Daniel in the Lions' Den
Daniel 6:1-28
His enemies made prayer illegal. He opened his window and prayed anyway.
Daniel has risen to the top of the Persian government under King Darius. His rivals, jealous and desperate, realize the only way to bring him down is through his faith. They trick Darius into signing a law: anyone who prays to any god or human except the king for thirty days will be thrown to the lions. Daniel hears about the decree. He goes home, opens his window toward Jerusalem — as he always has — and prays three times a day. He's arrested. Darius is devastated but can't reverse his own law. Daniel is thrown into the den. A stone is sealed over it. The king spends a sleepless night. At dawn he rushes to the den and calls out: Daniel, has your God been able to rescue you? A voice answers from the darkness.
- Faithfulness
- Courage
- Deliverance
- Persecution
Daniel in the Lions' Den: common questions
Why was Daniel thrown into the lions' den?
Jealous officials could find no fault in Daniel, so they tricked King Darius into signing a law that no one could pray to any god or man except the king for thirty days (Daniel 6:4-9). Daniel kept praying toward Jerusalem three times a day as always, and they used it to accuse him.
How did Daniel survive the lions' den?
Daniel 6:22 says God sent an angel who shut the mouths of the lions. When the sealed den was opened at dawn, Daniel was unharmed 'because he had trusted in his God' (6:23).
What happened to Daniel's accusers?
King Darius ordered the men who had accused Daniel to be thrown into the den, along with their families, and the lions overpowered them before they reached the floor (Daniel 6:24). Darius then decreed that everyone should fear the God of Daniel.
