The edict of Darius
The Prominence of Daniel
Critics have long questioned the historicity of Daniel. They challenge Daniel’s reference to the accession of Darius (Dan. 6:1, 6:28; 9:1; called Darius the Mede in Dan. 5:31) because there is no historical evidence outside the Bible for his reign. However, several explanations are possible: (1) Darius may have been another name for Cyrus. Dan_6:28 may be translated, So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius, even the reign of Cyrus the Persian. It was common for ancient rulers to use different names in various parts of their realms. Thus Darius may have been a localized name for Cyrus. (This is the view of D.J. Wiseman, Some Historical Problems in the Book of Daniel, in Notes on Some Problems in the Book of Daniel, pp. 12-14.)
(2) A second explanation is that Darius was appointed by Cyrus to rule over Babylon, a comparatively small portion of the vast Medo-Persian Empire. According to Dan. 9:1 Darius was made ruler over the Babylonian Kingdom. This suggests that he ruled by appointment, rather than by conquest and thus would have been subordinate to Cyrus, who appointed him. The historical situation leading to this appointment, based on the Nabonidus Chronicle, was that Babylon was conquered by Ugbaru, governor of Gutium, who entered the city of Babylon the night of Belshazzar’s feast. After Ugbaru conquered Babylon on October 12, 539 b.c., Cyrus entered the conquered city on October 29 of that same year. Ugbaru was then appointed by Cyrus to rule on his behalf in Babylon. Eight days after Cyrus’ arrival Nov. 6 Ugbaru died. If Darius the Mede is another name for Ugbaru, as is entirely possible, the problem is solved. Since Darius was 62 years old when he took over Babylon Dan. 5:31, his death a few weeks later would not be unusual. According to this view presented by William H. Shea, Darius the Mede: An Update, Andrews University Seminary Studies 20. Autumn 1982, pp. 229-47), Gubaru is another spelling for Ugbaru, with the name Gobryas being a Greek form of the same name and appearing in Xenophon’s Cyropaedia 4. 6. 1-9; 7. 5. 7-34.
(3) A third explanation is that Ugbaru, governor of Gutium, conquered Babylon, and that Gubaru, alias Darius, was the man Cyrus appointed to rule over Babylon. This is the view of John C. Whitcomb, Jr., Darius the Mede. Nutley, N.J.: Presbyterian & Reformed Publishing Co., 1974.)
(4) Still others suggest Darius the Mede should be identified with Cambyses, Cyrus’ son, who ruled Persia 530-522 b.c. This view is held by Charles Boutflower, In and Around the Book of Daniel. Reprint. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publishing Co., 1977, pp. 142-55.) Any of these four views may be correct, but perhaps the second one is preferable.
One of Darius’ first responsibilities was to reorganize the newly conquered kingdom of Babylon. He appointed 120 satraps cf. Dan. 3:2 to rule over the kingdom of Babylon and put them under three administrators… one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were responsible to the three administrators (perhaps 40 satraps to each administrator) so that the king was greatly aided in his administrative responsibilities. Daniel was an exceptional administrator, partly because of his extensive experience under Nebuchadnezzar Dan. 2:48 for about 39 years. So, the king planned to make Daniel responsible for the administration of the entire kingdom. This of course created friction between Daniel and the other administrators and 120 satraps.
The Plot of the Leaders
The two administrators and 120 satraps sought some basis on which to accuse Daniel in his administrative work. They were probably jealous of his position and resented him because he was a Judean Dan. 3:12). But they found that Daniel was not corrupt; he was trustworthy and diligent in discharging his responsibilities. They decided that they would have to find some basis for accusation in his religious practices, which obviously were well known to them.
So, the 122 leaders devised a plot. Daniel was certainly outnumbered! They suggested to King Darius that he, the king, be made the sole object of worship for 30 days. Either the 122 got others to agree to the plan (including prefects… advisers, and governors) or the 122 merely said the others agreed. Saying that they all agreed Dan. 6:7 was wrong for they certainly had not discussed this with Daniel. All prayer was to be addressed to the king in recognition of his power in the religious realm. The penalty for rebelling against his religious authority was to be death by being thrown into a den of lions. Darius, no doubt flattered by the adulation he would receive, consented to the plot and signed it into law, which according to Medo-Persian custom was irrevocable.
The Prayer of Daniel
The decree signed into law by Darius became public knowledge. But Daniel, knowing of the decree, followed his customary practice just as he had done before of going to his own upstairs room.… three times each day to pray to… God cf. Psm. 55:17. He prayed toward Jerusalem cf. Psm. 5:7; 2Chr. 6:21, 6:34, 6:38.
Daniel’s prayer was first a prayer of thanksgiving Dan. 6:10 as he acknowledged God’s goodness's to him. His prayer was also a prayer for guidance and help Dan. 6:11. Doubtless the responsibility of high office rested heavily on Daniel, and he sought God’s wisdom in the decisions he had to make. Daniel was more than 80 years old at this time 539 b.c.; he was about 16 when he was taken captive 66 years earlier 605 b.c.. So because of his years he may have also sought God for physical strength to carry on his heavy duties. Daniel made no attempt to hide his devotion to or his dependence on God, even though it now meant disobeying a governmental decree cf. Acts 5:29. Daniel would not and could not look to Darius for the guidance and strength he knew God alone could supply. Apparently, his opponents knew where and when he prayed, so they went lit., rushed to his room at the time and, as expected, found him praying.
The Prosecution of Daniel
Accusation was soon made against Daniel by his opponents before Darius who had issued the decree. Darius found himself bound by his own law; he said, the decree stands. Nebuchadnezzar the Babylonian was above law, whereas Darius the Mede was bound by law. This was intimated in the contrast between the gold and the silver in the image in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream Dan. 2:32, 2:39.
Hearing their accusation against Daniel, whom they derisively belittled as one of the exiles from Judah as Arioch and Belshazzar had done; cf. Dan. 2:25; 5:13, Darius was greatly distressed. Interestingly three kings in the Book of Daniel were distressed cf. Dan. 2:1; 3:13; 5:6, 5:9.
Though Darius knew he was bound by the law he had made; he sought some way to rescue Daniel from the penalty the law incurred. But finding it impossible to do so, he gave the order that Daniel be thrown into the lions’ den.
As he was thrown into what seemed to be certain death the king said… May your God, whom you serve continually cf. Dan. 6:20; 3:17, rescue you. Whether Darius knew about God’s deliverance of Daniel’s three friends from the fiery furnace in Nebuchadnezzar’s Day is not known. Yet Darius’ statement expressed a desire that Daniel be spared. He certainly wanted him spared, for he obviously appreciated his administrative abilities cf. Dan. 6:2-3. Perhaps he had been impressed with Daniel’s confidence in God.
So that Daniel could not escape from the lions’ den, a stone was… placed over the mouth of the den, which was then sealed with a royal seal. Besides the side opening to the den perhaps an underground cave there may have been an opening at the top cf. Dan. 6:23-24. The seal, an impression made in clay by an image on a ring, would inform others that the stone was not to be tampered with in an effort to free Daniel. Reluctantly the king confined Daniel to the den.
The king was deeply agitated that he had been tricked by his administrators and satraps and that he was subject to his own laws. So, he spent a sleepless night cf. Xerxes’ sleepless night, Est. 6:1.
The Preservation of Daniel
At dawn the king, after a sleepless night Dan. 6:18, hurried to the lions’ den. In anguish over probably finding Daniel consumed, Darius hoped against hope cf. Dan. 6:16 that the elderly statesman might have been rescued by God, whom he served cf. Dan. 3:17; 6:16.
Daniel replied that God had in fact kept him unharmed because of his flawless life Dan. 6:22 and because he… trusted in… God Dan. 6:23. God’s Angel, Daniel said, had kept the lions’ mouths shut. Perhaps this Angel, like the One in the fiery furnace with the three young men Dan. 3:25, was the preincarnate Christ.
Discovering that Daniel was still alive, Darius was overjoyed and had him lifted from the den Dan. 6:17. This experience illustrated for Darius the validity of faith in God and His power to control circumstances and deliver those who trust in Him. For 30 days Darius was addressed as God by the people in his realm cf. Dan. 6:7. But Daniel served the true God, who did what Darius could never do: shut the mouths of lions to protect one who depended on Him.
Then the king ordered that Daniel’s accusers and their families be thrown into the… den. The attempt by false accusation to exterminate this Jewish captive-turned executive boomeranged cf. Haman’s similar fate, Est. 7:9-10. The accusers had persuaded Darius to put in effect a decree that was intended to eliminate Daniel, but ironically, they could not dissuade the king from eliminating them!
The Pronouncement of the King
The one who by his decree was being revered for a month as god Dan. 6:7 now made a proclamation that all subjects of his nation all the peoples, nations, and men of every language; cf. Dan. 3:4, 3:7; 4:1; 5:19; 7:14 must fear and reverence Daniel’s God. This was an amazing turnaround on Darius’ part! The reason for this, Darius wrote, is that Daniel’s God lives He is the living God; cf. Dan. 6:20 whereas the gods of the Medes and Persians were dead idols. This God is eternal, His kingdom is indestructible cf. Dan. 7:14, and He intervenes in people’s affairs and delivers those who trust Him. He works by miraculous power signs and wonders; cf. Dan. 4:2-3 to perform His will, including the miraculous delivery of Daniel. Such a God is truly to be reverenced and worshiped. In spite of the opposition of the satraps and administrators, Daniel was honored and lived during the reigns of Darius and Cyrus.
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