DANIEL SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 6.18

Gleanings from the Book of Daniel:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

DANIEL

Chapter Six

Daniel in the Lion’s Den

 

 

Introduction

Jealous satraps (noblemen, governors) of the Empire succeeded in convincing Darius the Mede to enact a proclamation to have all citizens bow down and worship the King for 30 days to demonstrate their loyalty. Innocent as it may sound on the surface, the directive was a disguised attempt to oust Darius’ choice chief of staff, Daniel, namely because he was a Jew of the captivity.

 

When enacted, the penalty for breaking the law was severe – The felon would be cast into a den of hungry lions. Thereupon, their plot had been successful. In the previous study, Daniel was cast into the lion’s den for worshipping his God 3 times a day, an action he had been practicing since captivity.

 

On the other hand, King Darius favored and trusted Daniel and was deeply disturbed to discover he was manipulated into signing an edict that could not be altered. However, Darius made every attempt to find a loophole in the law to no avail. Daniel’s fate was to spend the night in a sealed lion pit.

 

 

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)

(Verse 18)

 

Then the King went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.

 

The Power of God

Darius returned to his palace that evening. Greatly concerned about Daniel, he spent the night deeply troubled:

1.  He did not eat

2.  He did not have entertainment

3.  He did not sleep

 

Fasting

A custom that was precluded amongst the Greeks and Romans, fasting, nevertheless, was a common practice of the Jews directed toward God. Fasting, a term “afflicts the souls (a humbling)’’ is found in the Torah. It was once the only fast required by Moses on the Day of Atonement [the 10^th of Tishri (cf. Leviticus 23:27)].

 

To fast meant to abstain from food and water for a specified time. It has several associations, physically and spiritually, especially with devotion and contrition in the eyes of Yahweh.  For example:

1.  To submit to the Lord

2.  To practice self-denial

3.  To reconcile with God

4.  To mourn for sin

5.  To ward off evil

6.  To discipline oneself

7.  To manifest spiritual health

 

Several instances are recorded in the Old and New Testaments. Two are predominant:

1.  Moses fasted before he approached Yahweh (cf. Exodus 34:28)

 

2.  Jesus fasted 40 days and nights in the wilderness (cf. Matthew 4:2)

However, in the case of Darius, his fasting was associated with grief over Daniel.

 

Entertainment

Common in the Ancient Near Eastern world, wine, women, and song were an integral part of the culture of royalty (cf. 3:5, 5:1-4). Naturally, music and strong drink were associated with dancing, usually provided by concubines (cf. Esther 1; Daniel 5:2-4). But the King, this particular evening, forewent his conventional entertainment.  

 

Insomnia

While Darius tossed and turned all night, undoubtedly Daniel had a good night’s sleep as we shall see in verse 22.

 

Comparison

Now, contrast Darius’ hope of deliverance to Nebuchadnezzar’s demeanor when Daniel’s three companions were sentenced to the fiery furnace (cf. 3:19).

 

 

(Verse 19)

 

Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.

 

The Impatience of the King

At the crack of dawn (Literally: at the brightness of the dawning), Darius went running hastily to the lion’s pit to witness the destiny of Daniel.

 

 

(Verse 20)

 

And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable (grieving) voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

 

The Query of the King

As soon as Darius arrived at the lion’s den, in a quivering, painful, and grieving voice, he cried out to Daniel. It appears Darius was hoping Daniel was still alive and expecting to hear from him. For he inquired, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

 

Several clues in the King’s character and attitude about the God of Daniel are revealed in this passage. Three phrases are prominent. Notice his response and line of questioning:

1.  A servant

a.  Daniel is a servant (bondservant, or slave) to his God

b. Paul, likewise, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle… (cf. Romans 1:1)

 

2.  A living God

a.  Daniel’s God is a living God, not an inanimate object like all other heathen deities

b.  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a living God. (cf. Hebrews 10:31)

 

3.  A God Daniel continually serves

a. Daniel worshiped or paid reverence to his living God, indicating an ongoing habit

b.  Jesus became for us a servant: He took upon Him the form of a servant (cf. Philippians 2:7)

 

4 1. A God Who is able

a.  Daniel’s God is able:

                                        i.    God is able to reveal secrets or mysteries (cf. 2:47)

                                     ii.    God, working through the prophets is able:

Hebrews 11:33 – Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.

 

 

51. A God Who is a Deliverer

a.  Daniel’s God is a Deliverer:

                                        i.    God delivered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the burning fiery furnace (cf. 3:17)

                                     ii.    God can deliver like no other, said former King Nebuchadnezzar (cf. 3:29) 

 

 

(Verse 21)

 

Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.

 

The Response to the King

This verse is almost amusing. Daniel first gives the proper form of salutation when addressing a King, assuring him the proper respect: “Long live the King.” And secondly, please observe, Daniel is talking with the King while he is still with the lions.

 

 

(Verse 22)

 

My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before Him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

 

Divine Intervention

Daniel’s God received the glory! It was his God Who sent His angels to shut the mouths of lions, so Daniel was unscathed. But the taming of lions is not exclusive to Daniel. Selected passages in Scripture provide some further examples and insight:

1.  Adam cohabitated with lions in the Garden when he was given the task of naming them (cf. Genesis 2:19-20)

 

2.  In the promised Kingdom, the lion will be docile (cf. Isaiah 11;6; 65:25)

 

The Work of Angels

Apart from holding the mouths of the lions shut, angels perform many ministries. They apply to this passage as such:

Psalm 91:11 - For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

 

Psalm 103:20 - Bless the LORD, ye His angels, that excel in strength, that do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His Word.

 

Some examples of their work and exceptional strength are also recorded:

1.  When one angel slew 185,000 Assyrians:

2 Kings 19:35 – And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.

 

2.  When two angels rolled away the stone from Jesus’ sepulcher:

Matthew 28:2 - And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from Heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

 

3.  When the apostles were healing everyone, the Sadducees put them in prison. However, the angel of the Lord released them from prison: 

Acts 5:19 - But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth…

 

4.  When Peter was arrested and incarcerated by Herod Agrippa 1, the angel of the Lord released him from prison:

Acts 12:7 - And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Forasmuch as before Him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt

 

                                    The Appeal of Daniel                                                                                                                      

Daniel had been accused of treason. But the Lion from the tribe of Judah had been with him. He wholly trusted his life in God’s hands. Daniel then attested to his innocence, not only before the living God, but also before the King saying, “I have done no hurt (wrong, crime, hurtful act), nor have I sinned against thee.”

 

 

Because of Daniel, the continuing study will exhort the King to sign a proclamation mandating the citizens to worship the living God on an ongoing basis. Daniel will thus be prosperous as he once had before. Also, discover the outcome of the conspirators.

 

 

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 lion 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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