The Den of Lions

The Den of Lions!

Daniel 6:1-3 (KJV)

It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; 2 and over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. 3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

When Belshazzar was overtaken and Babylon fell. Darics the Mede came into power under Cyrus the Persian. He immediately had to begin a government he placed 120 satraps (protectors) called the princes. Over them were 3 presidents.

Darius undoubtedly heard of Daniel prophesying the end of Belshazzar the night they were overthrown so now instead of merely a wise man Daniel was now to be a leader in the nation!

Of 3 presidents Daniel was best, he was preferred above all others because of his excellent spirit. While this could have been the fact that Daniel was on the same age group the king was Daniel was in his 80’s the king was in his 60’s still the excellent spirit could have been the love of God showing out in his speeking. Most likely it was the Holy Spirit of God in him!

Daniel 6:4-5 (KJV)

4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. 5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.

 When the other 2 presidents heard that Daniel was about to be Prime Minister and they would be out of a job they decided to take action

Verse 5 is wonderful! It is something when others try to find reason to find fault and then decided that the only way they can blame or accusation is your faith in God!

Daniel 6:6-8 (KJV)

6 Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever. 7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellers, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

Darics was vain and they decided to attack the king with his vanity. It is true that Darius was over a new kingdom and that was a conquered kingdom and he might want to see for sure that they were all obeying him and only him. But some things that will be mentioned should have opened his eyes.

Verse 8 “sign the writing, that it be not changed according to the law of the Medes and Persians”

What did they care if it was or wasn’t altered? They were hunting for a way to trap the king!

“Which altereth not”

That says when you sighn this and you find out what we are really doing you can’t change it!

Daniel 6:9 (KJV)

9 Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.

He fell for it!