KING DARIUS' DECREE
It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, (2) with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss. (3) Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. (4) At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. (5) Finally these men said, "We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God."
(6) So the administrators and the satraps went as a group to the king and said: "O King Darius, live forever! (7) The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or man during the next thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the lions' den. (8) Now, O king, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered--in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed." (9) So King Darius put the decree in writing.
(10) Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. (11) Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. (12) So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: "Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or man except to you, O king, would be thrown into the lions' den?"
The king answered, "The decree stands--in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed."
(13) Then they said to the king, "Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day." (14) When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.
(15) Then the men went as a group to the king and said to him, "Remember, O king, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed."
The king answered, "The decree stands--in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed."
(13) Then they said to the king, "Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day." (14) When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.
(15) Then the men went as a group to the king and said to him, "Remember, O king, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed."
LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE COMMENTARY
By this time, Daniel was in his 80's and was one of Darius's top three administrators. He had gained the respect of Darius by working more efficiently and more capably than all the rest. One of the best ways to influence non-Christians is to work diligently and responsibly. How well do you represent God to your employer and fellow employees?
Daniel made enemies at work by doing a good job. The jealous officials couldn't find anything about Daniel's life to criticize, so they attacked his religion. If you face jealous critics because of your faith, be glad they're criticizing that part of your life--perhaps they had to focus on your religion as a last resort! Respond by continuing to believe and live as you should. Then remember that God is in control, fighting this battle for you.
Daniel stood alone. Although he knew about the law against praying to anyone except the king, he continued to pray three times a day as he always had. Hiding his daily prayers would have been futile because surely the conspirators would have caught him at something else during the month. Also, hiding would have demonstrated that he was afraid of the other government officials. Daniel continued to pray because he could not look to the king for the guidance and strength that he needed during this difficult time. Only God could provide what he really needed.
MY THOUGHTS
The last time the Hebrews were in a difficult situation, Daniel was absent. This time, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are not mentioned. The Holy Bible is really a Book about Jesus, so we do not always get all the details to fill in the blanks. We also know that satraps appointed by the king were normally members of the royal family or Persian nobility, and held their position indefinitely. We know that there were three administrators over the satraps, including Daniel, who was a foreigner.
All of his life, as we understand it, Daniel had been faithful to his God. How many people do you know who pray three times a day? How many do you know who reads The Bible every day? every week? every month? regularly? at all? How does one have a relationship with anyone if they never hear from them?
It is my purpose for this blog to give you a chance to understand my God and have a close relationship with Him......"If not Him, who?" If you have never accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, please visit our "Path to Salvation" page by clicking here: https://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/p/path-to-salvation.html.. Please do not wait. No one is promised tomorrow.
What are your thoughts? You are welcome to leave a comment.
You are also invited to visit with Oma at http://omaspolitics.blospot.com and http://omaslife.blogspot.com.
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