It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom;
Upon taking the throne formerly occupied by the Babylonian rulers after the fall of Babylon, Darius the Mede at once reorganized the Medo-Persian government by setting one hundred and twenty princes over the whole kingdom. Over those princes were three presidents, with Daniel first because an excellent spirit was in him, and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. Darius was favored of heaven, confirmed and strengthened by Gabriel in his first year, and he reigned over Medo-Persia for two years after the fall of Babylon.
The honors bestowed upon Daniel and his blameless conduct excited the jealousy of the leading men of the kingdom. They watched him closely and sought occasion for complaint against him, but were forced to acknowledge they could find no fault except concerning the law of his God. While Daniel and the loyal in Babylon were seeking the Lord in prayer and studying the prophecies of deliverance, God was preparing the hearts of kings to show favor to His repentant people. During the reign of Darius, Daniel was cast into the lions' den and delivered unharmed, after which Darius decreed reverence for Daniel's living God throughout his dominion, and Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Daniel's service as a statesman under Darius in connection with outside and worldly power did not pervert or compromise his faith and principles. His example shows that connection with outside parties in business work need be no more detrimental to spirituality, but can keep open the door of contact with the world to give rays of light. The work that represents truth is always to stand first and commercial work second, and any outside work that interferes with spirituality is to be excluded.
Upon taking the throne formerly occupied by the Babylonian rulers after the fall of Babylon, Darius the Mede at once reorganized the Medo-Persian government by setting one hundred and twenty princes over the whole kingdom. Over those princes were three presidents, with Daniel first because an excellent spirit was in him, and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. Darius was favored of heaven, confirmed and strengthened by Gabriel in his first year, and he reigned over Medo-Persia for two years after the fall of Babylon.
The honors bestowed upon Daniel and his blameless conduct excited the jealousy of the leading men of the kingdom. They watched him closely and sought occasion for complaint against him, but were forced to acknowledge they could find no fault except concerning the law of his God. While Daniel and the loyal in Babylon were seeking the Lord in prayer and studying the prophecies of deliverance, God was preparing the hearts of kings to show favor to His repentant people. During the reign of Darius, Daniel was cast into the lions' den and delivered unharmed, after which Darius decreed reverence for Daniel's living God throughout his dominion, and Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Daniel's service as a statesman under Darius in connection with outside and worldly power did not pervert or compromise his faith and principles. His example shows that connection with outside parties in business work need be no more detrimental to spirituality, but can keep open the door of contact with the world to give rays of light. The work that represents truth is always to stand first and commercial work second, and any outside work that interferes with spirituality is to be excluded.