2 and over them three commissioners (of whom Daniel was one ), that these satraps might be accountable to them, and that the king might not suffer loss . 3 Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself among the commissioners and satraps because e e he possessed an extraordinary spirit , and the king planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom . 4 Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel in regard to government affairs ; but they could find no e ground of accusation or evidence of corruption , inasmuch e e as he was faithful , and no e negligence or corruption was to be found in him. 5 Then these men said , "We will not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we find it against him with regard to the law of his God ."
6 Then these commissioners and satraps came by agreement to the king and spoke to him as follows : "King Darius , live forever ! 7 "All the commissioners of the kingdom , the prefects and the satraps , the high officials and the governors have consulted together that the king should establish a statute and enforce an injunction that anyone who makes a petition to any god or man besides e you, O king , for thirty days , shall be cast into the lions' den .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Daniel 6:2-7
Commentary on Daniel 6:1-5
(Read Daniel 6:1-5)
We notice to the glory of God, that though Daniel was now very old, yet he was able for business, and had continued faithful to his religion. It is for the glory of God, when those who profess religion, conduct themselves so that their most watchful enemies may find no occasion for blaming them, save only in the matters of their God, in which they walk according to their consciences.
Commentary on Daniel 6:6-10
(Read Daniel 6:6-10)
To forbid prayer for thirty days, is, for so long, to rob God of all the tribute he has from man, and to rob man of all the comfort he has in God. Does not every man's heart direct him, when in want or distress, to call upon God? We could not live a day without God; and can men live thirty days without prayer? Yet it is to be feared that those who, without any decree forbidding them, present no hearty, serious petitions to God for more than thirty days together, are far more numerous than those who serve him continually, with humble, thankful hearts. Persecuting laws are always made on false pretences; but it does not become Christians to make bitter complaints, or to indulge in revilings. It is good to have hours for prayer. Daniel prayed openly and avowedly; and though a man of vast business, he did not think that would excuse him from daily exercises of devotion. How inexcusable are those who have but little to do in the world, yet will not do thus much for their souls! In trying times we must take heed, lest, under pretence of discretion, we are guilty of cowardice in the cause of God. All who throw away their souls, as those certainly do that live without prayer, even if it be to save their lives, at the end will be found to be fools. Nor did Daniel only pray, and not give thanks, cutting off some part of the service to make the time of danger shorter; but he performed the whole. In a word, the duty of prayer is founded upon the sufficiency of God as an almighty Creator and Redeemer, and upon our wants as sinful creatures. To Christ we must turn our eyes. Thither let the Christian look, thither let him pray, in this land of his captivity.