Chapter Summary
Core Passages from Daniel 6
Daniel 6:10When 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.
When Daniel heard about the new law, he didn't hide his faith. He continued his habit of prayer just as he always had. This shows that his relationship with God was more important to him than his own safety.Daniel 6:22My 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."
Daniel credits his survival to God's messenger, proving that God is actively involved in protecting those who are innocent and faithful. It highlights that God's power is greater than any physical threat.Daniel 6:26-27I 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. 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.
King Darius, a pagan ruler, ends up praising God as the 'living God' who works wonders. This demonstrates how one person's faithfulness can lead an entire kingdom to recognize God's authority.
Historical & Cultural Context
A Promotion and a Plot
Following the fall of Babylon in chapter 5, a new ruler named Darius takes over. He recognizes Daniel's incredible wisdom and plans to put him in charge of the entire kingdom. This promotion sparks intense jealousy among the other leaders, who begin searching for any mistake or scandal they can use to ruin Daniel's reputation. However, Daniel's work is so excellent and his character so clean that they realize they can only trap him by using his religious devotion against him.
The Trap is Sprung
The jealous officials trick King Darius into signing a law that forbids anyone from praying to any god or man except the king for thirty days. Because of the 'Law of the Medes and Persians,' once the king signs this, it cannot be changed - not even by the king himself. Daniel hears the news but refuses to stop his daily habit of praying toward Jerusalem. He is caught in the act, and the king is forced, with a heavy heart, to throw his favorite official into a pit of hungry lions.
The Trial and Triumph of Daniel
In Daniel 6:1-28, the setting is the royal court of the Medo-Persian Empire, where political tension leads to a miraculous display of God's power. The chapter moves from the halls of government to a private room of prayer, then to a dark den of predators, and finally to a royal decree of praise.
The Conspiracy of Jealousy (Daniel 6:1-9)
1 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 presidents 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.
Commentary:
Jealous leaders trick the king into banning prayer to anyone but himself to trap the blameless Daniel.
Faithfulness Over Fear (Daniel 6:10-15)
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."
Commentary:
Daniel continues to pray openly despite the new law, leading to his arrest and the king's deep regret.
Miracle in the Den (Daniel 6:16-23)
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.
Commentary:
God protects Daniel from the lions, and he emerges unharmed because of his unwavering trust.
Justice and a New Decree (Daniel 6:24-28)
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.
Commentary:
The conspirators are punished, and the king commands everyone to respect the God who rescued Daniel.
Timeless Truths from the Lions' Den
Integrity as a Witness
Daniel's life shows that being excellent at your job is a form of worship. His enemies couldn't find any 'error or fault' in him, which forced them to acknowledge that his only 'weakness' was his total commitment to God.
The Priority of Prayer
Prayer was Daniel's daily lifeline, not a last resort. By praying 'as he had done previously,' he showed that a consistent spiritual routine provides the courage needed when a crisis actually hits.
God's Sovereignty Over Law
While the 'Law of the Medes and Persians' was considered unchangeable by men, this chapter proves that God's word and His will are the ultimate authority. No human decree can stop God from acting on behalf of His people.
Applying Daniel's Courage to Your Life
Follow Daniel's example in verses 3-4 by maintaining such high standards of honesty and excellence that no one can rightfully complain about your work. Let your character be your best defense, trusting that God sees your integrity even when others try to undermine you.
Daniel 6:10 shows that Daniel's strength in the crisis came from his habits before the crisis. You can apply this by building a consistent time for prayer and reflection now, so that when life gets difficult, your foundation is already solid.
Like Daniel in verses 10-11, you are called to prioritize your relationship with God over the fear of people. This means being steady and unashamed in your devotion, not loud or aggressive. Know that God protects you.
God Rescues Those Who Trust Him
Daniel 6 reveals that God is not a distant observer but a living Savior who intervenes in the lives of His people. In Daniel - the faithful servant - we see that true success is found in a life of prayer and uncompromising integrity. The message is clear: when we are backed into a corner by the world, we can stand firm because our God is the one who delivers and rescues. He works wonders in the highest heavens and the deepest pits, inviting us to trust His power over any earthly threat.
What This Means for Us Today
Faith is not the absence of danger, but the presence of God in the midst of it. Daniel didn't avoid the lions' den, but he was never alone inside it. This chapter invites us to live with such consistency that our faith becomes the most visible part of our lives.
- Is there an area of your life where you are tempted to compromise your values to fit in?
- How can you make prayer a more 'non-negotiable' part of your daily routine?
- What 'lion' are you currently facing that you need to hand over to God's protection?
Further Reading
Immediate Context
Connections Across Scripture
A promise of God's protection through angels, specifically mentioning treading on lions.
A New Testament reflection on heroes of faith who 'stopped the mouths of lions' through their trust in God.
Discussion Questions
- Daniel prayed with his windows open toward Jerusalem even though he knew it was dangerous. Why do you think he didn't pray secretly in a closet?
- King Darius clearly liked Daniel but felt trapped by his own law. What does this tell us about the limits of human power compared to God's power?
- In what ways do we face 'lions' today, and how can Daniel's response help us face those modern-day threats?