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Daniel in the Lion's den, twice

Daniel 6 and 14

Daniel in the Lion's den under King Darius:

Daniel is the object of the special favor of King Darius the Mede, and also of the persistent jealousy of the other officers of the Crown, who finally succeed in having him thrown into the lions' den, because of his faithfulness in praying to God three times a day... upon Daniel's miraculous preservation, Darius decrees that all in his kingdom should "dread and fear the God of Daniel".

The well known story of Daniel thrown to the lions is obviously a miracle and so it is proclaimed by the Bible using King Darius,

27 He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions."(Dan.6:27).

You and I will be thrown to the lion's den one time or another, to the lions of hate or envy or persecution or injustice... and our God, the same God of Daniel will save us.

Trust in God are the three words that resume the message of every page of the Bible... in the New Testament is almost the same, "Faith in Christ"... only trust in God can save us from every evil, and the Faith in Christ is the more powerful weapon humanity has, able to fill us with Christ Himself, with the love, joy, and peace that only Jesus can give and no one or nothing can take away (Gal.2:20, Rom.8:28-39).

This is how the Bible describes it:

They brought Daniel and threw him into the lions' den. The king said to Daniel, "May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!"

17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel's situation might not be changed.

18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.

19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions' den.

20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?"

21 Daniel answered, "O king, live forever!

22 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."

23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

24 At the king's command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions' den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. (Dan.6:16-24).

Decree of King Darius on the living God of

Daniel 6:23-27)

25 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language throughout the land:

"May you prosper greatly!

26 "I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.

"For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end.

27 He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions."

28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Daniel in the Lion's Den for the second time under King Cyrus:

Some Protestant bibles do not have this second time. It is also a miracle, and now specifically for 7 days in the den.

Enraged at the deeds of Daniel, the people forced King Cyrus to deliver Daniel to them, and cast the Prophet into a lions' den.

Daniel remained there unharmed for six days, and fed by the prophet Habakkuk who was miraculously transported from Judea to Babylon.

On the seventh day, the king having found Daniel alive in the midst of the lions, praised aloud the God of Daniel and delivered the Prophet's accusers to the fate which Daniel had miraculously escaped.

38 "You have remembered me, O God," said Daniel; "you have not forsaken those who love you."

40 On the seventh day the king came to mourn for Daniel. As he came to the den and looked in, there was Daniel, sitting there!

41 The king cried aloud, "You are great, O Lord, the God of Daniel, and there is no other besides you!"

42 Daniel he took out, but those who had tried to destroy him he threw into the den, and they were devoured in a moment before his eye. (Dan.14:28-42)