Then these men were in an uproar and found Daniel seeking and imploring favor before his God (Daniel 6:11).
After the overseers and governors under Darius the Mede persuaded the king to sign a decree making it law that anyone caught making a request to another god or man other than the king would be thrown into the lions’ den, they went to Daniel’s house in an uproar. The purpose of this decree was to accuse Daniel and have him put to death because he was loyal to his duties to the king as an overseer (Daniel 6:3–4). They knew the only way to accuse Daniel was because of his dedication to serving his God (Daniel 6:5).
After the king signed the petition, Daniel knelt three times that day as a reproach to the decree (Daniel 6:10). The overseers and governors found Daniel seeking and imploring favor from his God, so they went to Darius to accuse him (Daniel 6:12-13). At their accusation, the king became very displeased, for he understood their original intent behind his decree. He sought to deliver Daniel until the sun went down; however, because the law of the Medes and Persians dictated that once a decree was signed into law, it could not be undone, he could not spare Daniel (Daniel 6:14).
The overseers and governors knew that the decree Darius signed into law could not be undone. Therefore, at the end of the day, they came to the king, pressuring him to honor the law (Daniel 6:15). Having no choice, Darius ordered Daniel to be cast into the lion’s den (Daniel 6:16). Darius declares to Daniel, as he is placed in the den, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” A stone was brought and laid over the mouth of the den, upon which the seal of the signet of the king was placed so that what was done to Daniel might not be changed (Daniel 6:17).
The king went to his palace that night, but refused to eat, be comforted, or sleep, for he had no desire to do such a thing to Daniel (Daniel 6:18). In the morning, the king rose early and went to the lion’s den, crying out with a lamenting voice to Daniel (Daniel 6:19–20). Daniel responded to the king, saying that his God had closed the mouth of the lions (Daniel 6:22). With great joy, the king ordered Daniel removed from the den (Daniel 6:23).
In response to God saving Daniel, clearly declaring his innocence to the king, Darius the Mede had the men who falsely accused Daniel, along with all of their family members, cast into the lion’s den. The lions did not even let them hit the floor before they were torn into pieces (Daniel 6:24).
Darius then wrote to all the people, proclaiming that the God of Daniel is to be feared in all his kingdom. For He is a living God and His kingdom is the one that cannot be destroyed (Daniel 6:25–27). Thus, Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian (Daniel 6:28).
