Introduction
King Darius the Mede, who took over Babylon, is tested by Daniel’s enemies.
Questions
1. What do the presidents and local governors say when they seek to find occasion against Daniel?
v 4 and 5 Then the presidents and the local governors sought to find occasion against Daniel as touching the kingdom; but they could find no occasion or fault, because he was faithful. There wasn’t any error or fault found in him. Then these men said, “We won’t find any occasion against this Daniel, unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”
2. What does Daniel do when he knows the writing is signed?
v 10 When Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house (now his windows were open in his room towards Jerusalem) and he knelt on his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did before.
3. What does the king say to Daniel as he is about to be cast into the den of lions?
v 16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Your God whom you serve continually, he will deliver you.”
Summary Points
- v 1 to 3 Darius the Mede is impressed by Daniel and plans to make him chief president of the kingdom
- v 4 to 9 The presidents and governors conspire to trick the king into making a decree forbidding people to request anything from anyone other than the king himself
- v 10 to 17 Daniel prays to God as usual, and the conspirators report him to the king. Darius is very displeased but is unable to retract the decree. He tells Daniel that God will deliver him
- v 18 to 23 In the morning Darius is relieved to find that Daniel is still alive and unharmed by the lions
- v 24 to 28 Those who conspired against Daniel are thrown into the lions’ den and are killed. The king decrees that Daniel's God is to be respected because he is a living God who can deliver and rescue