Daniel 6:3
Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.
When Darius the Mede took the kingdom after Babylon fell he set one hundred twenty princes under three presidents with Daniel made first, and Daniel was preferred above them all because an excellent spirit was in him, so that the king intended to set him over the whole realm. That excellent spirit meant he was true as steel to principle, full of reverence and zeal for God, full of purpose and industry, and one who would not fail nor be discouraged. His conduct was blameless with no error or fault to be found, so his watchful enemies could find no ground of accusation against him except his faithfulness to the law of his God. His promotion and prospect of highest authority excited the jealousy and envy of the leading men, stirred by the fallen angels who feared his influence, and when close watching found nothing they turned his very faithfulness into their plot against him. His life shows that service among worldlings and schemers in wicked courts need not pervert faith or principle, for the same grace given to him is given to all who make God first and last and best in everything.
Historical Setting and Promotion
When Darius the Median took the throne formerly held by Babylonian rulers, early in the establishment of the Medo-Persian empire, he at once reorganized the government by placing one hundred and twenty princes under three presidents with Daniel made first, so that accounts would be given and the king would suffer no loss. This occurred in the first year of Darius the Mede, the same year as Daniel's prayer for the restoration of the captive exiles recorded in Daniel 9. Darius was favored of heaven, with Gabriel sent in his first year to confirm and strengthen him. He reigned two years after the fall of Babylon, and during that reign Daniel was cast into the lions' den and came out unharmed.
Daniel was preferred and elevated above the other presidents and princes because an excellent spirit was in him, and the king favored him and intended to set him over the whole realm or kingdom. His advancement above the other officials came because of that exceptional inner quality, with honors given him and the prospect of being placed in charge of the entire realm. That excellent spirit meant he was true as steel to principle, full of reverence and zeal for God, full of purpose, industry and toil, and one who would not fail nor be discouraged.
Faithfulness Provokes Opposition
Daniel was lifted above the other presidents and princes because an excellent spirit was in him, and the king favored him and purposed to set him over the whole realm. His conduct was blameless and faithful, with no error or fault to be found in him, so his enemies could find no ground for accusation against him except his faithfulness to the law of his God. Those honors and that promotion, with the prospect of rule over the entire kingdom, aroused the jealousy and envy of the leading men of the kingdom.
His high command gave him influence over the rulers of the kingdom, and the fallen angels feared that influence would weaken their control. The accusing host of evil angels therefore stirred the presidents and princes to envy and jealousy against him and set them to watch him closely for some fault to report to the king. When the watchers found nothing to allege, they turned his very faithfulness to God into the basis of a plot against him.
Daniel's pure and holy life made a strong impression on the king. His being made first of the three presidents set over the 120 princes came early in the establishment of the Medo-Persian empire, in the first year of Darius the Mede, the same year as his prayer for the restoration of the captive exiles. Darius was favored of heaven, with Gabriel sent in his first year to confirm and strengthen him, and he reigned two years after the fall of Babylon, during which reign Daniel was cast into the lions' den and came out unharmed. This exaltation was God preparing the hearts of kings to show favor to His repentant people while the loyal in Babylon were seeking the Lord and studying the prophecies foretelling their deliverance.
Example for Believers Today
Daniel stood as a noble statesman among worldlings and schemers, a bright light from heaven shining amid the moral darkness of wicked courts. His public work among people outside his faith and his connection with outside parties did not pervert his faith or principles nor compromise his religious integrity. His course proves that work requiring association with worldly people need not harm spiritual integrity or bring one under the world's influence, for the same grace given to Daniel is given to such workers.
His exceptional ability, his excellence in his high and exalted position, and his advancement to authority came through an excellent spirit and reliance on God for wisdom. A young physician may likewise become highly effective in his calling and as efficient in his work as Daniel was in his exalted position, through divine grace and power. Such dependence enables service with wisdom and efficiency comparable to Daniel's, bringing greater skill, confidence, and precision than scientific knowledge alone can give.
Though as weak and helpless in himself as any other worker, Daniel put his whole dependence in God, and his wealth was mind and soul culture gained by making God first and last and best in everything. Even those destitute of wisdom, knowledge, virtue, and power may therefore learn from Christ the lessons Daniel learned. His excellent spirit and faithful conduct distinguished him above the other officials, so that Darius considered placing him over the whole kingdom, and his pure and holy life made a strong impression on the king. When Christianity rules the heart it is seen in the character, others recognize that the person has been with Jesus, and his life illustrates the need to give God undivided affection.