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Daniel 6

28 verses

TL;DR

Daniel is unjustly condemned by jealous officials, but God's power saves him from the lions while the accusers are punished, leading the king to proclaim the everlasting kingdom of Daniel’s God.

Summary

After being promoted above all other officials, Daniel’s steadfast faith draws envy from the presidents and princes, who plot to find a ground for his punishment. They persuade King Darius to issue a decree forbidding anyone who prays to any deity other than the king to be thrown into the lions’ den. Daniel continues to pray three times daily, attracting the officials’ suspicion. He is caught praying, arrested, and cast into the den, but an angel shuts the lions’ mouths and he emerges unharmed. The king, witnessing Daniel’s safety, orders the accusers, their families, and wives into the den, where the lions kill them. Darius then issues a decree proclaiming the eternal dominion of Daniel’s God, and Daniel prosperes during both the reigns of Darius and Cyrus.

Outline
  1. Daniel’s rise to prominence and the officials’ conspiracy to trap him.
  2. King Darius issues a deadly decree, Daniel is arrested, and the lions’ den.
  3. Daniel’s deliverance, the accusers’ punishment, and the king’s proclamation of God’s everlasting kingdom.
Themes
Faith and obedience in the face of persecutionDivine protection and interventionThe conflict between earthly authority and heavenly sovereignty
Keywords
DanielDariusCyrusdecreeden of lionsprayerfaithdeliveranceangel
People
DanielDariusCyrus
Places
JerusalemDen of lionsPalaceThe kingdom
Things
Den of lionsStoneSignetDecreePrayer
Key Verses
  • Daniel 6:8: The decree that anyone praying to any deity other than the king is to be thrown into the lions’ den.
  • Daniel 6:16: Daniel is cast into the den, setting the stage for divine intervention.
  • Daniel 6:22: Daniel declares that an angel has shut the lions’ mouths, evidencing God's deliverance.
  • Daniel 6:24: The accusers, along with their families, are punished, completing the narrative of justice.
Questions
  • What does Daniel’s daily prayer ritual reveal about his faith and relationship with God?
  • How does the king’s change of heart illustrate the limits of human authority?
  • In what ways does the story emphasize the theme of divine justice versus human injustice?
Sentiment

positive
The narrative ends with divine deliverance and triumph of faith.