Daniel 6:18 Study Bible: Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting; neither were instruments of music brought before him. And his sleep fled from him.

◄ Daniel 6:18 ►

Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting. No entertainment was brought before him, and sleep fled from him.

Study Bible

Then the king
This phrase refers to King Darius, the ruler of the Medo-Persian Empire at the time. Historically, Darius is depicted as a powerful monarch, yet here we see his vulnerability. The king's actions reflect a deep concern for Daniel, who has been cast into the lions' den. This concern highlights the king's respect and admiration for Daniel, a man of God, and suggests a recognition of Daniel's innocence and the injustice of the situation.

returned to his palace
The palace symbolizes a place of power, authority, and comfort. However, despite being in his own domain, the king is restless and troubled. This juxtaposition emphasizes that true peace and contentment cannot be found in earthly power or wealth but are rooted in righteousness and justice, principles that Daniel exemplified.

and spent the night without eating
Fasting in the ancient Near Eastern context often signified mourning, repentance, or earnest supplication. The king's decision to abstain from food indicates his deep distress and possibly a form of solidarity with Daniel. It also suggests an implicit hope or prayer for Daniel's deliverance, reflecting the king's internal conflict and his desire for divine intervention.

and no entertainment was brought before him
Entertainment in the royal court would typically include music, dance, or other diversions meant to please and distract the king. The absence of such entertainment underscores the gravity of the situation. The king's refusal of these pleasures indicates his preoccupation with Daniel's fate and his inability to find joy or distraction while an innocent man suffers.

And sleep fled from him
The phrase conveys a restless night, filled with anxiety and concern. Sleep, often associated with peace and rest, is elusive for the king, symbolizing his troubled conscience and the weight of his decisions. This sleeplessness can be seen as a divine disturbance, prompting the king to reflect on his actions and the moral implications of the decree he had unwittingly signed.

Persons / Places / Events

1. King Darius
The ruler of the Medo-Persian Empire who had reluctantly ordered Daniel to be thrown into the lions' den due to the manipulations of his officials.

2. Daniel
A faithful servant of God and a high-ranking official in the kingdom, known for his unwavering devotion to God, which led to his persecution.

3. The Palace
The royal residence of King Darius, where he spent a restless night after Daniel was cast into the lions' den.

4. The Lions' Den
A pit or enclosure where Daniel was thrown as a punishment for praying to God, defying the king's decree.

5. The Night of Distress
The event where King Darius experienced a sleepless night, filled with anxiety and concern for Daniel's fate.

Teaching Points

The Burden of Unrighteous Decisions
King Darius's sleepless night illustrates the inner turmoil that can accompany decisions made under pressure or manipulation. It serves as a reminder to seek God's wisdom in decision-making.

The Power of a Righteous Testimony
Daniel's faithfulness impacted even the king, causing him to fast and forgo entertainment. Our consistent witness can influence those around us, even those in authority.

The Role of Divine Intervention
While Darius was powerless to save Daniel, God was not. This highlights the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and power over human limitations.

The Importance of Prayer and Faithfulness
Daniel's commitment to prayer, despite the consequences, challenges us to remain steadfast in our spiritual disciplines, trusting God with the outcomes.

Anxiety and Trust in God
Darius's anxiety contrasts with the peace that comes from trusting God. Believers are encouraged to cast their anxieties on God, who cares for them.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does King Darius's reaction to Daniel's situation reflect the consequences of making decisions without seeking God's guidance?

2. In what ways can Daniel's faithfulness inspire us to maintain our spiritual disciplines in the face of opposition?

3. How can we apply the lesson of divine intervention in our own lives when we face situations beyond our control?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to influence those in authority through our Christian witness, as Daniel did?

5. How can Philippians 4:6-7 help us deal with anxiety and stress in our daily lives, and how does this contrast with King Darius's experience?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Psalm 77:4
This verse speaks of sleeplessness due to distress, similar to King Darius's experience, highlighting the human response to anxiety and concern.

Matthew 27:19
Pilate's wife's dream and subsequent warning to Pilate about Jesus reflect a similar divine disturbance of sleep due to a righteous person's plight.

Philippians 4:6-7
Encourages believers to present their requests to God with thanksgiving, promising peace that guards hearts and minds, contrasting Darius's anxious night.

Sermons

Strength of Soul	H.T. Robjohns	Daniel 6:1-24
One Thoughtless Act Brings Much Sorrow	J.D. Davies	Daniel 6:14-18

People

Cyrus, Daniel, Darius, Persians

Places

Babylon, Jerusalem

Topics

Concubines, Dahavan, Diversions, Eating, Entertainment, Fasting, Fled, Instruments, Music, Musick, Palace, Passed, Placed, Sleep, Spent

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Daniel 6:18

     5057   rest, physical
     5418   monotony
     5537   sleeplessness
     5901   loneliness
     8430   fasting, nature of
     8431   fasting, reasons

Daniel 6:16-22

1320 God, as Saviour
5203 acquittal

Daniel 6:18-19

5933 restlessness

Library

A Tribute from Enemies
Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.'--DANIEL vi. 5. Daniel was somewhere about ninety years old when he was cast to the lions. He had been for many years the real governor of the whole empire; and, of course, in such a position had incurred much hatred and jealousy. He was a foreigner and a worshipper of another God, and therefore was all the more unpopular, as a Brahmin would be in England if he were …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Faith Stopping the Mouths of Lions
'Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, He will deliver thee. 17. And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel. 18. Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Story of the Fiery Furnace
There was in the land of Judah a wicked king-named Jehoiakim, son of the good Josiah. While Jehoiakim was ruling over the land of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar, a great conqueror of the nations, came from Babylon with his army of Chaldean soldiers. He took the city of Jerusalem, and made Jehoiakim promise to submit to him as his master. And when he went back to his own land he took with him all the gold and silver that he could find in the Temple; and he carried away as captives very many of the princes …
Logan Marshall—The Wonder Book of Bible Stories

The Jordan: the Decisive Start. Matthew 3:13-17. Mark 1:9-1Luke
3:21-22. The Anvil of Experience: knowledge only through experience--the Fourth, Daniel 3:25.--three Hebrews, Daniel 3.--Babylonian premier, Daniel 6:16-23.--George Mueller--Jesus made perfect through experience, Hebrews 2:10. 5:8, 9. 7:28, l.c.--all our experiences, Hebrews 2:14-18. Philippians 2:7. Hebrews 4:15, except through sin, Hebrews 4:15, l.c. 7:26. 2 Corinthians 5:21, f.c. 1 Peter 2:22. 1 John 3:5, l.c.--Jesus' suffering, Philippians 2:6-8. Hebrews 2:9, 17, 18. 4:15. His obedience, Luke …
S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks about Jesus

Appendix v. Rabbinic Theology and Literature
1. The Traditional Law. - The brief account given in vol. i. p. 100, of the character and authority claimed for the traditional law may here be supplemented by a chronological arrangement of the Halakhoth in the order of their supposed introduction or promulgation. In the first class, or Halakhoth of Moses from Sinai,' tradition enumerates fifty-five, [6370] which may be thus designated: religio-agrarian, four; [6371] ritual, including questions about clean and unclean,' twenty-three; [6372] concerning …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Early Ministry in Judea
113. We owe to the fourth gospel our knowledge of the fact that Jesus began his general ministry in Jerusalem. The silence of the other records concerning this beginning cannot discredit the testimony of John. For these other records themselves indicate in various ways that Jesus had repeatedly sought to win Jerusalem before his final visit at the end of his life (compare Luke xiii. 34; Matt. xxiii. 37). Moreover, the fourth gospel is confirmed by the probability, rising almost to necessity, that …
Rush Rhees—The Life of Jesus of Nazareth

I Will Pray with the Spirit and with the Understanding Also-
OR, A DISCOURSE TOUCHING PRAYER; WHEREIN IS BRIEFLY DISCOVERED, 1. WHAT PRAYER IS. 2. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT. 3. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT AND WITH THE UNDERSTANDING ALSO. WRITTEN IN PRISON, 1662. PUBLISHED, 1663. "For we know not what we should pray for as we ought:--the Spirit--helpeth our infirmities" (Rom 8:26). ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. There is no subject of more solemn importance to human happiness than prayer. It is the only medium of intercourse with heaven. "It is …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
BY JOHN BUNYAN PREFATORY REMARKS BY THE EDITOR This important treatise was prepared for the press, and left by the author, at his decease, to the care of his surviving friend for publication. It first appeared in a collection of his works in folio, 1692; and although a subject of universal interest; most admirably elucidated; no edition has been published in a separate form. Antichrist has agitated the Christian world from the earliest ages; and his craft has been to mislead the thoughtless, by …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

A Cloud of Witnesses.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

Divine Support and Protection
[What shall we say then to these things?] If God be for us, who can be against us? T he passions of joy or grief, of admiration or gratitude, are moderate when we are able to find words which fully describe their emotions. When they rise very high, language is too faint to express them; and the person is either lost in silence, or feels something which, after his most laboured efforts, is too big for utterance. We may often observe the Apostle Paul under this difficulty, when attempting to excite …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Daniel
Daniel is called a prophet in the New Testament (Matt. xxiv. 15). In the Hebrew Bible, however, the book called by his name appears not among the prophets, but among "the writings," between Esther and Ezra. The Greek version placed it between the major and the minor prophets, and this has determined its position in modern versions. The book is both like and unlike the prophetic books. It is like them in its passionate belief in the overruling Providence of God and in the sure consummation of His …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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