Daniel

Daniel
1. Daniel And Other Youth Taken To Babylon To Serve The King
2. Daniel Made Up His Mind To Not Eat The Kings Choice Food
3. Daniel And His Friends Did Well On The Simple Diet
4. God Gives Nebuchadnezzar A Dream
5. Daniel Asks For Some Time
6. Arioch Brings Daniel To Nebuchadnezzar
7. The Dream Is Revealed
8. The Dream's Meaning Revealed
9. Nebuchadnezzar Recognizes Daniel's God
10. Nebuchadnezzar Makes A Golden Image And People To Bow Down To It
11. Shadrach, Meshach And Abednego Do Not Bow Down To The Image
12. Nebuchadnezzar Is Very Angry
13. Nebuchadnezzar Has Them Thrown Into A Very Hot Furnace
14. Four Men Are Seen Walking In The Furnace
15. Nebuchadnezzar Blesses The God Of Shadrach, Meshach And Abednego
16. Nebuchadnezzar Tells Daniel Of Another Dream
17. Daniel Gives Its Meaning
18. The Dream Is Fulfilled
19. Nebuchadnezzar Is Restored To His Throne
20. Belshazzar Makes A Great Feast
21. A Bloodless Hand Writes On The Wall Of The King's Palace
22. The Queen Says To Find Daniel To Interpret The Words
23. Daniel Comes In And Explains The Words
24. Darius The Mede Organizes The Kingdom
25. The Other Rulers Under Darius Look For A Way To Get Rid Of Daniel
26. Daniel Continues To Pray By His Open Window
27. Daniel Is Cast Into The Lion's Den
28. King Darius Came To The Lion's Den To See If Daniel Survived
29. Darius Made A Decree That Daniel's God Will Endure Forever

1. Daniel And Other Youth Taken To Babylon To Serve The King - Back to Page Index
Daniel 1:1-7
In the third year of Jehoiakim's reign over Judah, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. The LORD gave Jehoiakim, king of Judah, into Nebuchadnezzar's hand. He took some of the vessels of the house of God back to the land of Shinar where he placed them in the house of his god.

Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his officials, to bring in some of the young men of Israel, including some from the royal family and of the noble families, youths with no defect, who were good looking and intelligent in every branch of wisdom, having understanding and discerning knowledge, and who would be able to serve in the king's court. He ordered that they be taught the literature and language of the Chaldeans. They were to be assigned their daily food and wine the same as the king had. They would be trained for three years. After that they would enter the king's service.

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were among those brought from Judah. The commander of the officials gave them Babylonian names. Daniel he named Belteshazzar. Hananiah he named Shadrach. He named Mishael Meshach and Azariah he named Abednego.

2. Daniel Made Up His Mind To Not Eat The Kings Choice Food - Back to Page Index
Daniel 1:8-16
Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king's food or wine, so he asked the commander for permission to not eat this food or drink the wine. God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials, and he said to Daniel, "I have been instructed to feed you from the king's own menu. It you should not look as healthy as the other youths, I might suffer the king's anger." But Daniel made a reasonable suggestion. He said, "Please test your servants for ten days letting us eat vegetables and drink only water. Then decide for yourself how we compare with the other youths before you make your decision."

So the commander listened to their request and agreed to test them for ten days. At the end of the tens days they looks more healthy than the other youths who had eaten from the king's choice food. So their overseer continued to give them only vegetables and water.

3. Daniel And His Friends Did Well On The Simple Diet - Back to Page Index
Daniel 1:17-21
God gave these four young men knowledge and intelligence in every branch of literature and wisdom. Daniel even understood visions and dreams. And at the end of the training period the commander presented all of the youth to Nebuchadnezzar for his examination. He talked with each of them and found Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah to be better than all the rest. So they entered the king's personal service. With every question the king presented concerning wisdom and understanding, he found these four young men to be ten times better that all his magicians and astrologers in all his realm. Daniel continued working for the king until the first year of Cyrus the king of Persia.

4. God Gives Nebuchadnezzar A Dream - Back to Page Index
Daniel 2:1-13
Now in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, he had dreams. He was troubled by them so that he could not get back to sleep. He called for his magicians, astrologers, sorcerers and Chaldeans, and asked them to help him recall what he had dreamed. They came and stood before him. The king said, "I had a dream and I am anxious to know what the dream meant." The Chaldeans spoke to the king in Aramaic, saying, "O king, live forever! Tell us the dream and we will tell you its meaning." The king replied to them in no uncertain terms, saying, "You must tell me what I dreamed and then tell me its meaning. If you cannot do this I will completely destroy you, your homes and everyone in them. But if you tell me what I dreamed, I will richly reward you with gifts and great honor. So tell me now the dream and what it means." Again they said, "Please tell us the dream and your servants will explain its meaning." The king then said, "I can tell you are stalling for time because you know that I mean every word I have said. If you do not make the dream known to me there can be only one outcome for you. I know you have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words until your situation improves. However, if you can tell me what I dreamed I will have confidence in your interpretation." The Chaldeans answered the king, saying, "No man can tell you what you dreamed. No king or ruler has ever asked such a thing of his magicians, conjurer or Chaldean. Only the gods whose dwelling is not with men can do such a thing."

At these words the king became furious and gave orders to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.

So the decree went out to kill all the wise men and they came looking for Daniel and his three friends as well.

5. Daniel Asks For Some Time - Back to Page Index
Daniel 2:14-24
Daniel replied with discretion to Arioch, the captain of the king's body guard who had come to take him away. He said to Arioch, "Why has the king made this sudden decision?" And Arioch told Daniel what had taken place. So Daniel went to the king and asked him for time so that he might be able to tell the king what he had dreamed. Then Daniel returned to his house and told his three friend everything, so that they might approach the God of heaven concerning the king's dream, and they would not be destroyed along with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

The mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night, and Daniel blessed the God of heaven. He said, "Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him. It is He who changes the times and the epochs. He takes down kings and sets them up. He gives wisdom to wise men and knowledge to men of understanding. He reveals that which is profound and hidden. Nothing is too dark for Him, for the light dwells with Him. To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for You have given me wisdom and power. Even now You have made known to me what we requested of You, making known to us the king's dream."

So Daniel went to Arioch, who had been appointed to carry out the king's decree to destroy the wise men of Babylon. Daniel said to him, "Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon! Take me to the king and I will tell him his dream and its interpretation."

6. Arioch Brings Daniel To Nebuchadnezzar - Back to Page Index
Daniel 2:25-30
So Arioch hurriedly brought Daniel into the king's presence and said, "I have found a man from among the exiles from Judah who can tell you what you dreamed and what the dream means." The king said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, "Are you able to tell me what I dreamed and give its interpretation?" Daniel answered him, saying, "No wise man, astrologer, magician or soothsayer can tell you what you dreamed. But, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will take place in the latter days. Here is what you dreamed while you slept. You had been thinking about the future and He who reveals mysteries has shown you what will happen. This was not revealed to me because of any wisdom within me, but in order that you might have answers to your questions concerning the future."

7. The Dream Is Revealed - Back to Page Index
Daniel 2:31-35
"You, O king, saw a great and splendid statue standing before you. It was awesome in appearance. The head of that statue was made of fine gold. Its chest and arms were of silver and its belly and thighs of bronze. It had legs of iron and its feet were made of iron mixed with clay. You watched until you saw a stone formed without hands, which struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and crushed them. As you watched, the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were crushed together and became as chaff on the summer threshing floors. The wind carried everything away and didn't leave even a trace. And the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain filling the whole earth."

8. The Dream's Meaning Revealed - Back to Page Index
Daniel 2:36-45
"This was your dream and here is its interpretation. You, O king, are the King of kings. The God of heaven has given you dominion, power, might and glory. Everything that dwells on the earth, whether man, beast or bird, He has caused you to rule over. You are the head of gold. After you another kingdom will arise. It will be inferior to you. Following that kingdom a third kingdom of bronze will rule over all the earth. Then there will be a fourth kingdom as strong as iron. Just as iron can crush anything, so it will crush and break its predecessors. You saw the feet and toes made of potter's clay mixed with iron. The next kingdom will be a divided kingdom. Some of it will be as strong as iron, just as you saw the iron mixed with clay. And some of this divided kingdom will be brittle. You saw the iron mixed with clay. So this kingdom will combine with one another in marriage, but they will not remain united any more than iron mixes with clay."

"In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed. His kingdom will not be over thrown by another people. It will put an end to all the former kingdoms, and it will endure forever. For as you saw the stone cut out of the mountain without hands, and watched it crush the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold, so the great God has made known to the king what will take place in the future. The dream is true and its interpretation can be trusted."

9. Nebuchadnezzar Recognizes Daniel's God - Back to Page Index
Daniel 2:46-49
Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered that an offering and incense be presented to him. He said, "Surely, Your God is the God of gods and Lord of kings, and is able to reveal mysteries, since you have been able to reveal this mystery." The king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts. He made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon. And Daniel asked the king to appoint Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego over the administration of the province of Babylon, but Daniel sat in the king's court.

10. Nebuchadnezzar Makes A Golden Image And People To Bow Down To It - Back to Page Index
Daniel 3:1-7
King Nebuchadnezzar set up an image of gold on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. It was sixty cubits high (90 feet) and six cubits wide (9 feet). He then sent word to assembled the princes, governors, captains, judges and treasurers, the counselors, sheriffs and all the rulers of the provinces. They were to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. So they all came for the dedication of this image and stood before it. Then the herald loudly proclaimed, "To you the command is given, O peoples, nations and men of every language, the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe and all kinds of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship shall be immediately thrown into the midst of the fiery furnace. So when the sound of these instruments was heard, all the people fell down and worshiped the golden image."

11. Shadrach, Meshach And Abednego Do Not Bow Down To The Image - Back to Page Index
Daniel 3:8-12
But some of the Chaldeans brought charges against the Jews. They said to Nebuchadnezzar, "O king, live forever! You, O king, have made a decree that every man who hears the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, and bagpipe and all kinds of music, is to fall down and worship the golden image. And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a fiery furnace. Certain Jews whom you have appointed over the administration of the province of Babylon have disregarded your order. They are Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego."

12. Nebuchadnezzar Is Very Angry - Back to Page Index
Daniel 3:13-18
Nebuchadnezzar was in rage as he gave orders to bring them before him. He asked them, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, is it true that you have not served my gods or worshipped the golden image I have set up? If you are now ready to worship the image when you hear the sound of the instruments, very well. But if you will not worship it, you will be immediately thrown into the blazing fiery furnace. What god can save you from my hand?"

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. If our God wants to save us from the blazing fire, He is well able to deliver us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."

13. Nebuchadnezzar Has Them Thrown Into A Very Hot Furnace - Back to Page Index
Daniel 3:19-23
Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with wrath, and looking hard at Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, he gave orders to heat the furnace seven times hotter. Then he commanded some of his mightiest men to bind Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and cast them into the furnace of blazing fire. They were tied up fully clothed and cast into the blazing fire of the furnace. And because the furnace was so extremely hot, the men who threw them into the fire died from the heat.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego fell into the midst of the furnace still tied up.

14. Four Men Are Seen Walking In The Furnace - Back to Page Index
Daniel 3:24-27
Then Nebuchadnezzar was amazed and stood up quickly. He said to his high officials, "Were not three men cast bound into the midst of the fire?" They replied to the king, "Yes, O king." He then said, "Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire. They are coming to no harm. And the appearance of the fourth is like the Son of God!"

Nebuchadnezzar came as near as possible to the door of the blazing furnace and called out to Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, saying, "Come out here, you servants of the Most High God!" So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out from the midst of the fire. All of Nebuchadnezzar's officials gathered around to look at these men who had walked in the fire, and saw that there wasn't even the smell of fire on their hair or clothing.

15. Nebuchadnezzar Blesses The God Of Shadrach, Meshach And Abednego - Back to Page Index
Daniel 3:28-30
Nebuchadnezzar said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who sent His angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, violating the king's command, and yielding up their bodies in order to not serve or worship any god except their own God. For this reason I make a decree that any people, nation or tongue that speaks anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb and their houses reduced to a rubbish heap. For there is no other god who is able to deliver in this way." Then the king caused Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to be exalted in the province of Babylon.

16. Nebuchadnezzar Tells Daniel Of Another Dream - Back to Page Index
Daniel 4:1-18
King Nebuchadnezzar, to all peoples, nations and men of every language, who live in all the world, "May you prosper greatly! I wish to declare the signs and wonders which the Most High God has shown to me. For His signs are great and His wonders are mighty! His kingdom is everlasting and His dominion endures throughout all generations."

"I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous. As I lay on my bed I had a dream that alarmed me. I gave orders to bring in all my wise men that they might explain its meaning. So the magicians, the conjurers, the Chaldeans and the diviners listened as I related my dream to them. But they could not tell me its meaning. Finally Daniel, whose name is Belteshazzar, whom I named after my god, came in. The spirit of the holy gods dwells in him. Here is the dream as I related it to him."

'O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, since I know that a spirit of the holy gods is in you and no mystery baffles you, tell me the interpretation of my dream. "As I lay on my bed I saw a tree of great height in the midst of the earth. It was large and strong, and it reached to the sky and was visible to the whole earth. It was covered with leaves and fruit, enough for everyone who wanted to eat from it. The beasts of the field enjoyed its shade and the birds lived in its branches. All creatures fed from it. As I watched I saw a Holy One come down from heaven. He called out with a loud voice, saying, 'Cut the tree down. Strip off its branches and scatter its fruit. Let the beasts flee from under it and the birds away from it branches.' Leave the stump and its roots in the ground. Put a band of iron and bronze around it. Let it be drenched with the dew of heaven and share grass with the beasts of the field. Let his mind be changed from a man's mind to that of a beast. And let seven times pass over him. This sentence is by the decree of the angelic watchers and the decision is a command of the Holy Ones, in order that the living may know that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whomever He wishes and sets over it the lowliest of men. This is the dream which I, king Nebuchadnezzar, have dreamed. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me its interpretation, since none of the wise men of my kingdom have been able to explain its meaning. But I know that you are able, for a spirit of the holy gods is in you."

17. Daniel Gives Its Meaning - Back to Page Index
Daniel 4:19-27
After hearing the dream, Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was appalled for a while and his thoughts alarmed him. The king said, "Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation alarm you." Then Belteshazzar replied, "My Lord, if only the dream applied to your adversaries! The tree you saw, which became large and strong, and reached to the sky, so that it was visible to all the earth, whose leaves were beautiful and was loaded with abundant fruit for everyone, providing refuge for beasts and birds, is you, O king. You have become great and strong. Your greatness has reached up to heaven and your dominion is to the end of the earth. You saw an angelic watcher descend from heaven and give the order to chop down the tree and to leave only the stump with it roots and a band of iron and bronze around it with the grass of the field growing around it. He also said, that the stump should be drenched with the dew of heaven, and share grass with the beasts of the field until seven periods of time had pass over it. This is its interpretation, O king. It is a decree from the Most High concerning you my lord. You will be driven from among mankind and dwell with the beasts of the field. You will eat grass like the cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass over you, until you recognize that it is the Most High that rules the kingdoms and gives them to whomever He chooses. It was commanded that the stump be left with the roots because your kingdom will be given back to you once you recognize that it is Heaven that actually rules. Therefore, O king, may my advice be pleasing to you. Break away now from your sins by doing righteousness and showing mercy to the poor, that your prosperity may be prolonged."

18. The Dream Is Fulfilled - Back to Page Index
Daniel 4:28-33
All of this happened to Nebuchadnezzar the king. Twelve months later he was walking on the roof of his royal palace in Babylon. As he looked about the palace at the surrounding city, he said to himself, "Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?" While the words were in the king's mouth, a voice came from heaven, saying, "King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared, your sovereignty has been removed. You will be driven away from mankind to dwell with the beasts of the field. You will eat grass like the cattle and seven times will pass over you until you come to recognize that the Most High is ruler over all mankind and bestows rulership on whomever He chooses." This was fulfilled immediately and Nebuchadnezzar was driven out of the palace and away from mankind. He began eating grass like the cattle and was drenched by the dew of heaven. His hair grew long like eagle feathers and his nails like bird claws.

19. Nebuchadnezzar Is Restored To His Throne - Back to Page Index
Daniel 4:34-37
"At the end of that period, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes to heaven and my reason returned to me. I blessed the Most High, praising and honoring the One Who lives forever. His dominion is everlasting and His kingdom endures for all generations. All the inhabitants of the earth count for nothing when compared to Him. He does whatever He wishes in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth. No one can withstand His hand or question what He does."

"At that time my sanity was restored and my honor and splendor were returned to me along with my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and glorify the King of heaven. Everything He does is right. All his ways are just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride."

20. Belshazzar Makes A Great Feast - Back to Page Index
Daniel 5:1-4
Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine with them. He then gave orders to bring the gold and silver vessels that his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, intending to drink wine from them with his lords, his wives and his concubines. The vessels were brought in and the king and his guests then drank wine from them. As they did this they praised the gods of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood and stone.

21. A Bloodless Hand Writes On The Wall Of The King's Palace - Back to Page Index
Daniel 5:5-9
Suddenly the fingers of a man's hand appeared and began writing opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace. The king saw the back of the hand as it wrote. His face turned pale with fright, his knees knocked together and his legs began to give way. Calling for the conjurers, the Chaldeans and the diviners, he said to them, "Any man who can read this inscription and explain its interpretation to me shall be clothed with purple and have a necklace of gold around his neck. And he shall become the third ruler in the kingdom." But the king's wise men could not read the inscription or interpret it's meaning. Then King Belshazzar grew pale while his lords were perplexed.

22. The Queen Says To Find Daniel To Interpret The Words - Back to Page Index
Daniel 5:10-12
The queen came into the banquet hall, having heard of the perplexity of the king and his lords. She spoke, saying, "O king, live forever! Do not be so alarmed. There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods. In the days of your father, wisdom like that of the gods was found in him. And King Nebuchadnezzar your father appointed him as chief of all the wise men. Because of the extraordinary spirit in him he had knowledge and insight. He could interpret dreams, explain enigmas and solve difficult problems. His name is Daniel but the king named him Belteshazzar. Summon him and he will interpret the writing on the wall."

23. Daniel Comes In And Explains The Words - Back to Page Index
Daniel 5:13-31
Daniel was brought in before the king who said to him, "Are you that Daniel who is one of the exiles from Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah? I have heard that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that illumination, insight and extraordinary wisdom have been found in you. The wise men and the conjurers were brought in before me to read this inscription and explain its meaning to me, but they were not able to do this. But I have heard that you are able to give interpretations and solve difficult problems. Now if you are able to read the inscription and make its interpretation known to me, you will be clothed with purple and wear a necklace of gold around your neck, and you will become the third ruler in the kingdom."

Then Daniel answered the king, saying, "Keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to another. However, I will read the inscription to you and make its interpretation known."

"O king, the Most High God granted glory and majesty to Nebuchadnezzar your father. Because of the grandeur which He bestowed on him, all the peoples, nations and men of every language feared and trembled before him. Whomever he wished he killed and whomever he wished he kept alive. He was allowed to decide who to elevate and who to humble. But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit became so proud that he behaved arrogantly, his royal throne and his glory were taken from him. He was driven from among mankind and lived with the beasts. He ate grass like the cattle and was drenched with the dew of heaven until he recognized that the Most High God rules over all mankind and chooses those who will rule. Though you knew all of this you did not humble yourself. Instead you have exalted yourself against the LORD of heaven, having brought in the vessels from His house. You and your lords, your wives and concubines, have drunk wine from them, while praising the gods of silver and gold, bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear. And you have not glorified the God of heaven who holds your breath in His hand. The hand you saw was sent from Him and this is the inscription written on the wall. MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. The interpretation is, MENE: 'God has numbered your kingdom and has brought an end to it..' TEKEL: 'You have been weighed in the balances and found wanting.' PERES: 'Your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and the Persians.'"

Then Belshazzar ordered that Daniel be clothed with a purple robe and a gold necklace be placed around his neck. A proclamation was made giving him authority as the third ruler of the kingdom.

And that same night Belshazzar the king of Babylon was slain. So Darius the Mede received the kingdom at about the age of sixty two.

24. Darius The Mede Organizes The Kingdom - Back to Page Index
Daniel 6:1-3
Darius decided to place one hundred and twenty princes over the kingdom. He place three presidents over these and Daniel he made first. All the princes were to give an account to these three presidents so that the king might not suffer any loss. Daniel began to distinguish himself among all of these because he possessed an extraordinary spirit. Because of this, the king appointed him over the entire kingdom.

25. The Other Rulers Under Darius Look For A Way To Get Rid Of Daniel - Back to Page Index
Daniel 6:4-9
Though the princes and presidents tried very hard, they could find no fault with Daniel in regard to government affairs, because he did his work so faithfully. No corruption could be found in him. Since they could find nothing wrong in his work they decide to work against him regarding the law of his God. These presidents and princes came before the king, and said to him, "King Darius, live for ever. All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counselors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of You, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be changed." So King Darius signed the document.

26. Daniel Continues To Pray By His Open Window - Back to Page Index
Daniel 6:10-15
When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he entered his house, went up to his roof chamber and opened his windows toward Jerusalem. Here he continued kneeling in prayer three times a day, giving thanks before his God, as he had always done. The men who had conspired against him watched him praying to his God. They then approached the king and reminded him of his injunction that no one was to make any petition save to him for thirty days, lest they be cast into the den of lions."Isn't it true," they said, "This law of the Medes and Persians cannot be revoked?" They then said, "Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the injunction which you signed. He still prays three times a day to his god." When the king heard what they said, he was deeply distressed and tried to think of a way to deliver Daniel. Until sunset he kept looking for a way rescue him. Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to him, "Recognize, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or statute which the king establishes may be changed."

27. Daniel Is Cast Into The Lion's Den - Back to Page Index
Daniel 6:16-18
So the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought and cast into the lion's den. The king said to Daniel, "Your God whom you serve constantly will deliver you." A stone was laid over the mouth of the lion's den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that Daniel's situation might not be changed.

The king spent the night fasting. He had no entertainment or sleep that night.

28. King Darius Came To The Lion's Den To See If Daniel Survived - Back to Page Index
Daniel 6:19-24
At the break of day he went quickly to the lion's den. Arriving he called out with a troubled voice, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions?" Daniel replied to the king, "O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths and they have not harmed me, because I was found innocent before Him, and also toward you, O king, for I have committed no crime." The king was overjoyed and gave orders for Daniel to be lifted out of the den. When Daniel was examined, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. The king then gave orders to bring the men who had accused Daniel. He had them and their families cast into the den of lions, and before they reached the bottom the lions leap on them and crushed all their bones.

29. Darius Made A Decree That Daniel's God Will Endure Forever - Back to Page Index
Daniel 6:25-28
Then Darius the king wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language who were living in all the land, "May your peace abound! I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men are to fear and tremble before the God of Daniel, for He is the living God and endures forever. His kingdom will not be destroyed, and His dominion will last forever. He delivers, rescues and performs signs and wonders in heaven and on earth. He has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions."

So Daniel enjoyed success in the reign of Darius the Mede and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

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