Daniel 6

Darius having received the kingdome of Babel, intendeth to advance Daniel above his hundred and twenty Princes; ver.1, &c. who being possessed with envy at this, 5 move the King to make an idolatrous decree, that noman should in thirty daies put up a petition to any save to the King alone upon pain of being cast into the den of lions 8. Daniel transgressing this commandment is cast into the lions den, 11,12, &c. but is wonderfully preserved and delivered by God, 2,23, &c. his enemies being cast into the lions den are straightway devoured by the lions, 25. For which God is praised, 26.

1. Now Darius the Medium [Some add this verse to the end of the former chapter] Chald. Dariavelch. He is called the Mede, to distinguish him from Darius the Persian, of whom see Ezek. Chap.4. ver.5, and 24. [received the Kindom] or took, accepted, got, &c. to wit, (according to the opinion of many) from the hand of Cyrus; for when Cyrus, with the help of Darius his father in law, had taken the kingdome of Babylon, when he delivered it unto Darius, and he himself went to Persia to dispatch & manage, further, order his affairs there. But when Darius had governed the kingdome of Babel about full year, Cyrus took again the government of the kingdom of Babel himself. But of the opinion of others see on verse 1. and 30.] being about threescore and two years old. [Chald. a son of about threescore and two years]

2. (And) is seemed good unto Darius [See above chap.4. on ver.2.] to set over the kingdome an hundred and twenty Deputies, which should be over the whole kingdom. [to wit, to govern it wel, every one in his own province wherein he was set by the King]

3. And over them three Princes, [Or superior Princes, Presidents] of whom Daniel should be the first, [that is, the chiefest, as appeareth, ver.4. Others, whereof Daniel was one] to whom these Deputies themselves should give an account, that the King might suffer no damage.

4. Then this Daniel excelled those Princes and those Deputies, [Chald. then was Daniel excelling over the Presidents, and the Princes. Daniel excelled them all in wisdom, prudence, justice, temperance, and other vertues] because a more excellent spirit was in him: and the King sought to let him over the whole kingdome. [It seemeth that Darius being now old, and taking notice of teexcellent gifts wherewith Daniel was endued above all the rest of the princes, intended to make him chief governour over all the kingdome of Babel, which was the ground of their hatred against Daniel.]

5. Then the Princes and the Deputies [Out of envy, which is the mother of murder] sought to find opportunity [or cause, or occasion] against Daniel concerning the kingdom: [Chald. from the side of the kingdom; that is, in the administration that was imposed upon him by the king, they watched narrowly all his actions, his life and conversation, whether he offended in any thing: but this was invain, they could find nothing amiss in him, as is forthwith said] but they could find no oppprtunity, nor offence, [or fault, or corruption] forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any trespass [or errour, fault] or offence found in him.

6. Then said those men, we shall not find any opportunity against this Daniel, [So uprightly, deligently, prudently, faithfully, did he carry himself in his high office, that his very enemies had no hopes of finding ought against him that might have any shew of trespass] except we find (something) against him in the law of his God. [in the service of God, prescribed unto him in the law of God]

7. Then these Princes and the Deputies came with heaps [Others, with a tumult. And so here below ver.12,16. See the Annotat. Psal.2. on ver.1.] to the King, [to wit, when they thought they had found out a way to entrap Daniel in his religion] and said thus unto him, O King Darius live for ever.

8. All the Princes of the kingdome, the governours [or magistrates] and deputies, the counsellours, and Lietenants have consulted together to establish a royal ordinance, and to make a strong command, that whosever shall in thirty dates make a petition [Chald. shall desire a desire or petition] to any God or man save to thee, O King, he shall be cast into the den of lions. [the great ones in Darius his court are possessed with such envy against Daniel, that they lay all godliness and religion aside, that they might destroy Daniel; for this was properly their aim in this decree. They forbid those that are in need to call upon the true God: they also forbid the sick to seek unto the Physician for help, which was altogether against nature. Yet notwithstanding the King did signe this, ver.10, &c.]

9. Now O king, thou shalt establish a precept, and signe a writing which may not be changed, [Or that it may not ne changed] after the law of the Medes and Persians [or according to the law of the Medes, &c. Esth.1.19. and 8.8. These two nations are here joyned together, because they were as that time both of them together governed by Cyrus and Darius, according to the opinion of some. Others conceive that this was done as Susan a province of Persia, Dan.8.2. (though at that time subject to the Chaldeans) where the law of the Medes and Persians was kept] which may may not be revoked. [Chald. which passeth not, or goeth not by: that is, which is not altered. So below ver.13. Compare this phrase with Mat.24.35. and with Mark 13:31.]

10. Therefore [Or in this respect, or every manner of way] king Darius signed that writing and command. [the meaning is, the king scrupled not at it signe this decree, conceiving it to be an eveidence that they were so loyal unto him, that they would rather deny and forsake all their Gods then provoke him to anger]

11. Now when Daniel understood that this writing was signed, he went into his house, (now he had in his upper rooms [Or, dining-room, or summer-house] upon windows toward Jerusalem] and he kneeled three times a day upon his knees, and prayed, [to wit, in the morning before he begun any business: at noon when he came in to eat: and in the evening before he went to bed. See Psal.55. the Annotat.] on ver.18. Daniel would rather die then omit this his wonted worship. And this he did (as in the text) with his window open toward Jerusalem [according to that, I King.8.v.44. See the Anno. there & Ps.5.8. with the Anno.] & made confession [or praised, gave thanks] before his God wholly [Or every manner of way, altogether] as he had done heretofore.

12. Then came those men with heaps [Or with a tumult, as ver.7. Compare Psal.10. ver.8,9.] and they found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. [that is, openly before the face of God.]

13. Then they came nearer and spake before the King concerning the kings command, hast thou not signed a command, that every man that should in thirty dayes request (any thing) of any God or man save of thee, O King, should be cast into the den of lions? The King answered and said, It is a sure word, [the thing is true; it is a sure and certain thing. They had insnared the King before he knew or perceived that they went about to destroy Daniel] according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked.

14. Then answered they, and said before the King, Daniel one of those that were carried away captive from Juda, [This they adde unto Daniels name, to make him by reason of his country and condition (being a captive Jew) the more odious unto the King: as if they should have said, if a Babylonian, Persian, Mede had been thus disobedient, he would have deserved a sore punishment, how much more captive Jew?] hath not regarded thee, O King, no the command that thou hast signed: [as if they should have said, he hath slighted and vilified thy majesty, and hath not obeyed thy law; wilt thou suffer that, O our Lord the King? See the craftiness of these wicked wretches: had they at first made it appear, that their intent was to destroy Daniel, they might well have feared that the King would not have hearkened to them, but now they discover themselves] but he prayeth his prayer three times a day. [to wit, as he was wont to do, before this decree was published. See above vers.11.]

15. When the King heard this saying, he was very sad with himself, [Chald. properly he was very evill, or it was very evil with him; that is, he was very sorry, and he was sore troubled in himself. Now he perceived, (and not before) whereunto his decree tended, namely to destroy Daniel] and he set (his) heart upon Daniel, to deliver him: yea he toiled himself [or he was laboring, or troubled, or busie] till the going down of the sun to deliver him.

16. Then came those men [To wit, when they saw that the King wavered, and did his endeavour to deliver Daniel out of their hands, and to save him from being cast into the lions den] with heaps unto the King, [they came thus strong, that their request might be the more regarded, and might prevail the more with the King] and they said unto the King, Know, O King, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, that no command or ordinance which the King hath ordained may be changed. [They spake this as in a threatening way; for the king knew well enough what the laws of the Medes and Persians imported, as also what was contained in his decrees. Their aim was not so much to maintain the laws and statutes of thee Persians, and to have inviolably kept, as to destroy Daniel, and to put him to death. This was also a wicked statute or law: for to resolve not to alter a decree, when reason requireth that it should be done, is tyranny: or to ascribe unto the King and his Councel such absolute wisdom, and constant justice, as that in making of laws and decrees they cannot at all recede or erre from justice, is to make them Gods.]

17. Then the King commanded, and they brought forth Daniel, and cast (him0 into the den of lions: and the king answered and said unto Daniel, Thy God, whom thou honourest continually, he deliver thee. [Or he will deliver thee. Here Darius wisheth that God would deliver his faithful servant Daniel, finding that he (though he had ordained before that no petition should be put up to any either God or man, save to himself alone) was not able to help Daniel. Likewise doth Darius here sufficiently shew, that it grieved him to the heart, that he was fain to suffer Daniel to be cast into the lions den, and could not hinder it, being thereto forced by the Princes of the kingdom.]

18. And there was a stone brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den, and the King sealed it with his (own) ring, and with the ring of his mighty ones, [This was done thus by the wonderful counsel of God, that Daniels deliverance might the more plainly appear. It is said expressly in the text, that it was one, or an onely stone, to wit, a great stone, to stop the mouth, door, or entrance of the den close and fast, that all means of getting out might be taken away from Daniel; for Daniel was, by reason of his prophecies and interpretations of dreams, in great repute with every one, because of the great offices that he bare. It seemeth that those wretches straithway perceived that the lions abstained from Daniel, therefore they laid this great stone, and the kings seal, and the seal of them all upon the mouth of the den] that the will concerning Daniel might not be changed. [or that nought might, or nothing might be changed concerning Daniel. For they durst not trust the king, because he had already taken such great pains to deliver Daniel.]

19. Then the King went to his palace, and passed the night fasting, neither caused (he) any musick-play to be brought before him: [Or any delightful play, musick-play, or musick-instruments, &c. he caused no table, or meat, to be brought before him. The meaning is, he abstained from all things that were delightful, and that might have taken away, or eased his sadness such grief and sorrow had he for Daniel] and his sleep departed far from him. [That is, he could not sleep at all, he was so troubled, because they had so abused and forced him to cause Daniel to be cast into the lions den. See what conscience can work in a man. See Rom. chap.2. vers. 14,15.]

20. Then the King arose early in the morning as soon as it was light, and he went in hast [Others, in trouble. See above chap.2. the Annotat. on vers.25.] unto the den of lions.

21. Now when he was come ner to the den, he cried with a sad voice unto Daniel; the king answered, [That is, spake. And so continually] and said unto Daniel: O Daniel, thou servant of the living God, [see Jere.10. the Annotat. on ver.10.] was thy God also whom thou honourest continually able to deliver thee from the lions? [By this doubting it appeareth sufficiently, that king Darius was not converted unto the true God; for they that truly believe in God, do not in the least doubt of his omnipotency.

22. Then said Daniel unto the King, O King, live for ever. [Others, let the King live for ever; that is, God grant unto the king a long life.]

23. My God hath sent his Angel, and he hath shut the mouth of the lions, that they have not hurt me, [Concerning the spiritual preservation, compare Psal.91.13. and I Pet.5.8.] because before him innocency [or integrity, or purity] is found in me: [thought God is moved by the piety of the Godly to do them good, in regard he hath as it were bound himself thereto by a gracious promise, and that justice requireth that he should perform his gracious promise, I Tim.4.8.2. Thess.1.5,7. Heb.6.10.yet it followeth not from thence, that the piety of man doth merit this. For to be bound thereunto properly by merit, cannot stand together: See Rom.11.6. So that Daniel doth not here boast of his righteousness, but he sheweth, that God delivered him, that he might make it appear, that what worship pleased him, which he would keep and retain even with the loss of his own life] also against thee, O King, have I done no offence. [Chald. no destruction. Others, and also before thee, O King, have I done no hurt, or no harm; that the king either by my imprudence, or by my unfaithfulness should have suffered any damage in any thing. Daniel indeed transgressed the wicked decree of the king, but he did it not out of contempt of vilifying of the king, but because he ought first and above all to obey the supreme king. We must fear God, and honour the king, I Pet.2.17.]

24. Then was the King very glad [Chald. very good. See Judg.19. the Annotat. on vers.25.] with himself [or ver himself, or of it] and said, that they should draw (up) Daniel out of the den: [it may be that Daniel was drawn up with cords out of the den, as was done to Jeremiah, Jerem.chap.38.] When Daniel was drawn up out of the den, there was then no hurt [or sore, wound, harm] found upon him, because he had believed in his God. Daniel it may be knew not that God would deliver him by such a miracle, but he verily believed and was confident that God would not forsake him. See Philippians 1:21. What faith in Almighty God can do, see also Heb. chapter 11. from vers. 7. to the end of the chapter]

25. Then the King commanded and they brought forth those men which had accused Daniel a loud, [See above chap.3. on vers.8.] and they cast them, their children, [Chald. sons, under the name of sons are often in Scripture also daughters comprehended] and their wives into the den of lions: thus they fall into the pit which they had digged for Daniel. See Esth.7.10. what happened to Haman. See also Psal.7. vers.16,17. and Psal.9. vers.16,17. Prov.26,27. and Eccles.10.] and they came not upon the ground of the den, [that is, before they were come to the lower most (part) of the den, or to the foot or bottom of the den] but the lions ruled over them, [or had the upper hand of them, or overpowered them, or were masters over them] they also brake all their bones in shivers. [or, ground tem to powder. See the like punishment of God above chap.3. vers.22. See also Amos 5. ver.19.

26. Then King Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and tongues, [To wit, that were under his dominion, as is expressed vers. 27. See above chap.3. on vers.39. and chap.4. on vers.1.] that dwelt upon the whole earth, Your peace be multiplied.

27. A command is given by me through the dominion of my kingdom, men tremble and quake before the face of the God of Daniel: [The true God (who is the God of all believers) is called the God of Daniel, as he is called the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, because Daniel did fervently honour and serve him] for he is the living God, [See above vers.21.] and stedfast in eternities, and his kingdom is not corruptible, [See above chap.4.3.and Psal.93.2.] and his dominion is [or endureth] unto the end. [hereby God is distinguished from all creatures, which are all of them transitory or corruptible.]

28. He delivereth and rescueth, and he doth tokens and wonders in heaven, and on earth: he delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. [Chald. from the hand; that is, from the power, from the violence of the lions. So it is said, Gen.9. From the hand of all beasts: and Job chap.5.20. From thehand of the sword. See the like examples more in the Annotat there] all the former excellent honours which Darius attributeth unto the true God, are no evidence that he received and embraced him as the onely true God, alse he would have abolished all false worships and religions; but it was onely an honest confession of the true God, whereunto he was pressed by the great miracle which he saw before his eyes, without renouncing and forsaking of Idols.]

29. This Daniel had prosperity in the right of Darius, [For as much as Godliness hath promise not onely of the life to come, but also of this present life, I Tim.4.8. according as God in his infallible wisdom judgeth it to be good for his children] and in the reign of Cores the Persian. [See Dan. chap.1. on vers.21. the whole seven and thirtieth Psalm suiteth well with the history of this sixth chapter.]