Daniel 6:18-23
Daniel 6:18-23
New King James Version (NKJV)
Daniel Saved from the Lions
18 Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him. 19 Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”
21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”
23 Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.
My Thoughts:
As of yet there have been no dens uncovered in Babylon, but this is not a surprise. The water level in Mesopotamia has risen over the centuries that any such dens would have been filled.
But in the morning when the king went to the den I like what he said “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions
This is noteworthy – the king knew Daniel’s God was the living God. So how did he know this? He may have talked with Daniel a great deal about this topic but the way Daniel reflected God had to be the main way for the king to come to know God. As Christians we are to have Christ in our hearts and when we do, others will see him in us.
And this word “Lamentable” is not just “sad” but can be translated as “full of anxiety” and I believe that the king was in this state; we see that he fasted and was not able to sleep the entire night.
Ellen White Statements:
“The report was quickly carried to the king, and too late he saw that the decree had been proposed and carried into effect through the envy and jealousy of his court. Daniel had determined that he would be true to God. He would let the world know that no king, prince, or power, had a right to come between his soul and God. God did not forsake him, for though he was cast into the den of lions, the angels of heaven were with him, and he suffered no harm. The king, filled with sorrow, spent a restless night in his chamber, and at early light he came to the den, and cried, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?” Then Daniel said to the king, “My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me; forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.” {ST November 4, 1889, par. 8}
Last thoughts:
So we see that faith saved Daniel, when I think about this passage I think of (Proverbs 11:8) “The righteous is delivered from trouble, and it comes to the wicked instead.” I think this says it all.
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I can remember when I was a child, thinking and thinking about Daniel and the lions. In my imaginings it was always different but I knew that what I could imagine was no where near what really happened. Now, having learned fear, I can’t begin to imagine how it all happened. I have decided that it was probably harder for Darius because he didn’t know what was happening. Daniel knew God was with him and it would be alright. Darius had a sleepless night, a sick stomach, and wild thoughts. What a wonderful story of God’s love, and a great story of friendship between a ruler and his servant.
I like this story, mostly because once again it shows that God will stand with us if we stand with him.
It sounded like the the King faith in God’s mercy and power was being tested. He cried out for Daniel wondering if God had come through. I’m sure we’ve all have prayed some anxious prayer before and couldn’t wait to see it answered, and be able to praise God in it. Sometimes depending on the circumstance and the stage of our faith, we find it hard to praise while we’re so broken and pleading for intervention and forgiveness. That night the king must felt the weight of the world on his shoulders. He was directly responsible. I’m sure he pleaded for Daniel, but also himself. What a beautiful expeirience this turned out to be. The king learned how truely good God is, and yet how easily sinful he is. I’m sure after this experience he was careful to stay close to God.
I like your point about the king and felling that he was responsible for what had happened. And I could see him praying to God to save Daniel.