Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.
Daniel speaks alive at dawn from the lions' den, answering the king with a formal, respectful wish for his long life after surviving the night there. His courtesy shows he remained respectful, loyal and unchanged in character toward the king even in mortal danger and after deliverance, with faithfulness to God never setting aside courtesy. His greeting opens his testimony that God sent His angel to shut the lions' mouths so he was unharmed, because he was innocent before God and had done the king no wrong. He had kept praying openly three times a day with his windows open toward Jerusalem though he knew the thirty-day decree forbade petition to any God or man but Darius on pain of the den, refusing to conceal, abandon or soften his worship even under threat of death. God guarded him by holy angels and by Jesus Himself, bringing him out with honor so that Darius decreed to all peoples to tremble before the living and everlasting God of Daniel whose kingdom shall not be destroyed.
Kingdom Setting and Decree
Daniel's answer to the king belongs under Darius the Median after he took the throne formerly held by Babylonian rulers, in the early establishment of the Medo-Persian empire during his two years of reign after the fall of Babylon. At that time Darius set 120 princes over the kingdom and three presidents over them with Daniel first, so that the princes might give account to them and the king should have no damage. Because an excellent spirit was in Daniel, the king preferred him above the presidents and princes and planned to set him over the whole realm.
The honors bestowed on Daniel and his blameless conduct excited the jealousy of the leading men of the kingdom. They sought occasion of complaint against him but could find none, for he was faithful and neither error nor fault was found in him. At last they admitted they could find no occasion against him except concerning the law of his God, so they arranged for his prayers to be treated as a crime.
A royal decree signed in Babylon forbade asking a petition of any God or man except Darius the king for thirty days, on pain of being cast into the lions' den. It was a decree against praying to anyone but the king, forbidding prayer after Daniel's faithful manner.
Though Daniel knew of the decree, he kept praying three times a day with his windows open toward Jerusalem just as he had done before it was made. He prayed openly in his tent to show from whence came his strength, and he continued to pray even in the den after he was cast there for it.
Greeting Alive From Den
The verse is Daniel's formal, respectful wish for the king's long life, spoken alive from the lions' den at dawn after surviving the night there, as he answers the king following his deliverance. It happens under Darius the Mede in the early establishment of the Medo-Persian empire, during his two years of reign after the fall of Babylon, when Daniel had been made first of three presidents over one hundred and twenty princes because an excellent spirit was in him. His survival leads Darius to decree to all peoples that men tremble before the God of Daniel as the living and everlasting God whose kingdom shall not be destroyed, who delivers and works signs in heaven and earth. The event proves that while the loyal exiles were seeking the Lord and studying the prophecies of their deliverance, God was preparing the hearts of kings to show favor to His repentant people.
The greeting shows Daniel remained respectful, courteous, and loyal toward the king even in mortal danger and after deliverance, holding to open prayer and witness for God under a hostile royal decree. His faithfulness to God did not prevent courtesy, for his faithfulness in the den was the same as when he stood before the king in brighter circumstances. The Daniel who stood before the king was unchanged in character under danger and hardship, steadfast and faithful to God even in the lions' den. His example shows that faith reaches beyond what is seen and holds to eternal things, so a heart fixed on God remains true through affliction and discouragement.
His words introduce his explanation that God sent His angel to shut the lions' mouths so he was unharmed, and that he had been innocent before God and had done the king no wrong. His deliverance demonstrated to the nation that Jehovah is living and able to save those who trust Him. It showed that no earthly ruler has the right to interfere with a person's relation to God or take God's place as the one to honor and obey.
Unyielding Prayer and Integrity
The threat of death did not turn Daniel from his duty to God, for despite the king's decree he continued his regular daily prayers openly, without concealing, abandoning, hiding, or softening his purpose, and danger could not keep him from them. He prayed openly even with the lions' den before him, and was thrown into the den and then delivered by God so that he could answer the king alive. His steadfastness through daily trials had strengthened his faith and courage, enabling him to stand true even with the lions' den before him. That steadfastness shows that firm religious principle can withstand even the threat of death.
He would rather risk death and lose his life than dishonor God or compromise his worship and surrender principle to obey the king's demand. He trusted God to sustain him even with the lions' den before him, and he valued eternal life with God more than safety or continued life in this world. His steadfastness was vindicated by God and helped spread knowledge of the true God throughout Babylon. Divine principles were inwrought in his heart as if written with the finger of God, so that the gaping den could not intimidate him to deny and betray the truth for any amount of favor or worldly honors or for exalted position. Man's reputation was to him as nothingness, for to live was to obey the word of Christ and to die for truth's sake was gain, as one enlisted to serve under the blood-stained banner of Prince Emmanuel.
He kept strict integrity and exalted God above all, refusing to accommodate circumstances or lower the standard to meet the people, praying openly in his tent to show from whence came his strength though a gaping lions' den was open before him. He would lose his life rather than dishonor God in any way, and because he did not yield on praying openly, God let His blessing rest upon him in remarkable degree and honored him, working for him as He will work for all who stand firm to principle. His remaining faithful through danger and persecution shows that confidence grounded in personal knowledge of the truth can keep a person from turning away.
Angelic Deliverance and Vindication
God sent holy angels to guard him in the den and to minister to him while he was exposed to danger, stopping the lions' mouths so that he was unharmed and delivered. God sent an angel to shut the lions' mouths, and did not abandon him when he stood by his faith. Jesus, the Commander of the host of heaven, sent His angel to close the mouths of the hungry lions so they did not hurt the praying man, and Jesus Himself was with him there, so that all was peace in the den. He continued to pray even in the den, and God did not forget him there and does not forsake His people in danger and distress.
God did not prevent evil angels and wicked men from casting him in, but permitted them to go that far so that the deliverance of His servant would be more marked and the defeat of the enemies of truth and righteousness would be more complete. The king witnessed his preservation and brought him out with honor. The king then recognized the wise men's plot against him and destroyed his enemies, while the agents who plotted his destruction were doomed to perish in the same terrible manner. His imprisonment and condemnation do not prove that God has ceased to reign, for God is with His faithful servants in danger.
Witness to Kings and Peoples
When God brought His servant before a ruler, his living answer from the den helped bring the king and his people light and led the monarch to proclaim the supremacy of Daniel's God. This took place under Darius the Mede in the early establishment of the Medo-Persian empire, during his two years of reign after the fall of Babylon, when Daniel had been made first of three presidents over one hundred and twenty princes because an excellent spirit was in him. After Daniel came out unharmed from a night in the lions' den, Darius decreed to all peoples that men should tremble before the God of Daniel as the living and everlasting God whose kingdom shall not be destroyed, who delivers and works signs in heaven and earth. His deliverance demonstrated to the nation that Jehovah is living and able to save those who trust Him, and that no earthly ruler has the right to interfere with a person's relation to God or take God's place as the one to honor and obey.
His faithful prayer despite the decree against asking any God or man except the king brought rulers' attention to his faith and gave opportunity to show that the God of heaven alone is the true and living God worthy of worship and praise, with deliverance from the lions providing further evidence. His steadfastness when obedience to the king's demand would have meant surrendering principle even at the risk of death was vindicated by God and helped spread knowledge of the true God throughout Babylon. Though cast there for firm adherence to principle and loyalty to God, he triumphed in the end and God was glorified through him. While the loyal exiles were seeking the Lord and studying the prophecies of their deliverance, God was preparing the hearts of kings to show favor to His repentant people.
Through the courage of one man who chose to follow right rather than policy, the wrath of man praised God, Satan was defeated, and the name of God was exalted and honored. His words spoken in the king's court after God spread His shield over him in the den were a confession of faith in the Lord God of heaven. He valued the favor of God above the favor and praise of princes and refused to bow to any earthly mandate detracting from God's honor. Because of that faithful integrity and determination to honor God above every human power, the Lord God of hosts, whose power is over all heaven and earth, loved him and signally honored him before men.
Trust and End-Time Application
Though utterly helpless in himself against enemies in the high places of the kingdom, he trusted the word of God and withstood the power of the whole world. His stand witnesses to the power of God's word against human power and policy in support of evil, and places him in the world's true nobility and royal line that the youth of today are called to join. His example shows that faith reaches beyond what is seen and holds to eternal things. A heart fixed on God remains true through affliction and discouragement, the same in the den as in brighter circumstances before the king, unchanged in character under danger and hardship.
When trial comes in the course of duty in the king's court, God will surely protect those who are in the way of duty. Choosing association with the servants of Satan and conformity to worldly customs that make sin appear less repulsive places one under temptation and will lead to falling sooner or later. God's followers may suffer persecution and affliction for faith because they would not give up allegiance to God. Yet His tenderness and compassion do not forget His own in prison, for Jesus was with him there and kept him unharmed, giving reason to trust when suffering for no crime except seeking to make men kind and obedient, truthful and loyal.
As God did not forget him in the den but kept him alive to speak to the king, so the same keeping belongs to God's people in the final trying hour. Then protection is withdrawn and they are bound in chains, shut in prison, sentenced to be slain, with no human ear or hand to help. Dungeon walls cannot cut off communication between their souls and Christ, who sees every weakness and trial and is above all earthly powers, and angels come to them in lonely cells bringing light and peace from heaven so the prison becomes as a palace lit with heavenly light.
He was kept alive after the den because God works for all who stand firm to principle, and he kept strict integrity and exalted God above all. He refused to accommodate circumstances or lower the standard to meet the people, praying openly in his tent to show from whence came his strength though a gaping den was open before him, and he would lose his life rather than dishonor God in any way. Because he did not yield on praying openly, God let His blessing rest upon him in remarkable degree and honored him. His course requires the same strict integrity in Sabbathkeeping now, and gives the test coming to all who will enter the city of God, whether they will keep God's commandments and His honor before them or serve the powers that be with a convenient faith.
He dared to stand alone in Jesus Christ, and that standing is open to all. Everyone who will dare to be a Daniel can obtain the blessed experience of being a channel through which God imparts grace, having the treasure of God's love poured into the heart, being enriched while seeking to enrich poverty-stricken souls. Ministering angels wait to communicate heavenly treasures through them, and they reach the highest mental and moral development by cooperating with Jesus Christ, learning His methods, accepting His Holy Spirit, and laboring together with Him. His life shows how truth binds youth to the throne of God and gives strength from heaven to confess allegiance without turning aside from integrity, for he valued God's favor above princes and refused to bow to any earthly mandate detracting from God's honor, and the Lord loved him and signally honored him before men. Youth today should follow him by not being ashamed of their colors but displaying them in words, habits, and practices, making a telling confession of faith and letting Christ occupy the throne in the soul temple. As he prayed in the morning and at noon and angels protected him in the emergency when cast into the den for praying, husbands and wives are to unite to pray in the morning and at noon so angels will protect them in preparation for what is coming upon the world.
Daniel speaks alive at dawn from the lions' den, answering the king with a formal, respectful wish for his long life after surviving the night there. His courtesy shows he remained respectful, loyal and unchanged in character toward the king even in mortal danger and after deliverance, with faithfulness to God never setting aside courtesy. His greeting opens his testimony that God sent His angel to shut the lions' mouths so he was unharmed, because he was innocent before God and had done the king no wrong. He had kept praying openly three times a day with his windows open toward Jerusalem though he knew the thirty-day decree forbade petition to any God or man but Darius on pain of the den, refusing to conceal, abandon or soften his worship even under threat of death. God guarded him by holy angels and by Jesus Himself, bringing him out with honor so that Darius decreed to all peoples to tremble before the living and everlasting God of Daniel whose kingdom shall not be destroyed.
Kingdom Setting and Decree
Daniel's answer to the king belongs under Darius the Median after he took the throne formerly held by Babylonian rulers, in the early establishment of the Medo-Persian empire during his two years of reign after the fall of Babylon. At that time Darius set 120 princes over the kingdom and three presidents over them with Daniel first, so that the princes might give account to them and the king should have no damage. Because an excellent spirit was in Daniel, the king preferred him above the presidents and princes and planned to set him over the whole realm.
The honors bestowed on Daniel and his blameless conduct excited the jealousy of the leading men of the kingdom. They sought occasion of complaint against him but could find none, for he was faithful and neither error nor fault was found in him. At last they admitted they could find no occasion against him except concerning the law of his God, so they arranged for his prayers to be treated as a crime.
A royal decree signed in Babylon forbade asking a petition of any God or man except Darius the king for thirty days, on pain of being cast into the lions' den. It was a decree against praying to anyone but the king, forbidding prayer after Daniel's faithful manner.
Though Daniel knew of the decree, he kept praying three times a day with his windows open toward Jerusalem just as he had done before it was made. He prayed openly in his tent to show from whence came his strength, and he continued to pray even in the den after he was cast there for it.
Greeting Alive From Den
The verse is Daniel's formal, respectful wish for the king's long life, spoken alive from the lions' den at dawn after surviving the night there, as he answers the king following his deliverance. It happens under Darius the Mede in the early establishment of the Medo-Persian empire, during his two years of reign after the fall of Babylon, when Daniel had been made first of three presidents over one hundred and twenty princes because an excellent spirit was in him. His survival leads Darius to decree to all peoples that men tremble before the God of Daniel as the living and everlasting God whose kingdom shall not be destroyed, who delivers and works signs in heaven and earth. The event proves that while the loyal exiles were seeking the Lord and studying the prophecies of their deliverance, God was preparing the hearts of kings to show favor to His repentant people.
The greeting shows Daniel remained respectful, courteous, and loyal toward the king even in mortal danger and after deliverance, holding to open prayer and witness for God under a hostile royal decree. His faithfulness to God did not prevent courtesy, for his faithfulness in the den was the same as when he stood before the king in brighter circumstances. The Daniel who stood before the king was unchanged in character under danger and hardship, steadfast and faithful to God even in the lions' den. His example shows that faith reaches beyond what is seen and holds to eternal things, so a heart fixed on God remains true through affliction and discouragement.
His words introduce his explanation that God sent His angel to shut the lions' mouths so he was unharmed, and that he had been innocent before God and had done the king no wrong. His deliverance demonstrated to the nation that Jehovah is living and able to save those who trust Him. It showed that no earthly ruler has the right to interfere with a person's relation to God or take God's place as the one to honor and obey.
Unyielding Prayer and Integrity
The threat of death did not turn Daniel from his duty to God, for despite the king's decree he continued his regular daily prayers openly, without concealing, abandoning, hiding, or softening his purpose, and danger could not keep him from them. He prayed openly even with the lions' den before him, and was thrown into the den and then delivered by God so that he could answer the king alive. His steadfastness through daily trials had strengthened his faith and courage, enabling him to stand true even with the lions' den before him. That steadfastness shows that firm religious principle can withstand even the threat of death.
He would rather risk death and lose his life than dishonor God or compromise his worship and surrender principle to obey the king's demand. He trusted God to sustain him even with the lions' den before him, and he valued eternal life with God more than safety or continued life in this world. His steadfastness was vindicated by God and helped spread knowledge of the true God throughout Babylon. Divine principles were inwrought in his heart as if written with the finger of God, so that the gaping den could not intimidate him to deny and betray the truth for any amount of favor or worldly honors or for exalted position. Man's reputation was to him as nothingness, for to live was to obey the word of Christ and to die for truth's sake was gain, as one enlisted to serve under the blood-stained banner of Prince Emmanuel.
He kept strict integrity and exalted God above all, refusing to accommodate circumstances or lower the standard to meet the people, praying openly in his tent to show from whence came his strength though a gaping lions' den was open before him. He would lose his life rather than dishonor God in any way, and because he did not yield on praying openly, God let His blessing rest upon him in remarkable degree and honored him, working for him as He will work for all who stand firm to principle. His remaining faithful through danger and persecution shows that confidence grounded in personal knowledge of the truth can keep a person from turning away.
Angelic Deliverance and Vindication
God sent holy angels to guard him in the den and to minister to him while he was exposed to danger, stopping the lions' mouths so that he was unharmed and delivered. God sent an angel to shut the lions' mouths, and did not abandon him when he stood by his faith. Jesus, the Commander of the host of heaven, sent His angel to close the mouths of the hungry lions so they did not hurt the praying man, and Jesus Himself was with him there, so that all was peace in the den. He continued to pray even in the den, and God did not forget him there and does not forsake His people in danger and distress.
God did not prevent evil angels and wicked men from casting him in, but permitted them to go that far so that the deliverance of His servant would be more marked and the defeat of the enemies of truth and righteousness would be more complete. The king witnessed his preservation and brought him out with honor. The king then recognized the wise men's plot against him and destroyed his enemies, while the agents who plotted his destruction were doomed to perish in the same terrible manner. His imprisonment and condemnation do not prove that God has ceased to reign, for God is with His faithful servants in danger.
Witness to Kings and Peoples
When God brought His servant before a ruler, his living answer from the den helped bring the king and his people light and led the monarch to proclaim the supremacy of Daniel's God. This took place under Darius the Mede in the early establishment of the Medo-Persian empire, during his two years of reign after the fall of Babylon, when Daniel had been made first of three presidents over one hundred and twenty princes because an excellent spirit was in him. After Daniel came out unharmed from a night in the lions' den, Darius decreed to all peoples that men should tremble before the God of Daniel as the living and everlasting God whose kingdom shall not be destroyed, who delivers and works signs in heaven and earth. His deliverance demonstrated to the nation that Jehovah is living and able to save those who trust Him, and that no earthly ruler has the right to interfere with a person's relation to God or take God's place as the one to honor and obey.
His faithful prayer despite the decree against asking any God or man except the king brought rulers' attention to his faith and gave opportunity to show that the God of heaven alone is the true and living God worthy of worship and praise, with deliverance from the lions providing further evidence. His steadfastness when obedience to the king's demand would have meant surrendering principle even at the risk of death was vindicated by God and helped spread knowledge of the true God throughout Babylon. Though cast there for firm adherence to principle and loyalty to God, he triumphed in the end and God was glorified through him. While the loyal exiles were seeking the Lord and studying the prophecies of their deliverance, God was preparing the hearts of kings to show favor to His repentant people.
Through the courage of one man who chose to follow right rather than policy, the wrath of man praised God, Satan was defeated, and the name of God was exalted and honored. His words spoken in the king's court after God spread His shield over him in the den were a confession of faith in the Lord God of heaven. He valued the favor of God above the favor and praise of princes and refused to bow to any earthly mandate detracting from God's honor. Because of that faithful integrity and determination to honor God above every human power, the Lord God of hosts, whose power is over all heaven and earth, loved him and signally honored him before men.
Trust and End-Time Application
Though utterly helpless in himself against enemies in the high places of the kingdom, he trusted the word of God and withstood the power of the whole world. His stand witnesses to the power of God's word against human power and policy in support of evil, and places him in the world's true nobility and royal line that the youth of today are called to join. His example shows that faith reaches beyond what is seen and holds to eternal things. A heart fixed on God remains true through affliction and discouragement, the same in the den as in brighter circumstances before the king, unchanged in character under danger and hardship.
When trial comes in the course of duty in the king's court, God will surely protect those who are in the way of duty. Choosing association with the servants of Satan and conformity to worldly customs that make sin appear less repulsive places one under temptation and will lead to falling sooner or later. God's followers may suffer persecution and affliction for faith because they would not give up allegiance to God. Yet His tenderness and compassion do not forget His own in prison, for Jesus was with him there and kept him unharmed, giving reason to trust when suffering for no crime except seeking to make men kind and obedient, truthful and loyal.
As God did not forget him in the den but kept him alive to speak to the king, so the same keeping belongs to God's people in the final trying hour. Then protection is withdrawn and they are bound in chains, shut in prison, sentenced to be slain, with no human ear or hand to help. Dungeon walls cannot cut off communication between their souls and Christ, who sees every weakness and trial and is above all earthly powers, and angels come to them in lonely cells bringing light and peace from heaven so the prison becomes as a palace lit with heavenly light.
He was kept alive after the den because God works for all who stand firm to principle, and he kept strict integrity and exalted God above all. He refused to accommodate circumstances or lower the standard to meet the people, praying openly in his tent to show from whence came his strength though a gaping den was open before him, and he would lose his life rather than dishonor God in any way. Because he did not yield on praying openly, God let His blessing rest upon him in remarkable degree and honored him. His course requires the same strict integrity in Sabbathkeeping now, and gives the test coming to all who will enter the city of God, whether they will keep God's commandments and His honor before them or serve the powers that be with a convenient faith.
He dared to stand alone in Jesus Christ, and that standing is open to all. Everyone who will dare to be a Daniel can obtain the blessed experience of being a channel through which God imparts grace, having the treasure of God's love poured into the heart, being enriched while seeking to enrich poverty-stricken souls. Ministering angels wait to communicate heavenly treasures through them, and they reach the highest mental and moral development by cooperating with Jesus Christ, learning His methods, accepting His Holy Spirit, and laboring together with Him. His life shows how truth binds youth to the throne of God and gives strength from heaven to confess allegiance without turning aside from integrity, for he valued God's favor above princes and refused to bow to any earthly mandate detracting from God's honor, and the Lord loved him and signally honored him before men. Youth today should follow him by not being ashamed of their colors but displaying them in words, habits, and practices, making a telling confession of faith and letting Christ occupy the throne in the soul temple. As he prayed in the morning and at noon and angels protected him in the emergency when cast into the den for praying, husbands and wives are to unite to pray in the morning and at noon so angels will protect them in preparation for what is coming upon the world.