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 . 24 The king then gave orders , and they brought those men who had maliciously e accused e Daniel , and they cast them, their children and their wives into the lions' den ; and they had not reached the bottom of the den before e the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones .
25 Then Darius the king wrote to all the peoples , nations and men of every language who were living in all the land : " May your peace abound ! 26 "I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men are to fear and tremble before e the God of Daniel ; For He is the living God and enduring forever , And His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed , And His dominion will be forever . 27 "He delivers and rescues and performs signs and wonders In heaven and on earth , Who has also delivered Daniel from the power of the lions ." 28 So this Daniel enjoyed success in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Daniel 6:16-28
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.
Commentary on Daniel 6:25-28
(Read Daniel 6:25-28)
If we live in the fear of God, and walk according to that rule, peace shall be upon us. The kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever, are the Lord's; but many are employed in making known his wonderful works to others, who themselves remain strangers to his saving grace. May we be doers, as well as believers of his word, least at the last we should be found to have deceived ourselves.