STUDIES IN THE BOOK OF DANIEL.

Darius’s Decree—Daniel’s Disobedience and Consequent Exposure to the Lions—His Deliverance by God. Dan. 6:1-28

“Daniel had a disciplined prayer life. Our prayers are usually interrupted, not by threats, but simply by the pressure of our schedules. Don’t let threats or pressures cut into your prayer time. Pray regularly, no matter what, for prayer is your lifeline to God…Daniel continued to pray because he could not look to the king for the guidance and strength that he needed during this difficult time. Only God could provide what he really needed.” Life Appl. Notes.,

1. Dan. 6:11-17. ^“Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.Then they came near…Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?…Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee… but maketh his petition three times a day.Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him…Know…That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed. Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee…”
2. 6:11. assembled—as in Da 6:6, Ps. 10:9; 37:32-33 “assembled” or “ran hastily,” so as to come upon Daniel suddenly and detect him in the act.” JFB “They found him on his knees praying and making supplication before his God. For his love they are his adversaries; but, like his father David, he gives himself unto prayer,Ps. 109:4. 2.” M. Henry
3. 6:12-13. “They appealed to his whether there was not such a law made, and gained from him a recognition of it, and that it was so ratified that it might not be altered, they proceeded to accuse Daniel… the information they give, as to exasperate the king and incense him the more against him: “He is of the children of the captivity of Judah…that despicable people, and now a captive in a despicable state…” M. Henry He has no regard to thy laws. Est. 3:8, Ac. 5:29; 17:7.
4. 6. 14-15. “The king now clearly perceived for what purpose the decree had been solicited; and was exceedingly displeased with himself that he had suffered himself to be so deluded. ch. 3:13. Matt. 27:17–24, Mk. 6:26, Jn. 19:7–12. He strove during the whole day, by every means, to evade or annul the edict; Know O king ver. 8, 12, Est. 8:8, Ps. 94:20, 21” TSK
5. 6:16-17. The king commanded 2Sam. 3:39, Jer. 26:14; 38:5, Mk. 6:25–28; 15. Thy God whom you serve. ch. 3:15, 17, 28. Job 5:19, Ps. 37:39, 40; 91:14–16; 118:8–9, Is. 43:2, Ac. 27:23–24. The pit was sealed. La. 3:53, Matt. 27:60–66. Ac. 12:4; 16:2. Those who serve God continually he will continually preserve.