Daniel 6:16, commentary and pictures

Though the king tried to save him, he gave the command for Daniel to be brought and cast into the den of lions, the den was sealed so the decree could not be changed, and as Daniel went in the king declared his confidence that the God whom Daniel served continually would deliver him. Daniel had refused to hide or yield when prayer was forbidden on pain of death, but continued openly three times a day with his window open toward Jerusalem just as before, counting it better to lose his life than to dishonor God or let any man come between him and his God. God did not forget or forsake him in the den, but was with him with ministering angels and sent His angel to shut the mouths of the hungry lions so they did him no harm, and he was brought out with honor with integrity unstained. His deliverance showed the nation that Jehovah is the living and true God who is able and willing to save those who trust Him, and moved Darius to decree to all peoples and nations that men should tremble and fear before the God of Daniel whose kingdom shall not be destroyed. It proves God is a present helper and deliverer to all who remain steadfast to principle in the way of duty amid opposition and deadly danger, and calls for the same strict integrity now that keeps God's honor and commandments above human authority and convenience.

Setting and Royal Decree

After the fall of Babylon Darius the Mede took the throne formerly occupied by the Babylonian rulers in a reign over Medo-Persia and at once reorganized the government by setting 120 princes over the kingdom with three presidents over them of whom Daniel was first, and Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes because an excellent spirit was in him, so that the king thought to set him over the whole realm. That standing belonged to the two-year reign of Darius the Mede over Medo-Persia after the fall of Babylon, when Daniel held first place among the presidents and afterward prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian. His enemies were moved by jealousy, envy and hatred over the honors bestowed on him and by fear that his influence would weaken their control, yet his conduct was blameless and faithful with no error or fault found in him, so they acknowledged they could find no occasion against him except concerning the law of his God.

They laid a snare by getting an unalterable law of the Medes and Persians decreed that for thirty days no one could ask a petition of any God or man except Darius the king, on pain of being cast into the den of lions. Then by the king's command Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions despite the king's effort to save him, and the den was sealed so that what had been decreed could not be changed. As Daniel was cast in, the king acknowledged Daniel's continual service to God and expressed confidence and hope that the God whom Daniel served continually would deliver him.

Steadfast Prayer Under Threat

Though he knew of the decree threatening death, Daniel continued his regular, open prayer three times a day in his chamber with his window open toward Jerusalem just as he had done before, as his custom. The threat of death did not turn him from his duty to God, and his casting into the den was the result of that faithfulness. His communion shows that earnest prayer is heard and answered.

He refused to hide his purpose or lower his colors, to accommodate himself to circumstances or lower the standard to meet the people. He refused to treat open or secret prayer as a small convenient matter, or to let any man come between him and his God. He counted supplication important enough to sacrifice his life rather than give it up, to lose his life rather than dishonor God in any way, counting it better to lose the present life than eternal life. The threat of death did not make him hide his purpose or abandon his duty, but he continued to worship rather than conform, keeping God's honor above human authority or convenience.

His steadfastness rested on firm adherence to principle cultivated from youth. Steadfastness in the smaller trials of daily life had strengthened his faith, courage and firmness, enabling him to stand true when his life was at risk. His faithfulness in the first test over eating at the king's table prepared the way for faithfulness in the second test over prayer, so that yielding in the small matter would have meant yielding in the great one.

His trust did not change with his circumstances: he was the same in danger and gloom in the den as when he stood before the king in brighter circumstances surrounded by God's light, unchanged in character. A heart anchored in God remains steadfast through danger and discouragement as in prosperity, for faith holds to unseen and eternal realities through trial. He continued to pray even in the den.

Angelic Deliverance in Den

God permitted his enemies to cast him into the den, and this only made his deliverance more striking and their defeat more complete. His courage in choosing what was right rather than political expediency helped defeat Satan and exalt and honor God's name.

God did not forget or forsake him there. Heaven watched over his case to see if he would be faithful, while angels were with him as companions to minister to him and to guard and protect him in the emergency. Holy angels guarded him, and Jesus the mighty Commander of heaven's host was with him to keep him from harm, just as He was with the three Hebrews in the fiery furnace. His casting in was the result of faithfulness in prayer, and his continual service in prayer morning and noon brought angelic protection and deliverance.

An angel sent by God shut and closed and stopped the mouths of the hungry lions, so they did him no harm. He kept praying even in the den, and God did not forget the praying man there but left peace in the terrible den. The king witnessed his preservation and brought him out with honor with integrity unstained. His rescue shows that God cares for those who suffer for truth.

His continual service gave the king reason to hope that God would deliver him. His rescue shows that communion with God has value and earnest prayer is heard and answered. Fervent prayer enrages Satan because he suffers loss by it, while the prayer of faith is the Christian's great strength that will assuredly prevail against him.

Witness to Kings and Defeat

Daniel's coming out of the den unharmed showed the nation that Jehovah is the living and true God, able and willing to save those who trust Him. The king himself had acknowledged Daniel's continual service and hoped his God would deliver him, and that deliverance gave Daniel opportunity to testify that God alone should receive worship, praise and homage. The episode stands as an illustration of how rulers were brought to recognize and proclaim God's supremacy. It proved that no earthly ruler has the right to come between a person and God.

That deliverance moved Darius to decree to all peoples, nations and languages that men should tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, who is the living and steadfast God whose kingdom shall not be destroyed and whose dominion is unto the end. He proclaimed Him as the God who delivers and rescues and works signs and wonders and had delivered Daniel from the power of the lions, after which Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian. While those loyal to God were seeking the Lord and studying the prophecies of their deliverance, God was in this way preparing the hearts of kings to show favor to His repentant people. Their steadfastness helped spread knowledge of the true God throughout Babylon.

Daniel's courage in choosing what was right rather than political expediency helped defeat Satan and exalt and honor God's name. His preservation brought him out with honor while Satan's plan to destroy him was defeated. Satan and his angels were defeated and enraged by the failure of the plot.

When the king recognized that the wise men had sought to destroy Daniel and rid him of his power, he became angry and punished and destroyed Daniel's enemies. They were doomed to perish in the same terrible manner they had plotted against him.

Trust and Obedience Today

Daniel stands as a helpless servant surrounded by powerful enemies holding power in the kingdom, yet his trust in God's word stands firm against human power and evil and against the power of the world. His trust does not change with circumstances, for he is the same in danger and gloom in the den as when he stood before the king in brighter circumstances surrounded by God's light, unchanged in character. A heart thus anchored in God remains steadfast through danger and discouragement as in prosperity, because faith reaches beyond what is seen and holds to unseen and eternal realities through trial.

The casting into the den is the result of faithfulness, yet God does not forsake those who remain steadfast to principle amid opposition and persecution but proves Himself a present helper and deliverer to them. Protection is sure when trial comes in the way of duty, but those who place themselves under temptation by choosing to associate with the servants of Satan will fall sooner or later. God does not forget His children when they are condemned and imprisoned for doing right or when they face deadly danger, but draws near in tenderness and compassion and sends holy angels to minister to them. Even within prison walls they remain connected to Christ and can receive light and peace by angels, for He is with His faithful obedient servants in danger to keep them from harm as He was with the three Hebrews in the furnace. Unjust confinement and suffering for doing right does not mean God has ceased to reign or abandoned them, and apparent defeat is not the end, for God permits humbling yet brings triumph through which He is glorified.

Integrity of character must be cultivated now, for Daniel's firm adherence to principle cultivated from youth carried him through, and his example calls for strict integrity that keeps God's honor and commandments and obedience above human authority and convenience. Compromising principle would dishonor God and weaken faith, while knowing and understanding truth through personal Bible study and God's Spirit gives steadfast faith that trials cannot turn aside. His continual service in prayer morning and noon brought angelic protection and deliverance in emergency, and husbands and wives who unite to pray morning and noon will have the same angelic protection as they prepare for what is coming upon the world.

Daniel dared to stand alone in Jesus Christ, serving God continually even at the cost of the den, and that daring consecration made him a vessel into which heavenly treasure could be received and a channel from which it could flow in rich currents to souls starving for an example of righteousness. The same experience is for all who will dare to be a Daniel by turning from self-centeredness to enrich poverty-stricken souls, following self-denial and cross-bearing, having God's love as golden oil from the two olive trees poured into the heart, being enriched while enriching others. They reach the highest mental and moral development by cooperating with Christ, learning His methods, accepting His Holy Spirit and laboring together with Him, with ministering angels waiting to communicate heavenly treasures through them. Because he stood forth for God's honor whatever the result and used the decree as an opportunity to show whence his strength came, keeping the living Giver of wisdom and power exalted above all as His representative, God worked for him and let blessing rest upon him in remarkable degree, honoring him with wisdom and understanding more than all the astrologers and magicians in the palace. His course proves the same strict integrity is required now, refusing a convenient faith manipulated according to convenience and keeping God's commandments and honor before serving the powers that be, for this same test of loyalty is coming to all who will enter the city of God.

He was cast in because he remained true and unwavering in allegiance to God and to heaven even when death threatened and he would not give up that allegiance. His endurance bears witness to the power of faith and to God's sustaining presence and grace in persecution, as an example of God's witnesses enduring persecution for the truth. His faithful integrity and refusal to honor any human command above God led God to honor and protect him, giving the king confidence that God would deliver him. The proving in the gaping den shows that those who lay aside preconceived opinions, take the Word as Thus saith the Lord, and believe and practice it irrespective of financial loss or gain have divine principles inwrought in the heart as if written with the finger of God. Such cannot be intimidated by the den to deny and betray the truth for any amount of favor, worldly honors, exalted position or human reputation, which is to them as nothingness, for to them to live is to obey the word of Christ and to die for truth's sake is gain as those enlisted under the blood-stained banner of Prince Emmanuel. Faith in God may require facing danger rather than turning back, and willingness to enter the den is the tested faith required to obey God despite the prospect of death, showing that faithfulness continues even when people bring pressure to bear.