Daniel 6:13
Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day. Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.
The verse reports jealous officials accusing Daniel before Darius, naming him as a Jewish captive and claiming he ignores both the king and his signed order by still praying to his God three times daily. The order they mean had forbidden anyone for thirty days to ask anything of any god or man but Darius, on penalty of the lions' den, and it had been devised because Daniel's enemies could find no fault in his work and could trap him only by attacking his loyalty to God's law. Though he knew the writing was signed, Daniel did not hide, change, or lower his practice, but kept praying openly toward Jerusalem just as before, refusing to let any man come between him and God. His stand showed a faithfulness trained from youth and proved in earlier testing, that would not bend principle to escape death or to please earthly powers. God whom he served continually delivered him from the lions by angels, vindicated his loyalty, and turned the accusation into a witness that spread knowledge of the true and living God.
The Charge and Setting
The verse records the officials answering before the king with a formal accusation against Daniel. They identify him as one of the children of the captivity of Judah. They charge that he regards neither the king nor the signed decree, but still makes his petition to God three times a day. That signed decree forbade any man for thirty days to ask a petition of any god or man except Darius the king. Its penalty was being cast into the den of lions.
This took place under Darius the Median after he took the throne formerly held by the Babylonian rulers. He at once reorganized the government with one hundred and twenty princes under three presidents, of whom Daniel was first. The arrangement was so the princes would give account to them and the king would suffer no loss. The Daniel so accused was the one preferred above the presidents and princes because an excellent spirit was in him. The king planned to set him over the whole realm.
The charge grew from jealousy among the leading men over the honors bestowed on him. It did not come from any unfaithfulness, error, or fault in his work, for those seeking occasion against him could find none. They acknowledged they could find occasion only concerning the law of his God. They therefore devised a decree aimed at his faithfulness. Though Daniel knew of the decree, he did not change his practice but continued just as before. He prayed with his windows open toward Jerusalem three times a day.
Steadfast Faithfulness and Witness
His persistence in prayer under the ban showed a steadfast faithfulness cultivated from youth. Daily trials had strengthened his courage and firmness, enabling him to remain true to God even when prayer was made dangerous and the lions' den awaited him.
He did not hide his purpose or abandon his usual practice, but prayed three times a day with his window open toward Jerusalem just as before. He refused to pray in secret for convenience, to lower the standard, or to accommodate himself to circumstances and earthly powers. As God's representative he openly kept the living God exalted above all as the giver of wisdom and power, allowing no man to come between him and his God. He placed himself where he would lose his life in the gaping lions' den rather than dishonor the God of heaven in any way.
His firmness in the first test over eating at the king's table had kept him from weakening his powers and giving up God's glory, so he stood firm in this second test. He refused to let human authority override allegiance to God, refusing to regard a human decree above faithfulness to God even when great pressure was brought against him to stop. The threat of the lions' den could not make him abandon religious principle. His integrity and open confession of faith brought him honor before people.
In daring to stand alone he entered the blessed experience of being a channel through which God imparts grace, enriching poverty-stricken souls with heavenly riches while being enriched in return, an experience open to all who will dare to be a Daniel. The God whom he served continually delivered him out of the power of the lions. Angels protected him in the den where he was cast for his faithfulness, though his managers had found no fault in his work. God worked for him and honored him with wisdom and understanding above all the astrologers and magicians.
His loyalty brought him face to face with death, but God vindicated him. His experience illustrates that when duty brings God's people into trial God can protect them, while placing oneself under temptation instead brings danger of falling. His case brought the rulers' attention to his worship and gave him opportunity to testify that the God of heaven is the true and living God, worthy of worship and praise. Brought before the ruler for faithfulness, he gave the ruler opportunity to recognize God's supremacy. His steadfastness helped spread knowledge of the true God throughout Babylon.
His example teaches faithfulness to principle despite threats. The same strict integrity is required now, for the test coming to all who will enter the city of God is whether they will keep God's commandments and His honor before them instead of holding a convenient faith that serves the powers that be.