6/03/22 – Daniel 6:18-24
Daniel 6:18 – Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.
instruments of musick – dachavah (Aramaic) (diversions; musical instruments?;
dancing girls; concubines; music) Its only occurrence is here. Its
meaning is uncertain, but it may or may not mean musical instruments. Various
opinions render it as dancing girls, concubines, odours, instruments of music,
or food tables. Its Hebrew equivalent dachah
means to thrust, push or chase.
before – or “in front of”
That which is brought before him does suggest something of a visual nature and thus I would suggest “dancing girls” (which in those days would often be brought before such people either during or after eating a meal). Such dancing girls may have had tambourines but it’s the thrust and push of the dancing that the term probably refers to.
But whatever it actually means, it would certainly refer to the king not wishing to have his usual diversions that evening: no meal, no entertainment! He was just not in the mood to enjoy anything while Daniel was in that lions’ den. After sealing Daniel into the lions’ den, he returned to the palace to spend a restless and troubled night.
went – or fled. His sleep fled from him.
After refusing to eat or to enjoy his customary pleasures, he has a sleepless night worrying about what he has done. No doubt he went over and over in his mind how he should have dealt with the situation. He clearly has great regrets regarding his decision to sign that decree, and he would have wished he could go back in time and change his decision. No doubt he would have refused to sign it without first considering its consequences.
This worrying was not going to help Daniel now, but it seems the king may have made plans for punishing Daniel’s accusers, for when he finds Daniel safe and alive, he immediately orders the accusers to be thrown to the lions, plus their wives and children. One can just imagine the dire plans Darius made (while tossing and turning in sleeplessness) for those who dared to deceive him.
In Matthew 14:1-12, Herod is tricked into commanding the beheading of John the Baptist. Like Darius, he made a foolish thoughtless decision, and then regretted it once he discovered the truth.
Matthew 14:9-10 – 9And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded [it] to be given [her]. 10And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.
Daniel 6:19 – Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.
very early in the morning – or “at dawn” or “at first light”. Can mean “brightness”.
If the king hasn’t slept all night, then he would have noticed the first light of morning, signifying that night had passed. He could now legally open the den to see what had happened to Daniel. Nothing could stop him or slow him down now. He went in haste (in a great hurry) to the den of lions. It is likely that some of Daniel’s accusers may have watched the den to make sure Darius didn’t go before night-time ended, But there is nothing they can do to stop Darius now.
Darius has a desperate need to find out what his signed decree might have cost Daniel. He is hopeful that Daniel will be still alive, but his sleepless night and haste now demonstrate his fear that Daniel might have suffered death overnight because he made that decision to sign that senseless decree.
Daniel 6:20 – And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: [and] the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?
cried – or “cried out”
lamentable – pained; grieved; vexed.
And when Darius arrives at the lions’ den (it was not likely to have been next door to the palace!), his voice demonstrates his grief and pain at what he thinks may have happened. He is hoping for a good result but is fearful because he cannot fully accept yet that Daniel could possibly survive the whole night in the den with hungry lions. He might have said to Daniel, “Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.” (Daniel 6:16), but his behaviour does show a lack of faith in this.
It is possible that the stone is removed before the king can speak with Daniel, although crying out does suggest that the king may have asked this question without waiting for the den to be opened. It is likely that he would not have waited for the stone to be removed, but would shout out as soon as he could to see if Daniel responded in any way. Darius would have had a guilty conscience over what he has done and that guilt would have caused him to want to know without any delay.
living God – This Aramaic phrase is only used twice in Daniel, here and in Daniel 6:26. For Darius to declare Daniel’s God to be the living God is high praise indeed. It literally declares Daniel’s God to be active and able to even deliver Daniel from the lions, something that he with his experience of his heathen gods probably could not comprehend. It is clear Darius would not have expected his own gods to have delivered him from the lions. nor do the Babylonian gods seem to be able to help Daniel’s accusers (for it is probable that they would have tried their gods when facing sudden death, or had even possibly assumed that there was no point in praying to their ineffectual gods).
Nebuchadnezzar also praised God as the King of heaven.
Daniel 4:37 – Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works [are] truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
If the heathen truly believed this, why would they continue to serve their own lesser gods? Is it because they saw Daniel as the servant of the living God, yet did not see themselves the same way? Why is it, when people see miraculous things done by this same living God, why do they then not believe also in this God such that they reject their false gods? For example, when he saw the miracles and power of Moses’ God, why didn’t Pharaoh believe the evidence that was right in front of him?
continually – or “in perpetuity”.
whom thou servest continually – It is clear that Darius knew (maybe even before he signed that decree) that Daniel consistently served his God. Not just served when it suited him, but continually. Note that Darius declared before Daniel went into the lions’ den, “Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.” (Daniel 6:16). “continually” here is the same word in both Vs 16 and Vs 20 above.
Darius may have been be equating Daniel’s deliverance to Daniel’s perpetual service to God, and maybe Darius does not see himself as being included. Perhaps Darius sees it as a religion of works, where God best delivers those who best serve Him.
And was God “able to deliver thee from the lions”, asks Darius. In a way he desperately wants Daniel’s God to honour the service of His servant, Daniel, and maybe he is even wanting to know if Daniel’s service has been sufficient for such deliverance.
Daniel 6:21 – Then said
Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.
Here is the response that Darius was hoping desperately to hear, but probably dreaded that he wouldn’t hear anything but the lions. Not only is Daniel alive and well, but normal enough to be able to give the standard form of respect to the king: “O king, live for ever.” It must have seemed like a miracle to Darius, a very-welcome miracle indeed. Note that Daniel does not accuse the king of anything.
Daniel 6:22 – My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
“My God (that one whom I serve continually) sent His angel who caused the lions’ mouths to remain closed so that they were not able to hurt (destroy) me,” said Daniel. “This was all because, before God, I was found innocent, and also, before you, O king, I have done no wrong.”
If the angel closed the mouths of the lions, it would have been by the power and authority of God Himself (who would have sent the angel to carry out this task). Thus, while God’s angel closed the lions’ mouths here, it was really God who effectively caused this to happen. Angels are sent forth by God to minister to the needs of His people.
Hebrews 1:13-14 – 13But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? 14Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
While Daniel claims to be judged innocent by God, he is clearly not referring to the decree signed by Darius which did indeed find him guilty of disobeying that decree. Daniel is therefore not claiming to be judged according to that decree here because his requirement that he pray would have definitely overruled any opposing decree made on earth. “We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29) is that biblical law that says that any earthly law or decree that causes us to disobey God must be in itself disobeyed. Romans 13:1 (“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”) certainly says that we must obey our earthly authorities, but only in so far as we do not oppose a biblical requirement of God. Therefore it is possible to be found guilty by earthly laws, yet still be declared innocent by God. And, when there is a conflict between God’s law and man’s law, it is far better to be found innocent by God that to strive for innocence in the world.
Daniel 6:23 – Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.
exceeding – exceedingly. That the king was exceedingly glad for Daniel’s safety should have cause great angst among his accusers. The impossible had happened, turning their “Daniel is dead and gone” celebrations into despair for their own futures. Although, it must be noted, that even if Daniel had been eaten by the lions, it was still very likely that his accusers would have followed Daniel into the den. If Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego could be thrown into a fiery furnace for simply not bowing to an image of Nebuchadnezzar, then Daniel’s accusers can be dealt with similarly if Darius so chooses. He is king, after all!
because he believed in his God – or “because his God was able to be trusted”
As his three friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego, trusted God when being threatened with being thrown into the fiery furnace …..
Daniel 3:16-18 – 16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed–nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we [are] not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17If it be [so], our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver [us] out of thine hand, O king. 18But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
….. Daniel also knew that God was in charge and could be trusted to save him to the uttermost, whether that meant more physical life or not.
All God’s people (notably Christians today) may be assured that God can save to the uttermost all those who come to God through Christ according to Romans 10:13.
Hebrews 7:24-25 – 24But this [man], because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
no manner of hurt – “manner” derives from a word meaning perfect or completed. This meant that Daniel was kept perfectly or completely safe; thus he suffered no manner of hurt or harm.
So, as Shadrach, Mescach and Abed-Nego were perfectly or completely kept safe by the God they trusted, Daniel also suffered no manner of hurt at all. There is no limit to what God can do. He doesn’t just do His best; His best is perfection.
“With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)
Daniel 6:24 – And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast [them] into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.
had accused – denounced;
slandered; accused maliciously.
I remarked on this word when looking at Daniel 3:8 – Wherefore
at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews. Its Hebrew equivalent means to "eat the
morsels of" any one, i.e. chew him up [fig] by slander).
The Hebrew word derives from a word used for stinging or biting insects.
Cambridge says: The figure in the original
is a peculiar one, lit. ‘ate the (torn)
pieces of the Jews.’ The expression has commonly in
Aramaic the sense of falsely accuse, or slander
“Chaldeans”
in Daniel 3:8 refers to
the local inhabitants who accusing those Jewish captives (that is, to them,
lower-class people!) of not bowing down to that image of Nebuchadnezzar. The
word “accused” is a strong word to use; it denotes an effort to
destroy others, to literally eat or chew them up.
In Vs 24
above, Daniel’s accusers are literally trying to chew him up, that is, to
destroy him. Vindictiveness is the name of the game here. There are no fair
rules in this game; if you can land a punch or kick (or even bite) anywhere,
then do it.
Those
accusers who sought to destroy Daniel were then thrown into the lions’ den,
along with their wives and children. We must always be mindful that our sin can
so easily cause trouble for those around us, including our family. Including
wives and children would have ensured that they left no descendants for
posterity. In Daniel 2:5 Nebuchadnezzar also threatened the Chaldeans likewise with their houses
being made a dunghill if they couldn’t tell him what
his dream was about.
the
mastery – to dominate; to overpower; to assault; to rule over. These accusers had no chance at all of escaping the ultra-hungry lions.
or ever – ere;
before. “… before
they came to the bottom of the den.”
The Hebrew equivalent is similar, as noted in Proverbs 8:23 – I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever (ere; before) the earth was.
Daniel’s accusers (including their wives and children) were seized by the lions as they were falling, and destroyed (“all their bones” were broken into pieces) before they even reached the bottom of the den. Keep in mind that these lions were looking for a feed when Daniel had been thrown in. They would have been drooling saliva while Daniel sat there, not able to eat him because of the angel holding their mouths shut. (I assume it wasn’t necessarily a physical act to keep their mouths shut because there were a few lions it seems and just one angel. Therefore keeping their mouths shut could have been simply by an order of the angel. I’m sure one angel acting on God’s orders could have easily kept a whole lot of lions’ mouths shut!)
Keeping them salivating without eating would have been upsetting for those lions, so the moment the angel permits them to open their mouths (after Daniel is set free, of course), they are like ravenous lions (naturally, of course) and meat can be caught on the run (or in the air as this case may be).
How much do we trust God to manage on our behalf today? If God says that all things work together for good (Romans 8:28), then why should we try to limit that in any way? If “all” means “all”, then why try to reduce what God has promised to something we find easier to believe? The only exception as far as I can see is when something comes our way as a consequence of a decision we have made (that might be opposed to God’s will).
So, if troubles come our way (independently of our own decision-making), then are they not part of that which works together for good. And therefore, if God says to give thanks always for all things (Ephesians 5:20), why is this too hard if all things work together for good? Why do things have to be assessed as “good” in our opinion before we feel able to thank God for what He has permitted into our lives?
I’m sure that if Daniel had been asked, he would have praised God even for being thrown to the lions. He would have considered being thrown to the lions as a part of the all things working together for good, and I do not think that Daniel would have said that he would wait until the morning came before he gave thanks.
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