Lesson 306: DANIEL IN THE LION'S DEN

Dan. 6

Full Lesson HERE

INTRODUCTION. Darius the Mede was appointed governor of Babylon by Cyrus,

king of the Medes and Persians who was the conqueror of Babylon in 539 B. C. Darius

appointed 120 princes or satraps over the kingdom, and placed three presidents or

governors over the satraps of whom Daniel was one.

Because Darius favored Daniel for his excellence, the other two presidents (governors)

were jealous and attempted to discredit Daniel. When they could find no fault

in Daniel, they tricked Darius into making a royal law that no one could make a

petition of any god or man for thirty days except of the king (Darius). Anyone

disobeying this law would be cast into a den of lions.

In spite of this law, Daniel courageously continued to pray to God three times daily at

his window which was opened toward Jerusalem. The jealous men reported this to

Darius, who was greatly displeased by the trickery and tried to find a way to deliver

Daniel. However, since the law of the Medes and Persians could not be changed,

Daniel was cast into the den of lions.

Darius spent the night fasting, and very early in the morning went to the lions' den to

determine Daniel's fate. When Daniel emerged unhurt, the king commanded that

the men who had accused Daniel be cast into the den of lions. Before they reached

the bottom of the den, the lions broke them in pieces.