Daniel 6:19-20 Daniel 6:18 (6:19)-Darius Returns to His Palace and Spends Night Fasting, Refuses Entertainment and Suffers Insomnia Review of Daniel 5:31-6:17 (6:1-18) Daniel 5:31 (6:1) Now, Darius the Mede received the kingdom at sixty-two years of age. (Author s translation) In the Aramaic text, Daniel 5:31 actually begins chapter 6 since the verse numbers beginning with 5:31 through 6:28 in the English Bible differ from the verse numbers in the Aramaic text of Daniel (BHS). Thus, Daniel 5:31 in the English translations should be Daniel 6:1 since this is the case in the Aramaic text of Daniel. Correspondingly, Daniel 6:1 is Daniel 6:2 in the Aramaic text, Daniel 6:2 is Daniel 6:3 and so on throughout the rest of Daniel chapter 6. However, the verse numbers in the English Bible beginning with Daniel 7:1, correspond to the Aramaic text of Daniel once again. So Daniel 5:31 is actually Daniel 6:1 in the original Aramaic text of Daniel. Daniel 5:31 (6:1) is a transitional statement meaning that Daniel is changing topics. He goes from discussing the God of Israel dealing with the heathen Babylonian king, Belshazzar to presenting events related to the God of Israel delivering him from death at the hands of the Medo-Persian Empire as a result of a conspiracy in the government against him. Darius was deceived by officials in his kingdom who were envious and jealous of Daniel. Daniel 6:1-3 (Aramaic 6:2-4) records that Daniel maintained a prominent status in the Medo-Persian kingdom while living in Babylon. Daniel 6:4-9 (Aramaic 6:5-10) records that a conspiracy against Daniel by the other commissioners and satraps in the Medo-Persian kingdom. Daniel 6:10-11 (Aramaic 6:11-12) records Daniel s prayer to God while in the midst of persecution and underserved suffering. Daniel 6:12-18 (Aramaic 6:13-19) records Daniel being unwillingly executed by the Darius the Mede. Daniel 6:19-24 (Aramaic 6:20-25) records the God of Israel delivering Daniel from death by shutting the mouths of the lions. Daniel 6:25-28 (Aramaic 6:26-29) records King Darius issuing a proclamation throughout the Medo-Persian empire which praises the God of Israel. Darius the Mede is the same as Gubaru, who was the governor appointed over Babylon by Cyrus. This interpretation is strongly supported by the biblical text because Daniel 5:31 (6:1) and Daniel 9:1 make clear that Darius the Mede was appointed king over Babylon. Darius the Mede must not be confused with Darius I who began to rule in 522 B.C. since the latter was a about twenty-eight by 522 B.C. having been born in 2013 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 1
approximately 550 B.C. whereas the former was sixty-two when he began to rule according to Daniel 5:31 (6:1). Furthermore, Darius I was of a Persian royal line because his father, Hystaspes, was of the Achaemenid dynasty whereas the father Darius the Mede was Ahasuerus who was of Median descent according to Daniel 9:1. Darius I took the throne by a coup d état whereas Cyrus appointed Darius the Mede to be king over Babylon according to Daniel 9:1. Daniel 6:1 (6:2) It was considered a good idea by Darius to establish one hundred twenty satraps over the kingdom in order that they would be in authority over the entire kingdom. (Author s translation) So Daniel 6:1 (6:2) records that upon receiving the Babylonian kingdom from Cyrus the Persian, he was approached with the sound idea to establish one hundred twenty satraps over the kingdom. This group of officials would be the chief representatives of Darius the Mede. They were governors of the different provinces in the Babylonian empire. They were the highest officials in his kingdom. So they much like state governors in America. Daniel 6:2 (6:3) tells the reader that this was in order to protect the king s interests. Also, it says that three commissioners would be in authority over these one hundred twenty and hold them accountable. Daniel the verse says was one of these three individuals. We see that later on in the chapter, these one hundred twenty satraps and the other two commissioners conspired against Daniel, which leads to his execution. Daniel 6:2 (6:3) Also out from, over them, three supervisors, of whom Daniel was one of them in order that these satraps would exist in the state of having to give an account to them so that the king would never be able to suffer loss. (Author s translation) Daniel 6:2 (6:3) records another decision that Darius the Mede took upon taking over the Babylonian kingdom from Belshazzar and Nabonidus. This verse says that out from the one hundred twenty satraps which he selected to help him administrate the kingdom, he chose three supervisors. The satraps would have to give an account of their activities to these three who were of their number. One of these three the text tells us was Daniel. The purpose of installing these three over the other satraps was so that the king would have be able to suffer loss personally, politically or financially. The satraps would be required to give an account to the triumvirate in the sense of explaining verbally or in written form their activities and decisions in administrating the Babylonian kingdom. Personal damage would be harm to the king himself in the sense of assassination or the slandering of his character. Financial damage of course would be the loss of financial resources in the sense of someone embezzling money from the kingdom or failing to collect taxes. Political damage would entail failure to 2013 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 2
carry out the king s policies. Therefore, these three supervisors would have to possess integrity of character and be honest. The question arises as to why Darius would choose Daniel since he was a Jewish captive of the Babylonians. Undoubtedly, he was chosen because Darius and his military officials would have been told by the surviving Babylonians that Daniel predicted the demise of Belshazzar at the hands of the Medes and the Persians. This would have made him a favorite of the Medo-Persian Empire. Also, Daniel s reputation was world-wide since little over two decades before Nebuchadnezzar praised Daniel and his God in a decree that went throughout his world-wide empire which is recorded in Daniel chapter four. Furthermore, his reputation among the Babylonians as an excellent administrator would have been made known to Darius by the surviving Babylonians. Daniel of course had years of experience as the head of the wise men under Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel 6:3 (6:4) Then this Daniel was distinguishing himself above the supervisors as well as satraps because an extraordinary spirit was in him. Consequently, the king intended to establish him over the entire kingdom. (Author s translation) Daniel 6:3 (6:4) records that Daniel distinguished himself above his fellow supervisors and satraps because an extraordinary spirit was in him. Through his words and action and decisions Daniel demonstrated himself to be superior to his contemporaries in the Medo-Persian government in Babylon. He distinguished himself above his contemporaries because his attitude or disposition was exceptional and unusual in that it deviated from the average person. Daniel s attitude or disposition was incomparable in the sense that it was unique among men. This extraordinary attitude or disposition demonstrated itself in that Daniel s wisdom was extraordinary wisdom in the sense that it was exceptional and unusual in that it deviated from the average person. Daniel s wisdom was incomparable in the sense that it was unique among men. The fact that Daniel distinguished himself above the other satraps and supervisors because of his extraordinary spirit should not surprise the reader since Daniel chapter one documents Daniel s unusual gifts. Furthermore, Daniel demonstrated these unusual gifts during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar as demonstrated in Daniel chapters two and four. Now, the gifts and talents that Daniel possessed were refined and matured as a result of decades of service to Nebuchadnezzar. When Daniel began to serve Darius he was in his late seventies or early eighties. So he was an old man. Daniel s spiritual maturity coupled with his refined use of his God-given talents and gifts serve to make him stand out among his contemporaries. No wonder Darius was impressed with him. Thus, Daniel s extraordinary performance in the Medo-Persian revealed that his talents and gifts and wisdom were supernatural and 2013 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 3
made him an easy choice for Darius to select to be in authority over the entire Babylonian kingdom. The demonstration of Daniel s godly character as well as the exercise of all of his God-given talents and gifts and his knowledge and application in various subjects and in addition his knowledge and application of the Word of God and his devotion to prayer comprised his extraordinary spirit. No wonder Darius had every intention of installing Daniel in authority over the entire Babylonian kingdom making him subordinate to only the king. All of this sets the stage for the conspiracy against Daniel which will be waged by the other satraps and supervisors out of jealousy and envy for Daniel. It also helps the reader to understand Darius great concerned and respect for Daniel when this conspiracy is successful against Daniel. Furthermore, Daniel was a Jewish captive. He was not a Mede or a Persian or even a Babylonian. This too contributed to Daniel the bad feeling toward him by his fellow satraps and supervisors. Daniel 6:4 (6:5) As a result, the supervisors as well as the satraps were repeatedly attempting to find a pretext against Daniel with regards to governmental affairs. However, repeatedly, they were totally unable to find any pretext in the form of corruption because he was trustworthy. Indeed, no negligence in the form of corruption was found against him. (Author s translation) This verse reveals that as a result of Darius intention to establish Daniel in authority over the entire Babylonian kingdom because of his extraordinary spirit, Daniel s fellow supervisors and satraps conspired against him. They repeatedly attempted to find a pretext against Daniel with regards to his duties and responsibilities as a supervisor over the satraps. However, the passage tells the reader that repeatedly they were totally unable to find any pretext in the form of corruption because Daniel was trustworthy. Then in emphatic terms Daniel under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit declares that no negligence in the form of corruption was found against him. Therefore, Daniel 6:4 (6:5) states that Daniel s fellow satraps and supervisors were totally unable to find the basis of an accusation against him because of his integrity, which he acquired through his obedience to the Word of God. He loved God with his entire being and his neighbor as himself. He served Darius as he would want someone to work for him, namely with integrity by honest and responsible in carrying out one s duties and responsibilities. It was a great tribute to Daniel s character that his enemies could find nothing to accuse of him. Daniel is the object of a great governmental conspiracy to assassinate his character and then to kill him eventually. The word conspiracy refers to an evil, unlawful, treacherous or surreptitious plan formulated in secret by two or more persons. Therefore, if we paraphrase this definition we can say that Daniel s 2013 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 4
fellow satraps and supervisors agreed together in secret to find a basis for a charge against him. Conspiracy is evil (Ps. 64:4-5; Prov. 17:11). Daniel 6:4 (6:5) reveals that Daniel is the object of jealousy and envy and is being persecuted because Darius intended to establish him in authority over the entire Babylonian kingdom because he was exceptional in his abilities and talents. Daniel s fellow satraps and supervisors were acting upon their jealousy of Daniel and were envious of him. Their actions served to persecute Daniel. These actions on the part of Daniel s fellow satraps and supervisors was a manifestation of anti-semitism, which is opposition to, prejudice against, or intolerance of the Jewish people. Daniel chapter six records the persecution of Daniel. Persecution is the suffering or pressure, mental, moral, or physical, which authorities, individuals, or crowds inflict on others, especially for opinions or beliefs, with a view to their subjection by recantation, silencing, or, as a last resort, execution. In Daniel chapter six, we see that as a result of being persecuted, Daniel was suffering undeservedly in order to bring glory to God. The Bible teaches that God uses undeserved suffering to advance His children to greater spiritual growth. The believer must experience undeserved suffering since it is through undeserved suffering that the believer is conformed to the image of Christ. Undoubtedly, not only was Daniel the object of jealousy and envy on the part of his fellow satraps and supervisors but also the object of xenophobia because he was a Jewish exile. Xenophobia is an unreasonable fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers. The Medes and the Persians were racially prejudiced towards Daniel who was a Jewish exile since they considered themselves culturally and ethnically superior to the Jews because they were now a world-wide empire who like the Babylonians subjugated the Jews to themselves. Daniel 6:5 (6:6) Therefore, these men concluded, We will never be able to cause a pretext to be found against this Daniel unless we cause it be found in connection with the law originating from his God. (Author s translation) This verse presents the result of the previous statement recorded in Daniel 6:4 (6:5). Therefore, this indicates that as a result of Daniel s fellow supervisors and satraps finding absolutely no pretext against Daniel with regards to his job as a supervisor over the satraps, these men concluded that they must cause a pretext to be found against Daniel with regards to the law of his God. Daniel 6:7 (6:8) records that the prefects and Daniel s fellow supervisors and satraps consulted together that Darius the Mede should establish and enforce a statute prohibiting anyone in the Medo-Persian Empire to petition any god or man besides the king for thirty days. Failure to observe this decree would result in being cast into the lion s den. The decrees of the Medo-Persians could not be revoked according to their law. Daniel 6:10 (6:11) records that Daniel prayed three times 2013 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 5
every day. His fellow satraps and supervisors obviously knew this as indicated by the fact that they coerced Darius into establishing a decree which prohibited people from praying to their god for thirty days and Daniel 6:10 (6:11) records Daniel praying three times a day to his God. This tells the reader why the conspirators are recorded as saying in Daniel 6:5 (6:6) that they will never be able to cause a pretext to be found against Daniel unless they cause it to be found in connection with the law of his God. Thus, we see that the conspirators are using Daniel s spirituality and faithfulness to his God against him as a political weakness. Their actions make clear that they knew that Daniel would rather die than disobey his God. Their conspiracy makes clear that they knew Daniel would obey God rather than the king or the laws of Medo-Persia if they came into conflict with the laws of his God. They also turned the arrogance of Darius into their own political advantage over Daniel. The fact that Darius agrees to such a decree expresses his great arrogance. The conspirators use this to their advantage as well as Daniel s obedience to his God to form the perfect plot to kill Daniel. So there are two reasons why the conspirators knew that their idea would succeed and thus decide to manipulate the king. First, they were assured Darius would agree to their suggestion because they knew that he was so arrogant to agree to such a thing. Secondly, they were convinced that Daniel would obey the laws of his God rather than the laws of Medo-Persian if the latter came into conflict with the former. The laws of the Medes and Persians were absolute but so also were the laws of Daniel s God. Daniel would disobey the laws of the Medes and Persians if they came into conflict with the laws of his God. This is justified civil disobedience in that Daniel would have biblical justification in disobeying Darius decree since it would result in causing him to disobey God. The fact that the conspirators knew of Daniel s habit of praying three times a day to his God indicates that Daniel never hid his relationship with God and that this relationship was public knowledge. The conspirators plot pays a great compliment to Daniel because when they found his integrity impeccable with regards to his duties and responsibilities as a supervisor over the satraps, they sought to use his faithfulness and devotion to God against him. Daniel 6:6 (6:7) Consequently, these supervisors as well as the satraps conspired together to the detriment of the king and said the following to the king, King Darius, live forever! (Author s translation) Daniel 6:6 (6:7) presents the result of the previous statement recorded in Daniel 6:5 (6:6), which indicates that Daniel s fellow supervisors and satraps conspired together against him as a result of concluding that they must cause a pretext to be 2013 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 6
found against Daniel with regards to the law of his God. Daniel 6:7 (6:8) reveals that this decree stated that if any one in the kingdom prays to his god or any man besides the king for thirty days, they will be thrown into the lion s den. Daniel 6:6 (6:7) tells the reader that Daniel s fellow supervisors and satraps came by secret agreement or cooperation for a deceitful purpose and which purpose was to kill Daniel. Thus, we see that Daniel is the object of a great governmental conspiracy to kill him. The word conspiracy refers to an evil, unlawful, treacherous or surreptitious plan formulated in secret by two or more persons. Therefore, if we paraphrase this definition we can say that Daniel s fellow satraps and supervisors agreed together in secret to find a basis for a charge against him. Conspiracy is evil (Ps. 64:4-5; Prov. 17:11). Daniel 6:4 (6:5) reveals that Daniel is the object of jealousy and envy and is being persecuted because Darius intended to establish him in authority over the entire Babylonian kingdom because he was exceptional in his abilities and talents. Daniel s fellow satraps and supervisors were acting upon their jealousy of Daniel and were envious of him. Their actions served to persecute Daniel. Daniel 6:7 (6:8) Each and every one of the supervisors over the kingdom, namely the senior officials well as the satraps, that is the royal officials, in other words the governors are in agreement that the king should issue an edict. Specifically, an interdict, which should be enforced in order that whoever makes a request from any god or human being during a thirty day period except from you, O king, must be unceremoniously deposited into a lion s den. (Author s translation) Daniel 6:7 (6:8) records Daniel s fellow supervisors and satraps making a proposal to Darius, which appears on the surface to be an attempt by the conspirators to deify the king and to unify the Middle and Near East. However, the real purpose of this proposal is to kill Daniel. Out of jealousy and envy toward Daniel the conspirators have presented this proposal to Darius. This verse tells the reader that two groups are involved in the conspiracy. The first is the supervisors who were selected out from the one hundred twenty satraps. Daniel was one of three supervisors chosen. Daniel s performance on behalf of Darius was so impressive to the king that he was intending to install Daniel in authority over all the other two supervisors and the other satraps. This caused them to despise Daniel. The supervisors are described by Daniel as senior officials since they exercised authority over the other satraps. The satraps on the other hand were described as royal officials emphasizing the dignity of their office. They were also called governors which mean that they governed the various provinces in the Babylonian kingdom. The reader is told that these two groups approached Darius. They told the king that they were in agreement that he should issue a decree and specifically, an 2013 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 7
interdict which should be enforced. In other words, they wanted the king to issue a public proclamation which would prohibit anyone in the kingdom from making a request from any god or any human being for thirty days except for him. It is understandable as to why they would want to prohibit praying to any god but it seems unusual they would prohibit someone from making a request from any human being. However, they are speaking of prohibiting someone in the kingdom making a request of any human king who might deify himself. The thirty day period was settled upon by the conspirators since this they considered would be a sufficient amount of time to catch Daniel failing to comply with the decree. The proposal of the supervisors and satraps that Darius establish this edict was an appeal to the king s vanity and arrogance in recognizing in him divine powers and ascribing worship to him. The edict would prohibit anyone form praying to their god or a human being except for Darius during a thirty day period. Thus, it is clear that the proposal was designed to deify Darius. The king was influenced by the claim of deity that many of the Persian kings made. Worshipping Darius as a god would not be unusual in the sixty century B.C. since the Pharaohs of Egypt were worshipped as such from times immemorial. The Caesars of Rome, the Herods, the Seleucids and Ptolemies were called gods and worshipped as such. So this attempt to deify Darius and is not unusual. Fascinatingly, Darius does not notice that Daniel is conspicuously absent. The king should have noticed. Undoubtedly, he didn t notice because his great pride and arrogance blinded him to this fact. The proposal to deify him caused him to overlook Daniel s conspicuous absence. In fact, the king never consults Daniel and Daniel was going to be placed by him in authority over these individuals who were making this proposal. Some argue that the king would have no reason to suspect the other supervisors and satraps plotting Daniel s death. However, in the ancient world conspiracies like these among the satraps was not uncommon. It was not uncommon for dignitaries such as these to plot against one another if there was jealousy and rivalry. So it was either a case of sheer stupidity on Darius part to not ask about Daniel s whereabouts or ask Daniel his opinion on the matter or the king was simply inexperienced with regards to court intrigue. So the flattering proposal caused Darius to overlook Daniel s conspicuous absence. It also caused him to not seek Daniel s advice on the matter before agreeing to it. Daniel 6:8 (6:9) Now please O king establish an interdict. Specifically, please sign the document into law in order that it can never be changed according to Medo-Persian law, which can never be revoked. (Author s translation) The conspirators urge Darius to immediately sign into law the interdict which would prohibit anyone in the Babylonian kingdom from making a request of their 2013 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 8
god or any king and requiring the death penalty for non-compliance. They tell the king that their purpose for urging him to immediately sing this interdict into law was so that it can never be changed according to Medo-Persian law, which can never be revoked. The real purpose was so that there could be no human way possible Daniel could not be executed by the king when he refused to obey the edict. It seems absurd that Darius would agree to such a thing but we must remember that it appealed to the king s vanity and arrogance in recognizing in him divine powers and ascribing worship to him. The proposal was designed to deify Darius. The king was influenced by the claim of deity that many of the Persian kings made. Worshipping Darius as a god would not be unusual in the sixty century B.C. since the Pharaohs of Egypt were worshipped as such from times immemorial. The Caesars of Rome, the Herods, the Seleucids and Ptolemies were called gods and worshipped as such. So this attempt to deify Darius and is not unusual. Therefore, we see that a law was enacted for the sole purpose of putting Daniel to death. Satan was the unseen person behind this law and was his attempt to destroy the Jewish people while in exile in Babylon. By killing Daniel, this would leave the Jewish exiles in Babylon vulnerable to attack and persecution since God was using Daniel as an intermediary for the Jewish exiles before the Babylonian kings. Though not explicitly mentioned, the testimony of Scripture is that Satan was behind this persecution of Daniel and the Jewish people. The Savior of the world would be a descendant of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and specifically would be from the tribe of Judah. Thus, by attempting to kill the Jews in Babylon, Satan would be preventing the incarnation of the Son of God. These actions on the part of Daniel s fellow satraps and supervisors was a manifestation of anti-semitism, which is opposition to, prejudice against, or intolerance of the Jewish people. Daniel 6:9 (6:10) Because of this, King Darius signed the document into law, that is, the interdict. (Author s translation) With the signing into law of the interdict prohibiting anyone in the kingdom from making a request in prayer to their god or any man for thirty days or face the death penalty, it became irrevocable and public knowledge. Though it was designed exclusively to kill Daniel, if enforced, it would have created problems for those Jews in exile who were faithful to the Lord and continued to pray to Yahweh. Again, this is a Satanic attempt to destroy Daniel and his fellow Jewish exiles in Babylon. Undoubtedly, the conspirators were rejoicing in their successful attempt to manipulate the king to put into law a prohibition which they knew Daniel would disobey since they knew that he would choose obedience to his God if the laws of the state came into conflict with the laws of his God. Therefore, law called for justified civil disobedience on the part of Daniel and all Jews in exile in Babylon. 2013 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 9
Daniel 6:10 (6:11) Now when Daniel was aware that the document was signed into law, he entered his home, which had windows in its upper room swung open toward Jerusalem. Then he worshipped on his knees three times during the day. Indeed, as was his custom, he prayed while giving thanks in the presence of his God just as he had been doing previously. (Author s translation) Daniel 6:10 (6:11) records Daniel s response to Darius signing an interdict into law which for thirty days following this signing would demand the death penalty for anyone in his kingdom who prays to anyone except for him. He gives the Christian an excellent example to follow when the laws of the government conflict with the laws of God. Daniel would rather obey God and worship his God in prayer than to obey the laws of the government which would prohibit him from doing so for thirty days. Just as Daniel chapter 3 records Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego practicing justified civil disobedience by defying Nebuchadnezzar s order to worship a gold statute of himself, so Daniel 6:10 (6:11) records Daniel doing the same by defying Darius edict. The Bible does teach that there are certain circumstances in which the Christian is justified in disobeying the governmental authorities. This is called civil disobedience, which is the performance of an intentional act that is prohibited by the civil authorities or a refusal to perform an act that is required by the civil authority (The Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Second Edition, page 263). Christians are commanded to obey the Lord their God (Deuteronomy 13:4; Jeremiah 7:23; John 14:15) and they are also called upon to obey the governing authorities (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17; Titus 3:1). However, civil disobedience becomes an issue for the Christian when these two claims upon the Christian come into conflict meaning when God commands us to do something like proclaim the gospel and teach the Word of God and the civil authorities prohibit this. The solution to this conflict is that the Christian is to obey God. This is illustrated in Acts 5:27-32 when the apostles were commanded by the Jewish authorities to not proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and Peter told them we must obey God rather than men. Daniel s response to Darius signing an interdict into law which would demand putting to death anyone who prayed to their God or any human being during a thirty day period other than the king is also an excellent example for Christians to follow when they are faced with a great adversity. Daniel responded to this threat upon his life and the conspiracy waged against him by worshipping his God in prayer. He was a man characterized by prayer. He was disciplined in that prayer was a habitual activity for him. His prayer life was the same as it was before the adversity struck, which is an excellent example for Christians today who 2013 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 10
unfortunately only turn to prayer when they have an adversity. Not so with Daniel. Prayer was a priority not a last resort. Daniel 6:10 (6:11) records that when Daniel heard that the interdict was signed into law by Darius, he entered his home, which had windows in its upper room swung open toward Jerusalem. Then the text says that he worshipped God on his knees three times during that very day in which Darius sign his death sentence. This worship involved of giving thanks to God in prayer. The text then says that it was Daniel s custom to worship God three times a day by giving thanks to Him prior to the interdict being signed into law. The fact that this was Daniel s custom prior to the interdict being signed into law reveals that worshipping God in prayer was a priority for Daniel despite the fact that he had a tremendous responsibility of being one of three individuals who would serve Darius as supervisors over the other satraps. Thus, Daniel found time to pray even though he was an extremely busy man with great responsibility. His success as supervisor over the satraps can be directly attributed to his prayer life. He never lost sight that God had given him his success as an administrator in the Medo-Persian Empire as well as the Babylonian Empire. Interestingly, Daniel 6:10 (6:11) also says that Daniel prayed while kneeling, which expresses his humility and submission to the will of God. The Scriptures do not require kneeling while praying but the Scriptures do record individuals kneeling while praying during times of great adversity such as the Lord Jesus Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. Also, Daniel prayed while facing Jerusalem. Daniel did this because of what Solomon said at the dedication of the temple (1 Kings 8:44, 48; 2 Chronicles 6:29, 34, 38). The text also says that he prayed three times a day which would be the third, sixth and ninth hour of the day meaning nine o clock in the morning, noontime and three o clock in the afternoon (cf. Acts 2:15; 10:9; 3:1; 10:30; compare Daniel 9:21). The fact that Daniel prayed while facing Jerusalem demonstrated his faith in the promise that God would answer the prayer of exiled Jews when they prayed in the direction of the temple in Jerusalem. Thus, when he gave thanks to God in prayer, he most likely was thanking God for answering his prayer to deliver him as God had promised the Jews He would do if they prayed to Him. Furthermore, Daniel 6:10 (6:11) tells the reader that the windows in the upper room of his home which were facing toward Jerusalem were swung wide open by Daniel when he was praying to God. This indicates that he was not ashamed that people saw him praying. It makes clear that he was not afraid if anyone saw him praying and reporting him to the government officials. Undoubtedly, Daniel was praying for Darius and the conspirators as well as for himself and his fellow Jewish exiles. He also went to God in prayer because he 2013 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 11
was involved with spiritual combat with Satan and the fallen angels. This too is an excellent example for Christians to follow today. When Satan and his kingdom are waging war against the church which they do (Ephesians 6:10-18), the Christian should turn to prayer. Daniel 6:10 (6:11) also teaches us that Daniel worshipped God in prayer by giving thanks to Him. One of the characteristics of a productive prayer life is that of thankfulness (Matt 15:36; 26:27; Mark 8:6; 14:23; Luke 22:17-19; John 6:11; 23; 11:41; Acts 27:35; 28:15; Rom. 1:8; 7:25; 1 Cor. 1:4; 11:24; Eph. 5:20; Col. 1:12; 3:17; Phlp. 1:3-4; 4:6; 1 Thess. 1:2; 2:13). This verse also teaches us that prayer was a habitual activity for Daniel. It was a daily activity. In fact, he worshipped God in prayer three times during the course of his busy day. Daniel had an exemplary prayer life. He served as a great example for Christians in the twenty-first century. Daniel 6:11 (6:12) Then these men conspired together, namely, they found Daniel making request, specifically, making an earnest and urgent prayer request in the presence of his God. (Author s translation) This verse presents Daniel s response to Darius signing into law an interdict which demanded a person to be executed if they prayed to their god or any human being with the exception of the king in the next thirty days. Daniel s fellow supervisors and satraps conspired together in coercing Darius to sign this interdict into law. Immediately after the interdict was signed into law, the conspirators went to Daniel s home to find him breaking this law. They found him making an urgent and earnest prayer request from his God to deliver him from death. The conspirators were no doubt rejoicing since they were all eyewitnesses that Daniel broke the newly signed law. Daniel s response to this tremendous adversity is an excellent example for Christians to follow when they are faced with a great adversity. Prayer was the first resort for Daniel and not the last resort (1 Peter 5:6; Philippians 4:6-7). Daniel 6:12 (6:13) Consequently they came into the king s presence and posed a question with regards to the interdict issued by the king, Did you not sign an interdict, namely that, any person who makes a request from any god or human being during a thirty day period except from you, O king, must be unceremoniously deposited into a lion s den? The king replied and said, Absolutely, the decree is according to Medo-Persian law, which can never be revoked. (Author s translation) Daniel 6:12 (6:13) records that as a result of Daniel s fellow satraps and supervisors finding Daniel at home making request from his God to deliver him from death, they immediately reported this to Darius. They posed a question to Darius asking him if he did not sign into law a decree which required the death penalty to be administered to anyone in his kingdom who prayed to any god or 2013 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 12
human being during a thirty day period with the exception of himself. They repeat verbatim the decree to the king. They remind him of this order so that he will have no choice but to execute Daniel since Medo-Persian law could never be revoked even by the king. They are involved in hypocrisy because they are portraying themselves as being concerned about Darius honor and people in his kingdom respecting his laws when in reality their true motivation was to force the king to execute Daniel. They were concealing their jealousy and envy toward Daniel because the king was going to promote him over the entire kingdom. These conspirators were pretending to be zealous for the king and his laws so as to force him to execute Daniel. This echoes the strategy of certain jealous and envious dignitaries in Nebuchadnezzar s kingdom who sought to kill Daniel s three friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego as recorded in Daniel 3:10-11. These unidentified dignitaries repeated verbatim Nebuchadnezzar s order to execute anyone who did not worship the gold statue he erected of himself. They reminded Nebuchadnezzar of this order and warning in order to set him up to be angry with Daniel s three friends. All the while they were concealing their jealousy and envy of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and their true motivation from the king which was to kill these three. Daniel s fellow supervisors and satraps were making a pretense of having a virtuous character or desirable or publicly approved attitude, which they did not possess. They made a pretense of having concern over Darius reputation and his laws. Daniel 6:13 (6:14) Thus they replied in the presence of the king and said that, Daniel, who is one of the deported people from Judah, has absolutely no respect for your command, O king, that is, for your interdict, which you signed into law. Instead, three times during the course of the day, he regularly makes his request. (Author s translation) As a direct consequence of Darius affirming that he had in fact signed into law the interdict they suggested, the conspirators proceeded to inform the king that Daniel had not only violated this law but that three times during the course of the day, he regularly made his request from his God in prayer. They not only are telling Darius that Daniel had broken the interdict but they actually are affirming with the king that Daniel did this prior to the decree. Note, they said he did this regularly which means that they not only observed him praying three times during the day immediately after the decree was signed into law but they observed him prior to this decree. They observed him regularly praying to his God, which gave them the idea of manipulating Darius to sign into law the interdict to administer the death penalty to anyone who makes a request from their god or any human being with the exception of the king for a period of thirty days. 2013 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 13
The conspirators knew Daniel would not comply with this edict since they observed him praying not only once a day but three times during the course of his day. Thus, we can understand why they are recorded as saying in Daniel 6:5 (6:6) that they will never be able to cause a pretext to be found against Daniel unless they cause it to be found in connection with the law of his God. Thus, these conspirators used Daniel s spirituality and faithfulness to his God against him as a political weakness. The fact that Daniel prayed three times a day to his God demonstrated to them that he was committed to his God, that he was dedicated and devoted to his God. Their conspiracy makes clear that they knew Daniel would obey God rather than the king or the laws of Medo-Persia if they came into conflict with the laws of his God. The fact that the conspirators knew of Daniel s habit of praying three times a day to his God indicates that Daniel never hid his relationship with God and that this relationship was public knowledge. The conspirators plot pays a great compliment to Daniel because when they found his integrity impeccable with regards to his duties and responsibilities as a supervisor over the satraps, they sought to use his faithfulness and devotion to God against him. Notice also the conspirators identify Daniel not as one of their fellow satraps or fellow supervisors but rather that he was a Jewish exile. This not only shows their contempt for Daniel because he was a member of a people in captivity in Babylon but also that Daniel was the object of xenophobia because he was a Jewish exile. Xenophobia is an unreasonable fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers. The conspirators who were Medes and Persians were racially prejudiced towards Daniel who was a Jewish exile since they considered themselves culturally and ethnically superior to the Jews because they were now a world-wide empire who like the Babylonians subjugated the Jews to themselves. Thus, by identifying Daniel as a Jewish captive, they were insulting him in the presence of Darius. Also, by identifying him as a Jewish exile, the conspirators are attempting to demonize Daniel as much as possible in order to make clear to the king that Daniel must be put to death. It was not enough for them to inform the king that Daniel had broken the newly signed interdict but they wanted to paint him in an even worse light by identifying him as a Jewish exile. The conspirators wanted the case against Daniel to be overwhelming against him so that Darius would be enraged against him. This same tactic was used against Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego as recorded in Daniel chapter three. It worked against Daniel s three friends but not against Daniel himself since Darius admired and respected him. So much so that he spent all evening the night before Daniel s execution attempting to find some loophole to deliver Daniel. The reason for informing Darius that Daniel had violated the interdict was envy and jealousy. Daniel 6:4 (6:5) reveals that Daniel is the object of jealousy and envy 2013 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 14
and is being persecuted because Darius intended to establish him in authority over the entire Babylonian kingdom because he was exceptional in his abilities and talents. Daniel s fellow satraps and supervisors were acting upon their jealousy of Daniel and were envious of him. Their actions served to persecute Daniel. Therefore, we can see that since jealous and envy is demonic, this jealousy and envy directed toward Daniel was demonic and was used by Satan in an attempt to destroy the Jewish people. By killing Daniel, this would leave the Jewish exiles in Babylon vulnerable to attack and persecution since God was using Daniel as an intermediary for the Jewish exiles before the Babylonian kings. Daniel 6:14 (6:15) Consequently when the king heard the charge against him he was extremely upset. Thus, with regards to Daniel, he was determined to deliver him. Indeed, until sunset, he repeatedly made every effort to rescue him. (Author s translation) Upon hearing the news that Daniel had disobeyed the interdict which he recently signed into law, Darius the Mede became extremely upset and consequently was determined to deliver Daniel from death. In fact, the king was so determined that he repeatedly made every effort until sundown when the execution would take place to rescue Daniel. Evidently, the interdict prescribed that the sentence of death be carried out the same day as the crime. So Darius made every attempt to rescue Daniel, right up to the moment of execution. These efforts would involve laboring all day with lawyers and other governmental officials to find a flaw or loophole that could save Daniel. The king was extremely upset not only with hearing the news of his favorite and most prized satrap violated the interdict but also he was extremely upset with the supervisors and satraps who manipulated him into signing the interdict into law. Furthermore, he was extremely upset with himself for allowing himself to be manipulated and not having enough discernment to see the true motive of the conspirators when they proposed this interdict to him. The king was not upset with Daniel since he had done nothing wrong to Darius but was the object of the conspirator s wrath. In fact, remember, the king was so impressed with Daniel that he was going to give him authority over the entire kingdom. The king s intention to do this led to the plot against Daniel. The king s frantic attempts to save reveal the great admiration and respect and even love he had for Daniel. This incident of Darius being manipulated by members of his government serves as an excellent example of why Christians today should obey the command to pray for their leaders since they are besieged from every direction by men and women who have evil intentions. Daniel 6:15 (6:16) Then these men conspired together to the detriment of the king and said to the king, Please remember, O king, that with regards to 2013 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 15
Medo-Persian law, each and every interdict, specifically, edict, which the king does issue is irrevocable. (Author s translation) After the conspirators charged Daniel with disobeying the law, which Darius recently signed into law, the king frantically made every effort to save Daniel from the death penalty. Throughout that day, the king pursued every legal avenue possible in order to find a loophole which would enable him to rescue Daniel. The execution was to take place the very day in which the charges were made against Daniel. As the day was coming to an end and the execution was to take place, the conspirators approach the king and politely remind him that each and every Medo- Persian law is irrevocable. Thus, Daniel s fate was sealed. They were in effect telling the king that you must execute Daniel immediately. The fact that Daniel s fellow supervisors and satraps introduced to Darius the idea of the law which condemned Daniel to death and then reminded the king of the irrevocability of this law made clear to Darius that these men did not share the same view of Daniel as he did. It revealed to the king that Daniel s fellow supervisors and satraps conspired together against him. Darius was now certain that they had manipulated him into signing into law the interdict prohibiting any one from praying to their god for a month. It was now clear to the king that they were in a rush to execute Daniel. He then could see that they were jealous and envious of Daniel because he was intending to place Daniel in authority over all of them. This foolish action on the part of the conspirators would work against them since Darius would execute them when Daniel s God shut the mouths of the lions. The conspirators ill-advised action of reminding Darius of the irrevocability of Medo-Persian which he was well aware of infuriated the king even more. They were not only expressing their contempt for Daniel but mocking the king as well since in effect they were saying to him you are powerless to save Daniel and we know it. You ve been made a fool of. The king now knew they certainly didn t have his best interests in mind and could never be trusted. They were traitors and deserved death, not Daniel. The actions of the conspirators also would make clear to Darius that he was absolutely right in choosing Daniel to be in authority over everyone in the kingdom. The impatience of the conspirators to have Darius give the order to execute Daniel blinded them to the fact that they were exposing their conspiracy to the king. They were so determined to have Daniel executed that they exposed themselves in full view of Darius as conspiring against Daniel and manipulating the king to sign into law an edict, which Daniel disobeyed. Amazingly, the conspirators underestimated the fact that Darius valued Daniel so greatly. They were seeking the death penalty for a man the king greatly valued, admired and respected. The king s intention of placing Daniel in authority over the entire kingdom was the result of the king being so impressed with Daniel s 2013 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 16
abilities, talents and character. By coming out into the open and demonstrating their hostility toward Daniel in the presence of Darius, was absolutely foolish. Their arrogance and hostility toward Daniel blinded them to the fact that the king could retaliate against them at any time. They should have never approached the king again. By doing so, they wrote their own death sentence for the king was sure to retaliate and give Daniel justice whether Daniel s God saved him or not. Daniel 6:16 (6:17) Therefore the king issued an order for the purpose of causing Daniel to be brought in to be unceremoniously deposited into a lion s den. The king encouraged Daniel and said, Your God, because you yourself serve Him faithfully, will rescue you. (Author s translation) After doing all he can to find a loophole legally so as to deliver Daniel from death, Darius issues an order to have him brought into his presence in order to execute him. As Daniel was unceremoniously being deposited into the lion s den the king encouraged him by declaring that his God would deliver him from the mouths of the lions because he served his God faithfully. In other words, Darius is saying that Daniel s faithful service to his God is the basis for his confidence that Daniel s God will deliver from death. Faithfulness is one of the attributes of a mature believer and is produced by the Holy Spirit in the believer when the believer obeys Him as He speaks through the teaching of the Word of God, which He inspired (Num. 12:7; Mt. 24:25; Lk. 12:42; 16:10-12; Rm. 1:8, 11-12; 1 Co. 4:17; 1 Th. 1:2-9; Galatians. 5:22-23; Eph. 1:1; 6:21; Colossians. 1:2, 7; 2:5; 1 Ti. 1:12; Tit. 2:9-10; Rev. 2:10). So the king is affirming the fact that Daniel was faithful to his God. Daniel serves as an example of how to witness properly before the unsaved. Daniel was not only faithful to his God but also he served Darius faithfully, which resulted in Darius intending to place him in authority over the entire kingdom. Daniel s faithful service to God and to the authority God placed over him serves as an excellent example for church age believers today. Believers demonstrate not only faithfulness to God but also be faithful in carrying out their duties for those whom they serve at work. They are to have impeccable integrity. Darius is acknowledging the ability of the God of Israel to deliver Daniel from death. He views Daniel s God as a God of deliverance. The Christian s God is a God of deliverance. Darius recognizes God s sovereignty over the situation with Daniel. He recognizes that God can overrule his decision and save Daniel from death. The term sovereignty connotes a situation in which a person, from his innate dignity, exercises supreme power, with no areas of his province outside his jurisdiction. As applied to God, the term sovereignty indicates His complete power over all of creation, so that He exercises His will absolutely, without any necessary conditioning by a finite will or wills (Isaiah 40:15-17). In Acts 17:22-34, the apostle Paul also taught that the nations receive their time and place as a result 2013 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 17