It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps, to be throughout the whole kingdom; 2 and over them three high officials, of whom Daniel was one, to whom these satraps should give account, so that the king might suffer no loss. 3 Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. 4 Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him. 5 Then these men said, “We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.”
6 Then these high officials and satraps came by agreement to the king and said to him, “O King Darius, live forever! 7 All the high officials of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked.” 9 Therefore King Darius signed the document and injunction.
10 When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. 11 Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and plea before his God. 12 Then they came near and said before the king, concerning the injunction, “O king! Did you not sign an injunction, that anyone who makes petition to any god or man within thirty days except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered and said, “The thing stands fast, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked.” 13 Then they answered and said before the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or the injunction you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”
14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was much distressed and set his mind to deliver Daniel. And he labored till the sun went down to rescue him. 15 Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or ordinance that the king establishes can be changed.”
16 Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” 17 And a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords, that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel. 18 Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no diversions were brought to him, and sleep fled from him.
19 Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” 21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” 23 Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. 24 And the king commanded, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and cast into the den of lions—they, their children, and their wives. And before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces.
25 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: “Peace be multiplied to you. 26 I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel,
for he is the living God,
enduring forever;
his kingdom shall never be destroyed,
and his dominion shall be to the end.
27 He delivers and rescues;
he works signs and wonders
in heaven and on earth,
he who has saved Daniel
from the power of the lions.”
28 So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian. Daniel 6 ESV
Daniel 6: 1-9 Leading up to the Lion's Den
1-5 It pleased Darius - Now we see the next kingdom from the image of Nebuchadnezzar's dream, Neb being the head of gold and Babylon, now we move down from the head to the body and arms of silver, which is the empire shared by the Medes and Persians. So who is Darius? Well commentators and scholars disagree on who he is, but here are two prevalent ideas:
iii. It may be that Darius was an ancient official known as Gubaru in ancient documents, whom Cyrus appointed as ruler over Babylon immediately after its capture. It is the opinion of this commentator that this Gubaru was the same person as Darius. In fact, “Darius” may be an honorific title meaning, “holder of the scepter.”
iv. Ancient documents show that the man Gubaru had the power to make appointments, to assemble an army, to levy taxes, and to possess palaces. Gubaru was in a very real sense the king over Babylon. - David Guzik from Enduring Word
So this first view looks at Darius as someone under Cyrus who is basically a vassal for this region, Babylon, to be recognized as bearing the seal and having access to the full weight of Cyrus backing him.
Another idea stems from the use of the word Darius, because it is seen during the reign of 5 different rulers, and could be very much like the word Pharaoh. There were many pharaohs, and when people use just the title, oh Pharaoh, oh king, oh Cesar, oh, but we don't know which one you are talking about unless we know the time of the rule and who was ruling during that time. Like, for instance, Pharaoh Neco, reigned during the time of King Neb, and he was the Pharaoh that killed king Josiah of Jerusalem. With this understanding, if this be the case, then it is most likely a reference to Cyrus.
But an explanation that I prefer is that Darius is just another name for Cyrus, just another name for Cyrus. I feel that that’s perhaps the best explanation of all. Why? Because the word Darius is a title. It is a title. It’s kind of like Pharaoh, or king, or Caesar. It’s a title.
We find the word Darius, for example, used on inscriptions in archeology for at least five different Persian rulers. They’re all called “Darius.” So it seems best to see this as a title, as a title of honor, a title of significance. And so, we could assume, then, that it is just a title given to Cyrus. And if you look at 6:28, you might get some little help on that.
It says, “So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius - ” and, of course, in the Aramaic it could read “ - even in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.” And there are some commentators who favor that rendering, rather than “ - and the reign of Cyrus - ” making them parallel, using “ - even in the reign of Cyrus.” - J Mac
120 satraps - Merriam-Webster defines satrap as a governor of a province in ancient Persia.
Over them three high officials - Daniel was one of these and the satraps answered to him, so he is like a Prime Minister once again. A new kingdom, yet God keeps Daniel in his place of authority. His job is to make sure these satraps do what they are supposed to do, "so that the king might suffer no loss", and of course Daniel is the best, for his integrity is to the death, his wisdom is unequaled. Imagine when the Persians came into the palace and killed Belshazzar, and then find this guy with a purple robe, a gold chain, and they ask who he is, wow, what a story, and Daniel's legend was already known at least as far as Tyre in the other direction. Once you have even a small understanding of human depravity then you realize why the king wanted managers over his managers.
…5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes. 6Like cutting off one’s own feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool. 7Like lame legs hanging limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.… Proverbs 26: 5-7
1So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 3I care very little, however, if I am judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.… 1 Corinthians 4: 1-3
An excellent spirit was in him - He did his work as unto the highest authority, God, and so there was no higher bar, the king would not have to worry about what was under Daniel's charge. He had a beautiful attitude in all of this as well, as one who cannot be constantly surveyed by the king, yet answered to the King of kings, the One Who never lacks knowledge of anything, not even the most slightest thought of the heart, He knows it all. The king planned to promote Daniel, for though he was neither Chaldean nor Persian or Mede, yet he was the greatest man in the kingdom.
…38So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, in whom the Spirit of God abides?” 39Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. 40You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people are to obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.”… Genesis 41: 38-40
Sought to find ground for complaint against Daniel - This is the sister passage to Daniel 3 where Shadrach, Meshech and Abednego were so lovingly treated by their peers when they would not bow down to an idol. At the heart of this is envy, hatred, the disgust they feel towards light, and that is what Daniel is, but it exposes what they are. Men envied him when he was 14, and he is pushing close to 90 now, yet his record has remained unmarred. This is their chance though, they are under new management that has not spent so long with Daniel, and they think there is a window of opportunity.
Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, 7 and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!”
8 But he refused. “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. 9 No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” 10 And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.
11 One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. 12 She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.
13 When she saw that he had left his cloak in her hand and had run out of the house, 14 she called her household servants. “Look,” she said to them, “this Hebrew has been brought to us to make sport of us! He came in here to sleep with me, but I screamed. 15 When he heard me scream for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.”
16 She kept his cloak beside her until his master came home. 17 Then she told him this story: “That Hebrew slave you brought us came to me to make sport of me. 18 But as soon as I screamed for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.”
19 When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, “This is how your slave treated me,” he burned with anger. 20 Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined.
But while Joseph was there in the prison, 21 the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. 22 So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. 23 The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did. Genesis 39: 6-23
But they could not find ground...because he was faithful - What a terrible guy, oh that this could always be said about me. Daniel has saved the lives of men he doesn't agree with, has been a great teacher and statesman, the best example, holding the highest integrity, but this makes you an alien to the world. Just because they can't find anything true about him for their cause doesn't mean men won't lie, but your word against Daniel's is not something these men want to test out, they are at least smarter than that. I don't think Potiphar's wife was and that is why Joseph kept his head, because though Potiphar was embarrassed, he didn't kill his slave, because I don't think he believed his wife.
Lehman Strauss - The promotion and primacy of Daniel marked the beginning of some real trouble for this godly old sage. The twin sins of envy and jealousy, stirred by the devil in the hearts of the other members of the king's cabinet, aroused those men to plot evil against Daniel. Their anticipated gain through graft and other dishonorable means would be in jeopardy as long as Daniel held the number one post in the king's cabinet. Then, too, they could not stand having this foreigner, and a Hebrew at that, in the position of superiority over them. (Lehman Strauss Commentary - The Prophecies of Daniel) - Precept Austin
…15But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ. 17For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.… 1 Peter 3: 15-17
Unless we find it in connection with the law of his God - Where no issue exist someone will make something up. Where there is the least prejudice, people will scream the loudest about it. Daniel has so much integrity in the affairs of the country that they will have to go after the very thing that separates him, his love and fear of the Living God. Use his integrity against him. What wrong has Daniel committed against these men?
…7In the twelfth year of King Xerxes, in the first month, the month of Nisan, the Pur (that is, the lot) was cast before Haman to determine a day and month. And the lot fell on the twelfth month, the month of Adar. 8Then Haman informed King Xerxes, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples of every province of your kingdom. Their laws are different from everyone else’s, and they do not obey the king’s laws. So it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. 9If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will deposit ten thousand talents of silver into the royal treasury to pay those who carry it out.”… Esther 3: 7-9
16When David had finished saying these things, Saul called back, “Is that your voice, David my son?” Then Saul wept aloud 17and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil. 18And you have shown this day how well you have dealt with me; for when the LORD delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me.… 1 Samuel 24: 16-18
6-8 "All the high officials...are agreed" - I don't doubt the vast majority did, but I know one that didn't support this, for it would go against God, light and reason, to do this. Men suspend the best judgment all the time when those over them say, "no, this is the way we are going to do this", but this is different. Daniel has no issue with obeying a command that does not go against God, but these men know that his loyalty to God is greater than his loyalty to the king. So make a stupid law.
…2He alone is my rock and my salvation. He is my fortress; I will never be shaken. 3How long will you threaten a man? Will all of you throw him down like a leaning wall or a tottering fence? 4They fully intend to cast him down from his lofty perch; they delight in lies; with their mouths they bless, but inwardly they curse. Selah… Psalm 62: 2-4
Why are the nations in an uproar (ragash), and the peoples devising a vain thing?
Comment: Ragash denotes the uproar and plotting of the wicked against the righteous. Think of the picture of a lynch mob gathering together to mete out their brand of justice. Note in Psalm 2 that the wicked are coming against the LORD and His Messiah (Mashiyach)! - Precept Austin
The king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction - So, in Persian government the king's word can be signed into law, and it cannot be changed, which is a rather arrogant assumption that the king will always be right. Persian kings were under the law, upheld the law, and held up even that which was written by the kings before them. Once he makes it a law, even the king cannot revoke his own law. This was useful in the case of Cyrus's edict which extended to the Jews resources to return and rebuild a temple.
Whoever makes petition to any god - This is the important part of their edict, because Daniel prays to his God 3 times a day and his light is not hid under any bushel. When they look for something to say against him, well he is certainly dedicated to His God and a creature of habit. You set your deer stand up where you see the most consistent activity.
…13Then Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and it was restored to full use, just like the other. 14But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus. 15Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Large crowds followed Him, and He healed them all,… Matthew 12: 13-15
…19When anxiety overwhelms me, Your consolation delights my soul. 20Can a corrupt throne be Your ally— one devising mischief by decree? 21They band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.… Psalm 94: 19-21
Except to you, O king - Playing to his ego, but this is not going to go in their favor later, when he realizes it was all about their egos and wanting the death of the best servant in the kingdom. Flattery and envy working together on the same team.
…5As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6And whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into the blazing fiery furnace.” 7Therefore, as soon as all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, and all kinds of music, the people of every nation and language would fall down and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.… Daniel 3: 5-7
…5A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet. 6An evil man is caught by his own sin, but a righteous one sings and rejoices. 7The righteous consider the cause of the poor, but the wicked have no regard for such concerns.… Proverbs 29: 5-7
…20My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant. 21His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed. 22Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.… Psalm 55: 20-22
1For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD. An oracle is in my heart regarding the transgression of the wicked man: There is no fear of God before his eyes. 2For his eyes are too full of conceit to detect or hate his own sin. 3The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and well-doing.… Psalm 36: 1-3
King Darius signed the document - This was probably no small feat since these edicts were irrevocable, but they were cunning in making it only for 30 days, this makes it pass under less scrutiny. They elevated him in his ego, gave him something seemingly harmless, since it was only for a month and then it would be over, but like Neb looking out over Babylon and all he had accomplished, vanity of vanities, yet he believed. It is that humanist religion, that autonomy, narcissism, that man will rise to what he sees as his rightful place, always trying to climb in some other way, find the fountain of youth, sneak back into the garden and taste of the tree of life. He builds towers and succumbs to his delusion. Who can stand against the Holy God?
…18This very day the noble women of Persia and Media who have heard about the queen’s conduct will say the same thing to all the king’s officials, resulting in much contempt and wrath. 19So if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree, and let it be recorded in the laws of Persia and Media so that it cannot be repealed, that Vashti shall never again enter the presence of King Xerxes, and that her royal position shall be given to a woman better than she. 20The edict the king issues will be heard throughout his vast kingdom—and so all women, from the least to the greatest, will honor their husbands.”… Esther 1: 18-20
Law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked - Nebuchadnezzar had absolute power with no such restriction that he could not revoke a law. The interesting fact is that the devotion of the Medes and Persians to established laws eventually made it difficult for their government to function efficiently. They found themselves swamped in a bureaucratic quagmire due to the profusion of their laws and this fact appears to be the main reason the MedoPersian form of government was termed inferior to that of Nebuchadnezzar, the absolute dictator of Babylon, whose slightest word was law. (Da 2:38, 39).
Lehman Strauss - Even if a king passed the death sentence upon one of his subjects, and later evidence led him to the conclusion that he erred in passing the sentence, he was unable to reverse his decision. (Lehman Strauss Commentary – The Prophecies of Daniel) - Precept Austin
