So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
After Darius the Median took the throne formerly held by the Babylonian rulers, early in the establishment of the Medo-Persian empire Daniel served as first of three presidents over one hundred twenty princes so the king would suffer no damage. He was preferred above the presidents and princes because an excellent spirit was in him, and the king intended to set him over the whole realm. Darius reigned over Medo-Persia for two years after the fall of Babylon. The honors that set Daniel above the leading men of the kingdom stirred their jealousy, so they searched for a charge against him. His conduct was blameless and faithful, and they could find no occasion of complaint, error, or fault except in his obedience to the law of his God.
His faithfulness meant kneeling in prayer with hands raised toward an open window. His character did not change with circumstances. He was as faithful in the lions' den as he had been in prosperity and high office, because a heart fixed on God remains steady through trial as faith grasps unseen and eternal realities. So Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian, both because of his faithfulness and because God was preparing the hearts of kings to show favor to His repentant people. At the same time those who had remained loyal in Babylon were seeking the Lord and studying the prophecies foretelling their deliverance.
During that reign Daniel was cast into the lions' den and came out unharmed, and the wicked opposition against him was completely broken. His deliverance led Darius to decree to all peoples, nations, and languages in all the earth that men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel as the living and steadfast God whose kingdom shall not be destroyed and whose dominion is even unto the end, who delivers and rescues and works signs and wonders in heaven and in earth. Through close association with Daniel, these heathen monarchs were compelled to acknowledge his God as the living and everlasting God whose kingdom shall never be destroyed.
After Darius the Median took the throne formerly held by the Babylonian rulers, early in the establishment of the Medo-Persian empire Daniel served as first of three presidents over one hundred twenty princes so the king would suffer no damage. He was preferred above the presidents and princes because an excellent spirit was in him, and the king intended to set him over the whole realm. Darius reigned over Medo-Persia for two years after the fall of Babylon. The honors that set Daniel above the leading men of the kingdom stirred their jealousy, so they searched for a charge against him. His conduct was blameless and faithful, and they could find no occasion of complaint, error, or fault except in his obedience to the law of his God.
His faithfulness meant kneeling in prayer with hands raised toward an open window. His character did not change with circumstances. He was as faithful in the lions' den as he had been in prosperity and high office, because a heart fixed on God remains steady through trial as faith grasps unseen and eternal realities. So Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian, both because of his faithfulness and because God was preparing the hearts of kings to show favor to His repentant people. At the same time those who had remained loyal in Babylon were seeking the Lord and studying the prophecies foretelling their deliverance.
During that reign Daniel was cast into the lions' den and came out unharmed, and the wicked opposition against him was completely broken. His deliverance led Darius to decree to all peoples, nations, and languages in all the earth that men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel as the living and steadfast God whose kingdom shall not be destroyed and whose dominion is even unto the end, who delivers and rescues and works signs and wonders in heaven and in earth. Through close association with Daniel, these heathen monarchs were compelled to acknowledge his God as the living and everlasting God whose kingdom shall never be destroyed.