A DRAMATIC TURN OF EVENTS

A dejected Darius returned to his palace.  No musicians were brought in before him, for he was in no mood for entertainment. Instead, Darius lay awake the whole night, fasting. "His very sleep fled from him."  At dawn, Darius hastened to the lion's pit.  He cried out in a sad voice:  "O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God whom you are serving with constancy been able to rescue you from the lions?"  (Daniel 6:18-20) To his amazement-and utter relief-there was an answer!

"O king, live on even to times indefinite."  With this respectful greeting, Daniel showed that he did not harbor feelings of animosity toward his king.  He realized that the real source of his persecution was, not Darius, but the envious  high officials and satraps.  (Compare Matthew 5:44; Acts 7:60.) Daniel continued: "My own God sent his angel and shut the mouth of the lions, and they have not brought me to ruin, forasmuch as before him innocence itself was found in me; and also before you, O king, no hurtful act have I done." -Daniel 6:21, 22.

How those words must have stung Darius' conscience!   He knew all along that Daniel had done nothing to merit being thrown into the lion's pit. Darius was well aware that the high officials  and satraps had conspired to have Daniel put to death and that they had manipulated the king to achieve their selfish ends. By their insisting that "all the high officials of the kingdom" had recommended the passing of the edict, they implied that  Daniel too  had been consulted  in the matter.  Darius would deal with these devious men later. First, however, he gave the command to have Daniel lifted out of the lion's pit.  Miraculously, Daniel had not suffered so much as a single scratch! -Daniel 6:23.

Next time:  Conclusion of A DRAMATIC TURN OF EVENTS

From the book; PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999