Daniel 6:19
At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the den of lions.
At the first light of dawn
This phrase signifies the very beginning of a new day, symbolizing hope and renewal. In the Hebrew context, dawn often represents a time of divine intervention and new beginnings. The king's actions at dawn reflect his urgency and concern for Daniel, indicating that he had spent a restless night. Theologically, dawn can be seen as a metaphor for God's faithfulness and the promise of deliverance, as seen in Lamentations 3:22-23, where God's mercies are "new every morning."

the king
The king in this context is Darius, ruler of the Medo-Persian Empire. Historically, Darius is portrayed as a ruler who respected Daniel and was distressed by the consequences of his own decree. His actions demonstrate the tension between human authority and divine sovereignty. From a conservative Christian perspective, the king's role highlights the limitations of earthly power and the ultimate authority of God over the affairs of men.

got up
This action indicates a sense of urgency and determination. The king's rising at dawn suggests that he was deeply troubled and anxious to know Daniel's fate. In a broader scriptural context, rising up often signifies readiness to act or respond to God's call, as seen in various biblical narratives where individuals rise to fulfill divine purposes.

and hurried
The king's haste underscores his deep concern and the urgency of the situation. This urgency reflects the king's hope against hope that Daniel's God had delivered him. In the biblical narrative, such urgency often accompanies moments of significant divine intervention or revelation, emphasizing the immediacy of God's action in human affairs.

to the den of lions
The lion's den is a place of trial and testing, symbolizing the challenges and dangers faced by the faithful. In the historical and archaeological context, lions were symbols of power and danger in the ancient Near East. The den represents a place where God's power is demonstrated over the natural world. For Christians, the lion's den is a powerful metaphor for the trials believers face and the assurance of God's protection and deliverance, as echoed in 1 Peter 5:8-9, where believers are called to resist the devil, who prowls like a roaring lion.

Persons / Places / Events
1. King Darius
The ruler of the Medo-Persian Empire who reluctantly cast Daniel into the lions' den due to a decree he was tricked into signing.

2. Daniel
A faithful servant of God and a high-ranking official in the kingdom, known for his unwavering devotion and prayer life.

3. The Lions' Den
A pit or enclosure where lions were kept, used as a means of execution for those who violated the king's decree.

4. The Decree
An edict that prohibited prayer to anyone except King Darius for thirty days, which Daniel defied by continuing to pray to God.

5. The First Light of Dawn
The time when King Darius, anxious and hopeful, rushed to see if Daniel had survived the night with the lions.
Teaching Points
The Power of Consistent Faithfulness
Daniel's unwavering commitment to God, even in the face of death, challenges us to remain faithful in our daily walk with God.

The Importance of Prayer
Daniel's habit of prayer was central to his life. We are encouraged to cultivate a consistent prayer life, trusting in God's power and presence.

God's Sovereignty and Protection
The account illustrates God's control over all situations and His ability to protect His people, reminding us to trust in His sovereignty.

The Impact of a Godly Testimony
Daniel's life and faith had a profound impact on King Darius, showing that our faithfulness can influence others towards God.

Hope in Times of Trial
Just as King Darius hoped for Daniel's deliverance, we can have hope in God's deliverance and faithfulness during our trials.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Daniel's response to the decree challenge us to prioritize our relationship with God over societal pressures?

2. In what ways can we develop a consistent prayer life like Daniel's, and what obstacles might we face?

3. How does the account of Daniel in the lions' den encourage us to trust in God's protection and sovereignty in our own lives?

4. What impact can our faithfulness to God have on those around us, as seen in the influence Daniel had on King Darius?

5. How can we find hope and assurance in God's deliverance during our personal trials, drawing parallels to Daniel's experience?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Daniel's Faithfulness
Connects to Daniel 1, where Daniel and his friends remain faithful to God by refusing the king's food, showing a consistent pattern of devotion.

God's Deliverance
Relates to the account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3, where God delivers His faithful servants from the fiery furnace.

Prayer and Deliverance
Echoes the theme in Acts 12, where Peter is miraculously delivered from prison due to the prayers of the church.

God's Sovereignty
Similar to the account of Joseph in Genesis 50, where God uses adverse circumstances for His purposes and the good of His people.
Strength of SoulH.T. Robjohns Daniel 6:1-24
The Tables TurnedJ.D. Davies Daniel 6:19-28
People
Cyrus, Daniel, Darius, Persians
Places
Babylon, Jerusalem
Topics
Break, Dawn, Den, Early, Got, Haste, Hole, Hurried, Lions, Morning, Quickly, Rise
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Daniel 6:19

     4918   dawn

Daniel 6:16-22

     1320   God, as Saviour
     5203   acquittal

Daniel 6:18-19

     5933   restlessness

Daniel 6:19-22

     6634   deliverance

Daniel 6:19-23

     1416   miracles, nature of

Daniel 6:19-28

     5931   resistance

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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