be enacted. Optimistically, Daniel’s only hope was a miracle.

 

 

(Verse 15)

 

Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.

 

The King’s Dilemma

Deviously, like putting salt on a wound, the collaborators roused Darius by restating Medo-Persian law – Once signed by the King, it became unchangeable. It was severe – Death by caged lions. Unwillingly, Darius resolved to comply with his penalty.

 

As a reminder, the Law of the Medes and Persians had been well established before the time of Darrius. A prior example is found in the Book of Esther:

Esther 1:19a - If it please the king (Ahasuerus), let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered.

 

 

(Verse 16)

 

Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.

 

The King’s Enforcement

To save face and obey his law, the King had no other recourse than to commit Daniel to the severe punishment of the Medes and Persians. Daniel was quickly brought to the King to be cast into the lion’s den.

 

The Lions Dens of Assyria

Lions were not kept in cages or areas as we know them, such as modern zoos or fenced safari areas. The hungry man-eating lions of Daniel’s day were kept primarily for sport. Many reliefs on the ruined walls of Nineveh depicted Assyrian Kings with spears riding chariots for the hunt.

 

When needed for capital punishment, lions would be starved for the assuredly of an execution. Sometimes they were kept in a pit, most likely a cave on the side of a hill, with an opening that could be capped with a giant boulder, a prefigurement of the rock placed over Jesus’ tomb (cf. Matthew 27:62-66).  Additionally, a huge metal grate was also employed, not only for the view but also for feeding and maintenance purposes.

 

The number of lions is not stated, but from verse 24, there was certainly enough to devour the conspirators, their wives, and their children.

 

Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee

The Most High God

El Elyon is translated, as the Most High God, meaning, God is the High One. He is the God in the highest state, i.e., God on His Throne.

 

The King’s Consultation

Before his execution, Darius consoled his chosen prime minister. He addressed Daniel's fidelity and commitment to his God. Unbecoming of a King, Darius comforted Daniel with these prayerful words, "The God whom you continually serve, He will deliver you."

 

Notice the positivity and assuredness of Darius. God will deliver. It certainly appears he was prompted and informed by a divine premonition.

 

Note: Daniel ended up in the lion’s den for doing what was right, and not compromising his loyalty to the Most High God. Perhaps God sent an angel to protect him, but the outcome will be explained in the following study.

 

 

(Verse 17)

 

And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.

 

The King’s Judgment Executed

After the large stone was placed over the lion’s den, Darius made an imprint with his signet ring, and also the signets of his lords, on the clay that sealed the cave was. This was done so neither party could break the double seal, nor any friends could rescue him.

 

But, in God’s mind, He would ultimately validate His miraculous intervention on behalf of Daniel. To that end, God receives the glory.

 

The King’s Signet Ring

In royal courts, the usage of a customized signet ring pertained to the official business of the empire. It signified the execution and fulfillment of a decree had been fulfilled. The signet ring would somewhat parallel notary seals in modern times. In antiquity, clay later melted wax, was placed on rolled scrolls, documents, or letters. Officially, they were important so the imprint of the ringed seal was unalterable, counterfeited, or opened.

 

Life Application

Oftentimes, God places his faithful servants in unlikely situations so they can act as instruments of His righteousness. His intent – The result will gain Him the glory He deserves.

 

 

In the subsequent lesson, observe how a miracle unfolds in the life of Daniel.

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1. How was Darius tricked into signing a 30-day decree?

2. Who was responsible for the conspiracy against Daniel?

3. What was Darius’ initial reaction after learning about Daniel?

4. What was unique about the lion’s dens?

5. What was the importance of a signet ring?

6. How did Darius console Daniel?

7. Why does God put his servants in difficult situations?

 

 

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