Daniel 6

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

• H324 אֲחַשׁדַּרפַּן ‘achashdarpan (ach-ash-dar-pan’) n-m. a satrap or governor of a main province (of Persia).

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.

H5632 סָרֵךְ carek (saw-rake’) n-m. an emir. The responsibilities and roles of an emir can vary widely depending on the historical and cultural context, but generally, the job of an emir includes the following: Political Leadership, Military Command, Judicial Authority, Economic Oversight, Religious Leadership, Diplomatic Relations and Cultural Patronage.

No small thing. This was someone the king kept close at all times, well trusted and extremely loyal. Did you catch the part about “Religious Leadership”? What do you think Daniel would be teaching as a part of his religious leadership? ….hint?…. starts with T….

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.

Digression Alert: I work under a compensation program that resembles 3 pay plans. It is a combination of ‘assets under management’ as the more I can process the more I can make so it also has a ‘commission’ attribute. Constructed into this is a base guarantee that you weekly pay wont fall under $x should you miss your target compensation. Confusing at the least but it makes sense when the numbers fall into the conversation.

In this compensation program if there are more than 2 ‘salespeople’ there is a sense of competition for the inbound customer. It can make things tense when situations occur that cannot produce profit that must be done by someone. The easy thing to do is “dump” on the other person and let them “waste their time” on this fruitless activity. I simply volunteer to take these on. Some say I am kissing butt and others say I am greasing the wheels. Neither are true… I cant stand to here the others whine about it. It really isnt that difficult. But the main reason… when the end of the month comes and I outperform them … they have no excuses. Shuttle a customer to and from work… I’ll do it. I believe this is the same mindset Daniel put towards his position. I am not a perfect employee (father, husband… long list) but I get the concepts God has put forth…

• Matthew 5:41 “And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.”

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.

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.

Daniel has excelled and now there is jealousy over his position. They can find anything wrong with his performance, behavior, or his loyalty. Last resort is to attack and demean his faith? Seems desperate.

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

7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, 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 (Acts of worship) or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.

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.

9 Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.

Here we see the parable given a second time; in all of Hebrew writings the use of repetition to reinforce the meaning is for our benefit.

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.

The command of God supersedes all others. Daniel was not about to change anything that God has commanded.

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

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.

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 (Prayers to God, Worship) three times a day.

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.

This statement that the king waited until dusk, or the end of the day, makes me curious if this was a Sabbath day? When I was a kid my mother warned me that nothing good ever happened after dark. She was concerned that I would get into things that were dangerous and sinful. Despite her concerns and repeated warnings… I managed to jump right in with both feet proving her theory 100% correct. Praise Yah he called me out of my captivity.

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.

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.

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

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.

Why would he fast? Is he praying? Has he taken a clue from Daniel? Either way the king is fretting.

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

20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable 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?

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

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.

23 Then was the king exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.

24 And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.

25 Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.

26 I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.

27 He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

I have heard the following said… “what would the world look like of everyone lived biblically?” In the parables of Daniel and the Hebrew trio… ask yourself…. what would MY world look like if I lived biblically? The first thing we should see is that there will be strife, tests and trials…. but in the end there will be saving grace and ultimate success.

• Matthew 24:9-11 “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.”