What happensPermalink
Jealous officials persuade Darius the Mede to forbid petitions to any god or person except the king for thirty days, knowing Daniel’s devotion to God. Daniel continues praying toward Jerusalem three times daily. Unable to revoke his decree, Darius reluctantly casts Daniel into the lions’ den. God sends an angel to shut the lions’ mouths, and Daniel emerges unharmed. Darius orders the execution of Daniel’s accusers and their families, then commands his subjects to fear Daniel’s living God.
Why it mattersPermalink
Daniel’s integrity gives his enemies no charge against him except his allegiance to God. His response to danger grows from a settled habit of prayer. Praying toward Jerusalem recalls Solomon’s prayer for exiles (1 Kings 8:46–50) and anticipates chapter 9. As in chapter 3, a royal death sentence cannot place God’s servants beyond His reach; the ruler himself must acknowledge God’s enduring kingdom.
Key versePermalink
Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.