The Plot against Daniel
1Darius decided6:1 Lit It was pleasing before Darius to appoint 120 satraps over the kingdom, stationed throughout the realm,
2and over them three administrators, including Daniel.6:2 Dn 2:48–49; 5:16,29 These satraps would be accountable to them so that the king would not be defrauded.6:2 Ezr 4:22; Est 7:4
3Daniel6:3 Lit Now this Daniel distinguished himself above the administrators and satraps because he had an extraordinary spirit,6:3 Dn 5:12,14; 9:23 so the king planned to set him over the whole realm.6:3 Gn 41:40; Est 10:3
4The administrators and satraps, therefore, kept trying to find a charge against Daniel6:4 Gn 43:18; Jdg 14:4; Jr 20:10; Dn 3:8; Lk 20:20 regarding the kingdom. But they could find no charge or corruption,6:4 Dn 6:22; Lk 20:26; 23:14; Php 2:15; 1Pt 2:12; 3:16 for he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him.
5Then these men said, “We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.”6:5 Ac 24:13–16,20–21
6So the administrators and satraps went together to the king and said to him, “May King Darius live forever.6:6 Neh 2:3; Dn 2:4; 5:10; 6:21
7All the administrators of the kingdom6:7 Dn 3:2,27 — the prefects, satraps, advisers, and governors — have agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an edict that, for thirty days, anyone who petitions any god or man except you, the king, will be thrown into the lions’ den.6:7 Ps 10:9; Dn 3:6; 6:16
Daniel in the Lions’ Den
10When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house. The windows in its upstairs room opened toward Jerusalem,6:10 1Kg 8:44–49; Ps 5:7; Jnh 2:4 and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God,6:10 Ps 34:1; Dn 9:4–19; Php 4:6; 1Th 5:17–18 just as he had done before.
11Then these men went as a group and found6:11 Ps 37:32–33; Dn 6:6 Daniel petitioning and imploring his God.
12So they approached the king6:12 Dn 3:8–12; Ac 16:19–21 and asked about his edict: “Didn’t you sign an edict that for thirty days any person who petitions any god or man except you, the king, will be thrown into the lions’ den?”
The king answered, “As a law of the Medes and Persians, the order stands6:12 Lit the word is certain and is irrevocable.”6:12 Est 1:19; Dn 6:8,15
16So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den.6:16 2Sm 3:39; Jr 38:5; Dn 6:7 The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you continually serve,6:16 Jb 5:19; Ps 37:39–40; Is 41:10; 2Co 1:10 rescue you!”
Daniel Released
19At the first light of dawn the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den.
21Then Daniel spoke with the king: “May the king live forever.
23The king was overjoyed and gave orders to take Daniel out of the den. When Daniel was brought up from the den, he was found to be unharmed, for he trusted in his God.6:23 1Ch 5:20; 2Ch 20:20; Ps 118:8–9; Is 26:3; Dn 3:17–18
24The king then gave the command, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel6:24 Lit had eaten his pieces6:24 Dn 3:8; 6:12–13 were brought and thrown into the lions’ den — they, their children, and their wives.6:24 Dt 24:16; 2Kg 14:6; Est 9:10 They had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.
Darius Honors God
For he is the living God,
and he endures forever;
and his dominion has no end.
27He rescues and delivers;
he performs signs and wonders
in the heavens and on the earth,6:27 Dn 4:2–3
for he has rescued Daniel
from the power of the lions.”
28So Daniel prospered6:28 Dn 1:21 during the reign of Darius and6:28 Or Darius, even the reign of Cyrus the Persian.6:28 2Ch 36:22–23; Dn 10:1
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