Daniel 6:2
And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.
When Darius the Mede took the throne formerly occupied by the Babylonian rulers, he at once reorganized the government early in the establishment of the Medo-Persian empire after the fall of Babylon. In his first year he set 120 princes over the whole kingdom and three presidents over them, to receive their accounts so that the king would suffer no damage or loss. Darius reigned two years after the fall of Babylon and was favored of heaven. Gabriel stood to confirm and strengthen him in his first year, the same year Daniel prayed for the speedy restoration of the captive exiles.
Daniel was made and ranked first among the three presidents, which placed him in a leading position in the new government. Because an excellent spirit was in him he was preferred above the presidents and princes, and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. Through this high position God was preparing the hearts of kings to show favor to His repentant people while they were seeking the Lord and studying the prophecies of deliverance. His blameless and faithful conduct in that high position excited still further jealousy in the leading men of the kingdom. They sought occasion for complaint against him in his work but could find none, for he was faithful and no error or fault was found in him and his work, and they were forced to acknowledge they could find no occasion against him except concerning the law of his God.
Daniel served as first of the presidents and a leading statesman under a heathen king, doing statesman work in constant connection with outside parties, yet his work was no perversion of his faith and principles. Work in public or commercial affairs in connection with outsiders does not in itself corrupt faith or spirituality. Connection with outsiders in business need be no more detrimental to spirituality, so commercial work for outside parties may continue in publishing houses as a means of giving rays of light to the world. Whenever it interferes with spirituality it must be excluded, with the work that represents the truth and the mission of giving the message of warning and mercy always first and commercial work second.