Chapter 6

“For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship” Acts 27:23

I.     Daniel 5:31    (The first verse of chapter 6 in Aramaic.)

      “Darius the Mede” is not found in secular history but from the Bible and Josephus we have:

1.                               He was made king over the kingdom of the Chaldeans. Dan. 9:1

2.                               He “received” the kingdom at about 62 years of age. Dan. 5:31 and Josephus

3.                               He was the son of Ahasuerus, of Median descent. Dan. 9:1

4.                               He was the son of Astyages (who was the son of “Assuerus”). Josephus

5.                               He was a kinsman of Cyrus the Great.  Josephus (Historically, they would be cousins.)

II.     Daniel 6:1-5

A.                                 The government consisted of King (1), presidents (3), and satraps (120) (like mayors).

B.                              Daniel always makes a good impression! Like Joseph in Genesis 41:37-44.

C.                               Daniel was a good citizen.      Luke 20:22-26; Romans 13:1-7

III.    Daniel 6:6-9

      The scheme—No praying! Make it a law and it cannot be changed.  Esther 8:8

IV.    Daniel 6:10-15

A.                                 He prayed NOT because he was told not to, but because he had always prayed thus!

B.                              Now it’s the King’s law, in verse 7 it was their “great idea.”

C.                               The king has been tricked and now he “LABORS” to find a way of escape for Daniel.

D.                              The “throng” reminds the king he must carry out the sentence.

V.     Daniel 6:16-18

      A. The Vigil Begins!

      B. Does a similar scene come to mind?     Matthew 27:62-66

      C. “No diversions” for the king.     Proverbs 25:20

      D. Darius so loved Daniel that he was worried enough to be unable to sleep.

VI.    Daniel 6:19-24

A.                                 “Up from the ‘grave’ he arose!”

B.                              Daniel’s trust was noted in “Faith’s Hall of Fame,” Hebrews 11:33.

C.                               His faith did not start just before going into the lion’s den, but was his “continual service” and daily prayer even before all this came about.

D.                              Josephus gives a remarkable account of the disbelief of the satraps in Daniel’s divine deliverance.

VII.    Daniel 6:25-28

      When one witnesses God’s power, how can they but speak! Amos 3:8