Daniel 6:1 It pleased Darius to appoint 120 governors of the kingdom throughout the land
Daniel 6:2 King Darius chose three men to rule over the 120 governors. Daniel was one of the three overseers that the king put these men in this position so that the king might not suffer loss.
Daniel 6:3 Then Daniel excelled over all of them, because character was different than the others, and the King considered to set him up over all his kingdom.
Daniel 6:4 The other 2 overseers and the governors tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy.
Daniel 6:5 Finally, they said, we will never find any reason to accuse Daniel of doing something wrong. So, we must find something to complain about that is connected to the law of his God.
Daniel 6:6 The 2 other overseers and the governors quickly went to the king and said: Your Majesty, we hope you will live forever.
Daniel 6:7 The overseers, the governors, advisors, and the captains have all agreed on something. We think that the king should make this law and that everyone must obey it: For the next 30 days, whoever prays to any god or man except you, King, will be thrown into the lions’ den.
Daniel 6:8 Now, King, make the law and sign the paper so that it cannot be changed, because the laws of the Medes and Persians cannot be canceled or changed.”
Daniel 6:9 So King Darius made the law and signed it.
Daniel 6:10 They told Daniel about this new law, but he went into his house, and he knelt down and prayed 3 times every day, and he praised God as he always did. He prayed in front of the open windows of his room on the roof. The windows were open towards Jerusalem.
Daniel 6:11 The other officials came together, and they saw Daniel praying to his God. asking God for help
Daniel 6:12 They went to the king and said to him: ‘Your Majesty, you have made a law that says: “All people may pray only to you for 30 days, and if anyone prays to another man or god during these 30 days, then you will throw him to the lions. The king said: ‘Yes, it is a law of the Medes and Persians. No one can change that law.
Daniel 6:13 Then they said to the king, that man Daniel is not paying any attention to you. He is one of the captives from Judah, and he is not paying attention to the law you signed. Daniel still prays to his God three times every day.
Daniel 6:14 The king became very sad and upset when he heard this. He decided to save Daniel. He worked until sunset trying to think of a way to save him.
Daniel 6:15 But those officials went to the king and said to him: King, you know that according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, no law that the king signs can be changed.
Daniel 6:16 So King Darius gave the order. They brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May the God you serve continually, he will save you!
Daniel 6:17 A big rock was brought and put over the opening of the lions’ den. Then the king used his ring and put his seal on the rock. He also used the rings of his officials and put their seals on the rock. This showed that no one could move that rock and bring Daniel out of the lion’s den.
Daniel 6: 18 Then King Darius went back to his house. He did not eat that night. He did not want anyone to come and entertain him. He could not sleep all night.
Daniel 6:19 The next morning, King Darius got up just as it was getting light and ran to the lions’ den
Daniel 6:20 When he got to the lions’ den, he called to Daniel. He said, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God who you always serve been able to save you from the lions?
Daniel 6:21 Daniel answered, King, live forever.
Daniel 6:22 My God sent his angel to save me. The angel closed the lions’ mouths. The lions have not hurt me because my God knows I am innocent. I never did anything wrong to you, King.
Daniel 6:23 King Darius was very happy. He told his servants to lift Daniel out of the lions’ den. And when Daniel was lifted out of the den, they did not find any injury on his body. The lions did not hurt Daniel because he trusted in his God.
Daniel 6:24 Then the king gave a command to bring the men who had accused Daniel to the lions’ den. The men and their wives and children were thrown into the lions’ den. The lions grabbed them before they hit the floor. The lions ate their bodies and then chewed on their bones.
Daniel 6:25 Then King Darius wrote this letter to all the people from other nations and language groups all around the world: He wrote, I hope you all are very well.
Daniel 6:26 I now make a new law that everyone in my kingdom must honor and fear the God of Daniel because He is the living God, and He will live forever. He will always be King and rule forever.
Daniel 6:27 He saves people and makes them free. He gives signs and does miracles in heaven and on earth. He saved Daniel from the lions so that they could not kill him.
Daniel 6:28 All went well with Daniel while Darius was king and when Cyrus became king. Cyrus was the man from the land of Persia.