King Darius was distressed but was required by law to throw Daniel in the lion’s den.
Darius’ rulers were jealous of Daniel’s success as a commissioner and plotted to accuse Daniel. They came before the king and advised him that he should sign a decree that made him the sole object of worship for 30 days. If anyone disobeyed, they would be cast into the lion’s den. Daniel continued with his custom of praying three times a day; the rulers accused Daniel before King Darius on the basis of the law he had just signed.
Then, as soon as the king heard this statement, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel; and even until sunset he kept exerting himself to rescue him. Darius was quick to sign the decree proposed by his advisors but is slow to follow through with punishing Daniel. As we learned earlier in this chapter, Darius had planned on promoting Daniel to ruling the entire kingdom because of his success as commissioner. Perhaps this is why the king was so distressed—his best ruler was going to be killed. Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, “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.” Seeing the king’s reluctance to enforce the punishment, his rulers remind him that he is bound by the law and must follow through.
Despite his reluctance, Darius has no option so he gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions’ den. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you.” It is possible that Darius had heard of the delivery of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego from the fiery furnace, or perhaps he credited Daniel’s success as a commissioner to the God he served. Either way, it seems even the king was aware of Daniel’s religion. Whatever the reason, Darius is confident that Daniel’s God would deliver him.
A stone was brought and laid over the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing would be changed in regard to Daniel. The seal was likely made of clay and stamped with the king’s symbol and his nobles to warn off anyone who would try to open the den. Then the king went off to his palace and spent the night fasting, and no entertainment was brought before him; and his sleep fled from him. Darius clearly regrets his decision to enact the decree and certainly hopes that no harm will befall Daniel.
Biblical Text
14 Then, as soon as the king heard this statement, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel; and even until sunset he kept exerting himself to rescue him. 15 Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, “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.”
16 Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions’ den. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you.” 17 A stone was brought and laid over the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing would be changed in regard to Daniel. 18 Then the king went off to his palace and spent the night fasting, and no entertainment was brought before him; and his sleep fled from him.
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