Chapter 10: The Lion's Den

Daniel went home to his upper room facing toward Jerusalem. He knelt, as he always did, and gave thanks to his God.

The officials were watching and found him praying. Then they went straight to the king.

OFFICIAL“Did you not sign a decree, O king? Anyone who prays to any god or man except you shall be thrown into the den of lions.”

Darius answered, "The decree stands. It cannot be changed."

"Then know this — Daniel, one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you or your decree. He prays three times a day to his God."

The king's heart sank. He realized he had been trapped. He worked until sunset, searching for any way to save Daniel. But the law of the Medes and Persians could not be undone.

Daniel was brought to the den of lions. A stone was placed over the opening. The king sealed it with his own ring.

DARIUS“May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you.”— Daniel 6:16

That night, the king returned to his palace. He refused food. He refused entertainment. Sleep would not come. He lay in the darkness, waiting for dawn.

At first light, he rushed to the den and cried out.

DARIUS“Daniel, servant of the living God — has your God been able to save you from the lions?”— Daniel 6:20

From the darkness came a voice.

DANIEL“O king, live forever. My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions. I have been found innocent before Him — and I have done no wrong to you.”— Daniel 6:21-22

The king was overjoyed. Daniel was lifted out of the den. There was not a scratch on him.

Then Darius gave another order. The men who had accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the den — and the lions overpowered them before they reached the ground.

Darius issued a decree to every nation under his rule:

DARIUS“I command that everyone must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. He is the living God. His kingdom will never be destroyed. He rescues and saves. He performs signs and wonders in heaven and on earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”— Daniel 6:26-27

Daniel, now an old man, looked toward the west — toward Jerusalem, the city he had never seen again. The temple where his people had worshiped God had been destroyed by Babylon years after he was taken. He had kept faith through exile, through fire and through lions, through kings and kingdoms rising and falling.

And Daniel prospered through the reign of Darius and into the reign of Cyrus the Persian. Before Daniel died, Cyrus issued a decree — the Jewish people could return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. The exile was ending. Daniel's prayers had been answered.