12 Then they approached and spoke before the king about the king's injunction , "Did you not sign an injunction that any man who makes a petition to any god or man besides e you, O king , for thirty days , is to be cast into the lions' den ?" The king replied , "The statement is true , according to the law of the Medes and Persians , which may not be revoked ." 13 Then they answered and spoke before the king , " Daniel , who is one of the exiles e from Judah , pays no attention to you, O king , or to the injunction which you signed , but keeps making his petition three times a day ." 14 Then , as soon as the king heard this statement , he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel ; and even until sunset e he kept exerting himself to rescue him. 15 Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king , "Recognize , O king , that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no e injunction or statute which the king establishes may be changed ." 16 Then the king gave orders , and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions' den . The king spoke and said to Daniel , " Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you." 17 A stone was brought and laid over the mouth of the den ; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles , so that nothing e would be changed in regard to Daniel .
18 Then the king went off to his palace and spent the night fasting , and no entertainment was brought before him; and his sleep fled from him. 19 Then the king arose at dawn , at the break of day , and went in haste to the lions' den . 20 When he had come near the den to Daniel , he cried out with a troubled voice . The king spoke and said to Daniel , "Daniel , servant of the living God , has your God , whom you constantly serve , been able to deliver you from the lions ?" 21 Then Daniel spoke to the king , " O king , live forever ! 22 "My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths and they have not harmed me, inasmuch e e as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king , I have committed no crime ." 23 Then the king was very pleased and gave orders for Daniel to be taken up out of the den . So Daniel was taken up out of the den and no e injury whatever was found on him, because he had trusted in his God .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Daniel 6:12-23
Commentary on Daniel 6:11-17
(Read Daniel 6:11-17)
It is no new thing for what is done faithfully, in conscience toward God, to be misrepresented as done obstinately, and in contempt of the civil powers. Through want of due thought, we often do that which afterwards, like Darius, we see cause a thousand times to wish undone again. Daniel, that venerable man, is brought as the vilest of malefactors, and is thrown into the den of lions, to be devoured, only for worshipping his God. No doubt the placing the stone was ordered by the providence of God, that the miracle of Daniel's deliverance might appear more plain; and the king sealed it with his own signet, probably lest Daniel's enemies should kill him. Let us commit our lives and souls unto God, in well-doing. We cannot place full confidence even in men whom we faithfully serve; but believers may, in all cases, be sure of the Divine favour and consolation.
Commentary on Daniel 6:18-24
(Read Daniel 6:18-24)
The best way to have a good night, is to keep a good conscience. We are sure of what the king doubted, that the servants of the living God have a Master well able to protect them. See the power of God over the fiercest creatures, and believe his power to restrain the roaring lion that goeth about continually seeking to devour. Daniel was kept perfectly safe, because he believed in his God. Those who boldly and cheerfully trust in God to protect them in the way of duty, shall always find him a present help. Thus the righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead. The short triumph of the wicked will end in their ruin.