“he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.”

Daniel 6:10 (KJV)

The story

It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, and over these three presidents, of whom Daniel was first. Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes because an excellent spirit was in him, and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. So the others sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find none occasion nor fault, because he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. Daniel 6:1-4

They admitted it among themselves: We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. So they assembled to the king and claimed that all the presidents, governors, princes, counsellors, and captains had agreed on a royal statute, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. They urged him to sign it so it could not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. King Darius signed the writing. Daniel 6:5-9

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house, and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. He did not start praying to make a point, and he did not stop to stay safe. The men assembled and found him praying and making supplication before his God, then went to the king and reminded him that his decree could not be altered. Daniel 6:10-13

When the king heard it, he was sore displeased with himself, and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver Daniel, but the law would not bend. Daniel was cast into the den of lions, and the king said to him, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. A stone was laid on the mouth of the den and sealed with the king's own signet. The king passed the night fasting and his sleep went from him. Very early he ran to the den and cried with a lamentable voice, and Daniel answered that God had sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths. Daniel was taken up, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God. Daniel 6:14-23

Quiz

1. How many princes did Darius set over the kingdom?

   • Seventy
   • An hundred and twenty
   • Three hundred
   • Twelve

2. Why was Daniel preferred above the presidents and princes?

   • Because an excellent spirit was in him
   • Because he was the oldest
   • Because he was born in Babylon
   • Because he commanded the army

3. What did his enemies conclude was the only way to accuse him?

   • Concerning his wealth
   • Concerning the law of his God
   • Concerning his family
   • Concerning the army

4. How long was the decree to last?

   • Seven days
   • Ten days
   • Thirty days
   • A whole year

5. Why did they want the king to sign the writing?

   • So it could not be changed, by the law of the Medes and Persians
   • So the people could read it
   • So the priests would approve
   • So it could be sent abroad

6. What did Daniel do when he knew the writing was signed?

   • He fled the city
   • He prayed in secret
   • He prayed as he did aforetime, windows open toward Jerusalem
   • He appealed to the king

7. How did the king react when he heard the accusation?

   • He was pleased
   • He was sore displeased with himself and laboured to deliver Daniel
   • He ordered a feast
   • He accused the presidents

8. What did the king say to Daniel as he was cast in?

   • Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee
   • Farewell, my friend
   • The law must be kept
   • I will send for thee at dawn

9. How was the stone on the den secured?

   • With iron bars
   • With ropes
   • With the king's own signet and the signet of his lords
   • With a heavy chain

10. What reason does the text give for Daniel being unhurt?

    • Because the lions had eaten
    • Because he believed in his God
    • Because the den was shallow
    • Because the king protected him