DANIEL IN THE LION’S DEN

Passage: Daniel 6:16-28

Key verse: 27

NIV

16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den.(A) The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue(B) you!”

17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed(C) it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. 18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating(D) and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.(E)

19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”(F)

21 Daniel answered, “May the king live forever!(G) 22 My God sent his angel,(H) and he shut the mouths of the lions.(I) They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight.(J) Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”

23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound(K) was found on him, because he had trusted(L) in his God.

24 At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den,(M) along with their wives and children.(N) And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.(O)

25 Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language(P) in all the earth:

“May you prosper greatly!(Q)

26 “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence(R) the God of Daniel.(S)

“For he is the living God(T)
    and he endures forever;(U)
his kingdom will not be destroyed,
    his dominion will never end.(V)
27 He rescues and he saves;(W)
    he performs signs and wonders(X)
    in the heavens and on the earth.
He has rescued Daniel
    from the power of the lions.”(Y)

28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus[a](Z) the Persian.(AA)

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Footnotes
  1. Daniel 6:28 Or Darius, that is, the reign of Cyrus
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

16 Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared[a] to Daniel, “May (A)your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” 17 (B)And a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, (C)and the king sealed it (D)with his own signet and with the signet of his (E)lords, that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel. 18 Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; (F)no diversions were brought to him, and (G)sleep fled from him.

19 Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of (H)the living God, (I)has your God, whom you serve continually, (J)been able to deliver you from the lions?” 21 Then Daniel said to the king, (K)“O king, live forever! 22 My God (L)sent his angel (M)and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless (N)before him; (O)and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” 23 Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and (P)no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. 24 And the king commanded, and (Q)those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and cast into the den of lions—they, their children, and their wives. And before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces.

25 Then King Darius wrote to all (R)the peoples, nations, and languages (S)that dwell in all the earth: (T)“Peace be multiplied to you. 26 (U)I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion (V)people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel,

for (W)he is (X)the living God,
    enduring forever;
his kingdom shall never be destroyed,
    (Y)and his dominion shall be (Z)to the end.
27 He delivers and rescues;
    he works (AA)signs and wonders
    in heaven and on earth,
he who has (AB)saved Daniel
    from the power of the lions.”

28 So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and (AC)the reign of (AD)Cyrus the Persian.

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Footnotes
  1. Daniel 6:16 Aramaic answered and said; also verse 20
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

King Darius was pressured by wicked men to throw Daniel in the lion’s den. The king himself expressed his hope that God would save Daniel. After a sleepless night, King Darius rushed to the den and asked Daniel if God had saved him. Daniel testified that God’s angel shut the lions’ mouths because he was innocent. When they pulled him out, there was no wound on him because he trusted in God. Then, the king commanded the other satraps who falsely accused Daniel be thrown in the lions’ den, along with their families. They symbolized the end of all liars who persecute the people of God. The king made a new law that everyone in his kingdom must fear God. He proclaimed that God’s kingdom will never end, and he rescues and saves those who fear him as he rescued Daniel from the lions. Then, Daniel prospered in his reign and Cyrus’ reign.

Like Daniel, we suffer much when we are attacked for our faith and are falsely accused. It is the best time to pray, thank God, and trust in his help. Prayer is our spiritual weapon. When no one can help us, God can. (Ps 143:8,9) In all things, his purpose is to reveal his glory on earth that he is the living God who saves and rescues those who trust in him.

Prayer: Father, forgive my fears. Help me to pray faithfully, thank you, and rely on your help.

One Word: Pray to God who rescues and saves