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The Book of Daniel Chapter Ten

Verses 1 to 5:

“6:1 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred

and twenty princes, which should be over the whole
kingdom; 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. 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. 4 Then the presidents and princes
sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the
kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault;
forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or
fault found in him. 5 Then said these men, We shall not find
any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against
him concerning the law of his God.”

Facts about the above verses:

1. Babylon was taken by the Persians, and Darius the

Median was placed upon the throne in 538 B.C. When Darius
died two years later, Cyrus of Persia took the throne.

2. Daniel received a promotion from being the third in

the kingdom of Babylon (Daniel 5) to being the first among
the three presidents and princes because “an excellent spirit
was in him” and the king wanted “to set him over the whole
realm”. This is fascinating considering that Daniel was a
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Jewish captive living in the Babylonian kingdom that had just

been overthrown by Medo-Persia.

3. Somewhere, therefore, between these two dates the

event had occurred which is narrated in this chapter.

4. Daniel had been known in 4:8 as having the “spirit of

the holy gods,” and in 5:12 the queen mother told Belshazzar
that Daniel had an “excellent spirit.”

5. God was using Daniel to represent Him in a land of

idolaters. Why Daniel was chosen was due to his faithfulness
in the little things which gave complexion to his whole life.
He honoured God in small things allowing the Lord to co-
operate with him.

6. This is a lesson about faithfulness to all of us.

7. God’s end time people will face a similar situation as

Daniel did. Enemies of God will find no fault in His people
unless it goes against God’s law thus a decree will be passed
forcing His people to choose between worshipping on God’s
Holy Sabbath Day or Sunday, a day designed and set aside
for worship by man. All faithful, at that time, will face a
modern day lion’s den.

8. Daniel, now in his mid-eighties preformed duties

without errors or faults, trusting in God fully to the point that
he valued his relationship with his Lord more than life itself.

9. Daniel was an active leader in the kingdom of Babylon

at the height of its glory.
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10. Daniel was, up until the Medes and Persians took the
throne, well acquainted with all the affairs of the city.

11. Despite Daniel’s dealings with the city, the only

accounts he talks about are ones that would inspire faith,
hope, and courage in the hearts of God’s people through all
time.

12. The event narrated in this chapter is alluded to in

Hebrews 11, where we read of those who through faith
“stopped the mouths of lions.” (33 Who through faith
subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained
promises, stopped the mouths of lions.)

13. The one hundred and twenty princes, it is supposed,

were set over the one hundred and twenty provinces of the
kingdom, each having its own governor. This later was
expanded to one hundred and twenty-seven provinces
through conquests which can be found in Esther 1:1 “1 Now
it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus
which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an
hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)”.

14. Over these princes were set three presidents, and of

these Daniel was chief. Daniel had certainly excelled in his
position because of his excellent spirit and fidelity.

15. Being a member of an enemy territory, Darius could

have easily put Daniel away, however since King Darius saw
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in him an excellent spirit, the king thought to set him over

the whole realm.

16. Daniel strictly adhered to the law of His God. Never

was he found in a Babylonian temple nor did he partake in
any heathen religious ceremonies. Obviously they noticed his
absence from the office on the Sabbath. They surely
reasoned that his time in prayer interfered with his time in
office and it is this observation they used to plot against him.

17. It was in envy that the other rulers rose against him
looking to destroy him. The only thing, though, they could
find to accuse him on was the law of his God.

Verses 6 to 10:

“6 Then these presidents and princes assembled together to

the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.
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All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the
princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted
together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm
decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or
man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into
the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign
the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of
the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. 9 Wherefore king
Darius signed the writing and the decree. 10 Now when
Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his
house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward
Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and
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prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did

aforetime.”

Facts about the above verses:

1. The presidents and princes came onto the king as if it

was an urgent matter that pressed upon their hearts; of
course it was just a deception.

2. The decree they offered was to increase honour to the

king by having all worship only him and none else for thirty
days unless be punished.

3. The law “be not changed” is referring to the

irrevocable law of the Medes and Persians (Esther 1:19 “19 If it
please the king, let there go a royal commandment from
him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and
the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more
before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate
unto another that is better than she.”; 8:8 “8 Write ye also for
the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with
the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's
name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse.”).

4. There are many cases in history where King Darius II

sentenced subjects to death before blaming himself for
greatly erring in judgment, however due to his irrevocable
laws, his sentence could not be undone.
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5. Their plan of exaltation toward the king was simply a

disguise to attack Daniel through his faith. Cunning and evil
as it was.

6. This part of the book of Daniel was penned at a time

when the Persians were in more control than the Medes.

7. If they had devised the ruse to say no petition should

be asked of the God of the Hebrews the king surely would
have not signed the decree. To get around that they were
willing to insult their own religion and all their multitude of
gods in an effort to get back at Daniel. By keeping the
decree general, the king failed to realize the set up.

8. Daniel knew the conspiracy was formed against him,

still he made no effort to thwart it. He simply remained
faithful to his Lord praying routinely as he always did. He did
not hide or alter his routine in any way. He had full trust in
God.

9. Like many in the village, Daniel’s house likely had a

flat roof. Usually on one corner there was an apartment
raised above the flat roof with latticed windows for
ventilation. These rooms were perfect for seclusion.

10. The windows Daniel opened faced Jerusalem, the city

he left as a boy and probably never saw again.

11. On the custom of turning in prayer toward Jerusalem

see 1 Kings 8:33, 35 “33 When thy people Israel be smitten
down before the enemy, because they have sinned against
thee, and shall turn again to thee, and confess thy name, and
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pray, and make supplication unto thee in this house: 35 When

heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have
sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and
confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou
afflictest them:” and Psalms 5:7 “7 But as for me, I will come
into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear
will I worship toward thy holy temple.” And Psalms 28:2
“2 Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee,
when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.”

12. Postures for prayer vary, Servants of God, like David

sat in 2 Sam 7:18. Eliezer bowed in Gen 24:26 and Elijah in 1
Kings 18:42. Many stood like Hannah in 1 Sam 1:26. The
most common position, however, it seems was kneeling like
Daniel did in these passages. Here are some other examples:
Ezra in Ezra 9:5, Jesus in Luke 22:41, and Stephen in Acts 7:60

13. Praying three times a day was a Jewish tradition which

took place at the third, sixth, and ninth hour starting from
sunrise.

14. The third and ninth hour corresponded to the

morning and evening sacrifices.

15. The psalmist followed the same practice in Psalm

55:17 “17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and
cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.”

16. Three daily prayers became a fixed custom with every

orthodox Jew living according to rabbinical regulations.
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17. The custom of the three daily times of prayer seems

to have also been adopted into the early Christian church.

18. Some wonder why Daniel didn’t pray in secret. We

must remember Daniel was God’s ambassador in a heathen
realm. He relied on God in all things. Bravely, and with strong
trust in his God he continued to pray, as he always did, with
his windows open to Jerusalem.

19. We expect to face persecution in the last days. Only if

we are faithful and true to our God now will we be able to
continue to serve Him during tribulation after all “25 For
whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will
lose his life for my sake shall find it.” (Matthew 16:25) God’s
people will not be looking to save themselves from death,
but ensure that His name is honoured before the modern
kingdoms of this world.

Verses 11 to 17:

“ 11 Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying

and making supplication before his God. 12 Then they came
near, and spake before the king concerning the king's
decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that
shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save
of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king
answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of
the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. 13 Then
answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is
of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee,
O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his
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petition three times a day. 14 Then the king, when he heard

these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his
heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going
down of the sun to deliver him. 15 Then these men assembled
unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the
law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute
which the king establisheth may be changed. 16 Then the
king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him
into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto
Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will
deliver thee. 17 And a stone was brought, and laid upon the
mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet,
and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not
be changed concerning Daniel.”

Facts about the above verses:

1. As predicted the priests caught Daniel praying as he

always did. Their scheme worked.

2. As soon as the princes reported Daniel being sighted

in prayer the king realized it was a deliberate set up to frame
the prophet.

3. The king, despite his best efforts could find no legal

loophole with which to deliver him.

4. The political enemies saw the king was fighting for a

way to preserve Daniel and reminded him that his law was
unchangeable.
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5. King Darius in verse 16 said “Thy God whom thou

servest continually, he will deliver thee.” Daniel’s faith was so
strong that it produced faith in King Darius, who believed
that God would deliver the prophet because he served Him
“continually”.

6. Even in a crisis Daniel didn’t change how he served his

God.

7. We should do the same, despite the crisis we should

be serving God continually.

8. Having to hold to his own decree King Darius was

forced to throw Daniel into the lion’s den despite not
wanting to sacrifice one of his best and most loyal servants.

9. By sealing the lion’s den it ensured that Daniel could

be killed no other way, which to the king meant none who
plotted to destroy Daniel could interfere, but also the seal
reassured Daniel’s enemies that no attempt could be made
to rescue Daniel. All the king could hope for now was that
Daniel’s God would deliver him from the lion’s mouth.

10. Sealed Egyptian tombs may offer a clue as to the

procedure. After the door is sealed the final time. It was
plastered over and seals were pressed or rolled all over it
into the wet plaster.
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Verses 18 to 24:

“18 Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night
fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before
him: and his sleep went from him. 19 Then the king arose very
early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.
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And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable
voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O
Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou
servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?
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Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. 22 My
God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths,
that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him
innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king,
have I done no hurt. 23 Then was the king exceedingly glad
for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up
out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and
no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed
in his God. 24 And the king commanded, and they brought
those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them
into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives;
and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their
bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.”

Facts about the above verses:

1. Punishing the prophet had troubled King Darius

terribly.
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2. King Darius felt responsible enough for Daniel’s

sentence that he couldn’t sleep. He couldn’t believe he was
tricked into trying to dispose of his most faithful servant.

3. When the king checked on Daniel, the prophet

addressed him respectively, and reassured him that God’s
angel had shut the mouth of the lions so that he was unhurt.
Yet another miracle from God.

4. Daniel lifted no petition on his own behalf for self

preservation. It was God who found innocence within him
and preserved him for it.

5. Daniel’s faith in the Lord had preserved him.

6. Why were Daniel’s accusers thrown in? The theory is

that the king wanted to disprove any suspicions surrounding
the belief that the lions just so happened to not be hungry.
“In that case they will no more attack you than him, so we’ll
test the matter by putting you in.”

7. When not restrained by divine intervention the

accusers were torn to pieces before they hit bottom. Daniel
was vindicated and Solomon’s words fulfilled: “The righteous
is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his
stead.” Proverbs 11:8.

8. The condemning the wives and children to death was

in accordance with Persian custom.
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Verses 25 to 28:

“25 Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and
languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied
unto you. 26 I make a decree, That in every dominion of my
kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for
he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom
that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be
even unto the end. 27 He delivereth and rescueth, and he
worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath
delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. 28 So this Daniel
prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus
the Persian.”

Facts about the above verses:

1. The news of Daniel being delivered from the lion’s

den was sent throughout the realm in favour of glorifying
the true God of Israel.

2. The plot designed to destroy Daniel led only to his

advancement.

3. From this experience and from that of the fiery

furnace we can learn that by refusing to commit any sin and
not omitting any known duty will lead to favour in the sight
of the Lord. We can all be encouraged by this.

4. God is superior. Here He proves this by delivering

Daniel despite the plot against him. This is why we need to
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learn to trust God Almighty just as Daniel had done. He

rescues His faithful and is always working miracles.

5. By saving Daniel from the mouth of the lions God

proved to the whole realm, and all faithful to follow of His
miracle working power.

6. Darius showed he understood what God wanted

Nebuchadnezzar to understand, that God sets up and
removes kingdoms. As Daniel said in 2:44 He shall “set up a
kingdom, which shall never be destroyed.”

7. Daniel’s faithfulness throughout his life led

Nebuchadnezzar, in chapter 4, and King Darius, in chapter 6,
to glorify the true God of heaven and earth.

8. Let us learn the importance of living by example just

as Daniel has done. Not too many things convert hearts as
effectively as outsiders witnessing the peace, joy, and love
surrounding a true Christian.

9. This closes the historical part of the book of Daniel.