Babylon 586 BC, Media-Persia 539 BC, Greece 331 BC, Independence 146 BC, Rome 63 BC
Daniel's adversaries propose a law. For thirty days, no leadership in the kingdom shall pray to God or man except for the king. A person found breaking the law is thrown into a den of lions. This helps the Babylonians unify with the new Persian leadership. The leaders bypass Daniel, appeal to the Darius' pride while hiding their true intentions. According to the customs of the Meads and Persians, once a law is signed, it cannot be altered.
All the presidents of the kingdom, governors, princes, counsellors, and 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 you, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. 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 cannot be altered (Daniel 6:7, 8)
Daniel knew the law was signed. As part of Daniel's faith, he consistently prayed three times a day. He had a choice to obey man or obey God who has authority over man. He prayed and gave thanks in his house with the window open as he faced Jerusalem. He trusted that the God of Israel who has been faithful sixty-six years in captivity would protect him from his adversaries.
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 prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime (Daniel 6:10).
Daniel's adversaries had other plans. They caught Daniel praying and immediately went to Darius. You signed a law that says no one would pray to any God or man for thirty day or be cast into a den of lions. Daniel of Judah does not respect you or the law but prays three times a day. When the king heard their accusation, he was upset because he was deceived into passing the law and was concerned with delivering Daniel. The rulers reminded the king that the law cannot be changed.
Then they answered and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regards you not, O king, nor the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day. Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him (Daniel 6:13, 14).
Darius commanded that Daniel be put in the lions' den. He told Daniel that his God who he serves will deliver him. While Daniel was in the lions' den, the king was in the palace having a long night without sleep and food. Early in the morning, the king went to the den of lions. Daniel, servant of the living God, is your God able to deliver you from the lions? My God has sent angles to shut the mouths of lions. God has found me incident before Him and before the king. Darius commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the lions' den.
Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spoke and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom you serve continually, he will deliver you.
Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: and his sleep went from him. Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste to the den of lions. And when he came to the den, he cried with a mournful voice unto Daniel: and the king spoke and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is your God, whom you serve continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?
My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocence was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt (Daniel 6:16, 18-19, 20, 22).