Daniel 6
From King Darius' Chronicle
I placed a man who was a hard working and an honest person at a top position in my kingdom. His name was Daniel.
Days later I fell into a trap made by the satraps and administrators working in my kingdom. I didn't realize how jealous these men were of Daniel.
They conned me into signing a decree forbidding anyone from praying to anything but me.
What was I thinking?
At this very moment Daniel is in the lions den for violating that decree. He had prayed to his God. His God had done some amazing things here in Babylon. But, I don't know if his God will save his life.
I went to my palace and ordered everyone to leave me alone. I couldn't eat or drink. I paced for hours, waiting for the sun to rise. No one was allowed to move the rock keeping Daniel in the Den before the sun shined over the horizon, not even me.
With each turn of my pacing I looked out the window. The night lasted longer than any other night in my life. I replayed the last moments by the lion's den over and over in my mind:
"Wait," I cried. I had hurried to Daniel's side and said the only thing that came to my mind. "May your God, whom you serve continually rescue you!"
I meant those words with all my heart. I didn't know how any god could rescue someone from the lions' den, but if one could, it would be Daniel's God.
My soldiers had pushed Daniel into the den. I couldn't watch. "Close it," I said.
A rock was pushed over the opening. I had to follow the usual ceremony by sealing the opening with my signet ring. So did the nobles. No one could save Daniel now. Except, maybe his God.
I walked away, so very sad. If only Daniel's God would choose to save him.
The time eventually moved forward. The morning sun peeked over the horizon. I raced to the door. "Bring me my chariot at once."
I rode with great speed to the lion's den and ordered the rock moved. It took several strong soldiers to move it. "Hurry. Move the rock faster!"
Once the opening appeared I cried out, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God whom you serve every day been able to rescue you from the lions?"
I waited.
There wasn't a lion snarling. Oh, no. The lions' bellies must be full. "Daniel?"
He walked to the opening and looked up at me. "O king live forever! My God sent his angel, and He shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in His sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king."
I couldn't believe my ears. I leaped in the air and cheered. "Hurry, pull Daniel out of there." Soldiers reached down and heaved Daniel out of the den. I pulled him closer and looked at him. There wasn't a single wound on his skin. Not a single injury at all. All of this was because he obeyed and trusted his God to save him.
I had been a fool. But I wouldn't let this end here.
Come back next time to see what happens.
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1. Why did King Darius pace all night?
2. Why couldn't Darius eat or sleep?
3. What was King Darius waiting for?
4. What did he do the second time allowed?
5. What happened to Daniel?
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