1
(6-2) Then it pleased Darius to appoint one hundred and twenty satraps over his kingdom; they were to be placed throughout the whole kingdom;
2
(6-3) and over them were appointed three high officials, of whom Daniel was one; to these the satraps were to give account, so that the king might suffer no loss.
3
(6-4) Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the high officials and the satraps, because he had an extraordinary spirit; and the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.
4
(6-5) Then the high officials and the satraps sought grounds for accusation against Daniel in matters of government, but they could find no ground or fault, because he was faithful, and no negligence or fault was found in him.
5
(6-6) Then those men said, “We shall not find any ground for accusation against this Daniel unless it is in connection with the worship of his God!”
6
(6-7) Then the high officials and the satraps hurried to the king and said to him, “O King Darius, live forever!
7
(6-8) All the high officials of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the ministers and the governors, have agreed that a royal decree should be issued and a prohibition established, that whoever within thirty days makes a petition to any god or man except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the den of lions.
8
(6-9) Therefore, O king, issue the prohibition and sign the document, so that it may not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked.”
9
(6-10) Therefore King Darius signed the document with the prohibition.
10
(6-11) When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went to his house. In his upper chamber there were windows open toward Jerusalem; three times a day he knelt down, prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.
11
(6-12) Then those men hurried in and found Daniel praying and pleading before his God.
12
(6-13) Then they came before the king and asked him about the royal prohibition: “Did you not sign a prohibition, that anyone who within thirty days makes a petition to any god or man except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the den of lions?” The king answered, “The matter is certain, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked.”
13
(6-14) Then they said to the king, “Daniel, one of the exiles from Judah, pays no regard to you, O king, nor to the decree that you have signed, but three times a day he makes his prayer.”
14
(6-15) When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed, and he set his mind on delivering Daniel; and even until the going down of the sun he kept striving to rescue him.
15
(6-16) Then those men hurried to the king and said to him, “Know, O king, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or statute that the king establishes can be changed!”
16
(6-17) After this the king gave the command, and Daniel was taken and thrown into the lions’ den. The king spoke to Daniel: “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!”
17
(6-18) Then a stone was brought and laid over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel.
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(6-19) Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no entertainment was brought before him, and he could not sleep.
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(6-20) Early in the morning, at daybreak, the king arose and went in haste to the lions’ den;
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(6-21) and when he came near the den, he cried out to Daniel in a sorrowful voice. The king said to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”
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(6-22) Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever!
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(6-23) My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not harmed me, because I was found innocent before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no wrong.”
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(6-24) Then the king was very glad, and he gave the command that Daniel be lifted out of the den. So Daniel was lifted out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
24
(6-25) The king gave the command, and those men who had accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the lions’ den, they, their children, and their wives. Before they had reached the bottom of the den, the lions seized them and crushed their bones.
25
(6-26) Then King Darius sent a letter to the people of every nation, tribe, and language who dwell in all the earth: “May your peace abound!
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(6-27) Herewith I issue a decree, that in all the realm under my dominion men are to fear and tremble before the God of Daniel; for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end.
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(6-28) He delivers and rescues, and he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”
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(6-29) So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
🦁🙏👑 Summary of Daniel 6 – The Lions’ Den & Unshakable Faith
Daniel 6 is an extraordinary account of faithfulness to God in the face of mortal danger. Though prayer was forbidden, Daniel remained faithful — and because of that, he was thrown into the lions’ den. But God saved him miraculously. This is a lesson about unshakable faith, spiritual courage, and a God who rules over every circumstance.
📌 1. Daniel Raised High (verses 1–3)
“Daniel was above the high officials and the satraps…”
- Darius the Mede organized his kingdom, and Daniel became one of the three chief officials
- Daniel excelled in every way, and the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom
🎯 Spiritual excellence and integrity open the way for promotion — even in a secular setting.
📌 2. The Plot of the Opponents (verses 4–9)
“They could find no ground for complaint against him… except in the matter of the law of his God.”
- Daniel’s enemies were jealous and wanted to bring him down
- They devised a cunning plan:
To persuade the king to make a ban on praying to anyone except the king for 30 days
Anyone who broke it would be thrown into the lions’ den
🎯 The world may make laws to pressure believers — but God still works above human law.
📌 3. Daniel Remained Faithful (verses 10–15)
“Three times a day he knelt down, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, as he had always done.”
- Though he knew there was a prohibition, Daniel still prayed facing Jerusalem
- He did not hide his faith
- His enemies quickly caught him in the act and brought the matter before the king
- Darius was grieved because he favored Daniel, but the law of the Medes and Persians could not be changed
🎯 True faith does not change under pressure — Daniel remained faithful in his spiritual habits.
📌 4. Daniel Thrown into the Lions’ Den (verses 16–18)
“Your God, whom you serve continually, may He deliver you!”
- The king prayed and hoped Daniel would be saved
- He did not eat and did not sleep, anxiously waiting for morning
- Daniel was lowered into the lions’ den with the royal seal
🎯 Sometimes God does not stop the lions’ den — but is present within it.
📌 5. Miracle & the King’s Testimony (verses 19–23)
“My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions.”
- Early in the morning the king came and called out:
“Daniel, servant of the living God… has your God been able to deliver you?”
- Daniel answered peacefully:
“The lions did not touch me, because I was innocent…”
🎯 The Lord honors true faith and integrity.
📌 6. Reversal & Promotion (verses 24–28)
- Daniel’s enemies and their families were thrown into the lions’ den — and they were seized at once
- King Darius made a declaration:
“Daniel’s God lives, forever and ever… He delivers, rescues, and performs signs and wonders…”
- Daniel prospered more and more in the reign of Darius and Cyrus
🎯 Steadfast faith brings influence and witness at the national level.
📖 Main Teaching
- Personal integrity is more important than reputation or safety
- Faithful in small spiritual matters (prayer, worship) will test and prove faith
- The Lord is able to keep and defend His people, even under threat of death
- The world may oppose, but the Lord still reigns
- The enemies of the Lord will not endure against His righteous servant
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
“Pray without ceasing.”
→ Daniel is an example of discipline in prayer, even under threat.
“It is better to suffer for doing good…”
→ Daniel was thrown into the den not because of wrongdoing, but because of righteousness.
“…quenched fire, stopped the mouths of lions…”
→ Daniel is named among the heroes of faith.
“If God is for us, who can be against us?”
→ Even lions dare not touch God’s child.
🎯 Daniel 6 shows that steadfast faith and faithfulness in prayer open the way for miracles and a great witness to the world.
🕊️ “He continued kneeling, praying, and praising his God, as he had always done.” – Daniel 6:10
🕊️ “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths.” – Daniel 6:22
🕊️ “No wound was found on him, because he trusted in his God.” – Daniel 6:23
🕊️ “For He is the living God, forever and ever…” – Daniel 6:26
