Daniel 6:10-17
Daniel 6:10-17
New King James Version (NKJV)
Daniel in the Lions’ Den
10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.
11 Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. 12 And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king’s decree: “Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?”
The king answered and said, “The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.”
13 So they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”
14 And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 15 Then these men approached the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.”
16 So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” 17 Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.
My Thoughts:
The first thing that caught my eye was the fact that Daniel knew that this was going to happen. (v.10) says “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed”. Why did he not try to stop it? I am sure if he had wanted to he could have gone to the king and said “do not sign this decree.” But he did not. Something else worth noting was that the first thing he did was go home and not only did he go home but he knelt down and prayed. This same verse says he went to the upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees. Must men would have tried to continue but they would have insured no one saw but Daniel opened the window and made it easy for the others to catch him.
We see that the king was not happy about what had happened, I am sure at some point it hit him that he had been played but he had no choice but to carry out the judgment on Daniel.
Ellen White Statements:
“The psalmist, when viewing the many snares and temptations to vice, inquires, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?” This question is appropriate for everyone connected with our missions and every instrumentality of God. At this stage of our work, the answer comes, “By taking heed thereto according to Thy word.” It is necessary to maintain a living connection with heaven, seeking as often as did Daniel—three times a day—for divine grace to resist appetite and passion. Wrestling with appetite and passion unaided by divine power will be unsuccessful; but make Christ your stronghold, and the language of your soul will be, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” Said the apostle Paul, “I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
Let no one think he can overcome without the help of God. You must have the energy, the strength, the power, of an inner life developed within you. You will then bear fruit unto godliness, and will have an intense loathing of vice. You need to constantly strive to work away from earthliness, from cheap conversation, from everything sensual, and aim for nobility of soul and a pure and unspotted character. Your name may be kept so pure that it cannot justly be connected with anything dishonest or unrighteous, but will be respected by all the good and pure, and it may be written in the Lamb’s book of life, to be immortalized among the holy angels.” Manuscript 4a, 1885. {MM 144.1}
Last thoughts:
The king wanted to save Daniel but could not find a loop hole to save Daniel. But what caught my eye was the fact that just before he was cast in to the den, the king said “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.”
The king knew that the God of Daniel was the true God and could save him. So was this a test of the king’s faith as well?
About bobh6
40 Days of study 
In Prophets and Kings, Ellen White states that Daniel stands before the world today a worthy example of Christian fearlessness and fidelity. He boldy yet quietly and humbly declared that no earthly power has a right to interpose between the soul and God. Then we have to look at when Daniel went to his room to pray. He didn’t just pray but he “gave thanks”. His life was once again in grave danger and his giving thanks to his God. We should do the same every day. When we pray we shouldgive thanks first. We should remember how God has provided for us in the past, claim promises and truly give thanks. Then we should give Him our troubles. Wehave come to the Lord in praise and thanksgiving so by the time we present our troubles our faith should be stronger and then our problems will seem more managable. We should then be able to pray in faith instead of doubt. Like Daniel we should “Rejoice in the Lord always”
What stuck me to most was the faith of King Darius. Daniel never actually was put to such a test of faith like this before. Even though his three friends were, he still may have wondered how his story would turn out. I would think he had to make peace with the idea of dying if it was God’s will, just like the response of his three friends to Neb.
When we say to God “not my will, but your’s” we really need to mean it. There has been lots of maryters who took the stand maybe hoping God would do a mircale and let them live; but never the less totally surrendering to God’s will. Better to die serving, than live and loss your very life. I think the saying is “To live is Christ and to die is gain”.