By Mary Vee
Daniel 6
From Darius' Chronicle
My name is Darius, I am the king of many countries. Babylon has been recently added to my empire.
I moved into the palace in Babylon once the former king, Belshazzar had been eliminated.
I set up an order for the people. Three men served as administrators beneath me. Then 120 satraps served under those three men.
Daniel's work impressed me the most. He was an honest and hard worker. I guess I hadn't noticed the other's jealousy when I mentioned I would promote Daniel as the top administrator, but didn't think too much of it.
One day the administrators, except Daniel, and the satraps came to my chamber. They complimented me and came up with what seemed like a great plan. They suggested I write a decree that required people of the land to only pray to me and no one else. If anyone didn't obey, they were to be thrown in the lions' den. I must admit I was honored and agreed to it right away. I didn't think at all about possible problems.
The next day, those same men came tattling to me saying Daniel had prayed to his God and therefore should be punished. They demanded I should have Daniel thrown in the lions' den immediately.
I couldn't believe their words. How could this happen? What kind of a king was I to allow the best worker in the whole kingdom to be thrown in the lions' den? My stomach ached. My head hurt. I felt sick and unable to think There had to be some way to save Daniel.
But the men pestered me, reminding me of the law that demanded no exceptions. I turned away and gave the order. I had no other choice.
I couldn't watch the guards escort him there. I paced back and forth in my chamber then changed my mind. "Hurry, fetch me a chariot." I rushed to the site just before the guards pushed him.
"Wait," I cried. I 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.
Daniel fell into the den. I couldn't watch. "Close it."
A rock was pushed over the opening. I followed 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. I didn't want to speak to anyone.
A few of the satraps and administrators came close to me. There smug faces sickened me. They had set this up and I had fallen for their trap. Now everything must play. And I had no control.
Come back next time to see what happens.
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1. Most of the questions for this story have been asked in the last post. Just one remains, how did Darius feel about what happened and why did he feel that way?
By Mary Vee
Daniel 6
From Daniel's Journal
My name is Daniel. I am a prophet of God and a prisoner in the land of Babylon with many other Jews.
The guards have walked me to the lions' den.
At first, the king didn't come with us. I listened to the satraps and administrators make fun of me the whole walk here.
Just before the guards shoved me into the den as they were ordered, the king arrived on his chariot and stopped near the den. He climbed down and walked toward me. "Daniel, May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you."
He signaled the guards to do their duty.
They pushed me down into the lions' den. I was prepared to die. The lions' snapped at first. The king then said in a very sad voice. "Roll the stone over the opening."
He would have used his signet ring to seal the opening. The nobles would have done the same. This would hold as proof that no one tampered with the rock to help me escape.
I cowered against the wall and waited for the lions to attack. A whole minute passed. I felt my arms and chest to make sure I really was alive.
The lions had gathered on the other side of the den. I saw men dressed in white. They had a glow around them helping me to see in the dark.
"Fear not, Daniel. For you are favored with the Most High God. He has sent us to hold the mouths of the lions closed and to keep them from harming you. God has said you are found innocent in his sight. You have not sinned and should not be given this punishment."
They smiled and then sang. Their song calmed the lions. They ran one hand over the main of the lions, treating the creatures with the kindness I have known from the Almighty God.
I'm not sure if I slept. I didn't want to. It's not often a whole evening can be spent with angels from God, sent especially for protection. I remember singing praises to God with them. We talked, but I don't remember the conversation.
What I do remember is the joy in my heart. Like a breath of the purest air--even down in a smelly lions' den.
Since I couldn't watch the sky, I had no idea of how the time passed. The lions mostly slept as the stars and moon moved in the sky above the rock.
Oh praise the Lord for he is good.
Come back next time to see what happens.
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1. What decree did the king sign into law?
2. What did Daniel do?
3. Why the the satraps and administrators tell on Daniel?
4. What was the king forced to do?
5. Where was Daniel taken?
By Mary Vee
Daniel 6
From Daniel's Journal
My name is Daniel. I am a prophet of God and a prisoner in the land of Babylon with many other Jews.
King Darius the Mede agreed to set up a rule saying no one in the kingdom may pray to anyone except the king for thirty days.
The satraps and administrators had so much fun spying on me and telling the king that I had prayed to my God.
Of course I did.
The king was upset. He realized the satraps and administrators tricked not only me but him as well. There was absolutely nothing that could be done.
He turned to me. "Daniel. I am so sorry. I will try to do everything I can, but at this moment I must follow the law."
I think I even saw tears forming in his eyes. He turned away. "Take Daniel to the lions' den as is written in the decree."
The guards did not deal harshly with me. They didn't grab my arms or drag me down the corridor. They let me walk with dignity. I think, they, too, realized the horrible thing that the satraps and administrators had done.
We had quite the parade through the city. Babylonians stopped their work to watch us go by. The lions den was a distance away.
The satraps and administrators followed, all of them. Giggling and sniggering. They didn't hide their mocking words. Instead they tried to get the people to mock me with them.
To tell the truth, I didn't let any of it bother me. I kept in mind what God had done for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. I also kept in mind what God had done for Moses and the Israelites when they escaped Egypt, Joseph while he was in captivity, David as he fled King Saul, and a host of others--all helped by God.
God doesn't promise to spare our lives, He promises to be our tower of strength, a place to hide, a place to find joy, our Father who listens and expects to be worshipped no matter what happens.
King Darius did not join the parade. He stayed in the palace. His eyes pooling with tears showed how sorry he was for allowing the satraps and administrators to trick him.
We walked outside the palace toward the lions' den. I could hear their roars even from this distance. The animals were kept in a starving mode for times such as this.
Because of their hunger, the lions became ruthless and violent. No one lasted more than a minute after being thrown into the den.
I am prepare to die, though. I will never, under any circumstances or threat, give up my faith in God.
Come back next time to see what happens.
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1. What decree did the king sign into law?
2. What did Daniel do?
3. Why the the satraps and administrators tell on Daniel?
4. What was the king forced to do?
5. Where was Daniel taken?
