We use cookies to collect general visitor statistics but not personal information. Privacy policy

Daniel episode 5: In the lions' den

Daniel decides to pray and obey God.
Contributed by David & Goliath (DG)
Story also available on our translated website: German
1
When King Nebuchadnezzar died, Darius was chosen to take his place as king. – Slide 1
2
After taking control of the Babylonian empire, King Darius divided it into 120 different provinces with a governor who ruled over each one. Over these governors, the king appointed 3 supervisors, and Daniel was one of these. – Slide 2
3
Daniel was full of wisdom and skill because the Lord was with him. So, king Darius thought of putting him in charge of the whole Kingdom. The governors and other supervisors were very envious of Daniel. – Slide 3
4
These jealous rulers wanted to find something bad about Daniel they could report to the King. So they carefully watched everything Daniel did, but they could not find anything he had done wrong, because Daniel was trustworthy. He did not cheat the king and nothing bad could be said about him. – Slide 4
5
Those plotting against Daniel spoke in whispers. ‘We will not find a single complaint against Daniel. The only way to accuse him of wrongdoing has to be related to how he obeys the laws of his God. My sources tell me that Daniel prays to his God three times each day. If Daniel puts his God above the king, we will have a reason to accuse him of wrongdoing.’ – Slide 5
6
So those jealous of Daniel went to the king with a devious plan. ‘Live forever King Darius,’ they declared, ‘You are above everyone and everything in this Kingdom, so as a sign of appreciation, the supervisors, captains, governors and other councillors at your palace want to ask you to make a royal order – that no one is to pray to anyone, but you, for 30 days. Anyone who disobeys this command will be thrown into the lions’ den. – Slide 6
7
King Darius vainly accepted and issued the law. Once made, the law could not be changed. – Slide 7
8
When Daniel found out about the King's new law, he entered his house with the windows of his upper room opened towards Jerusalem. Then, just as he had always done he knelt down to pray and praise God three times a day. – Slide 8
9
But one day, spies broke into Daniel’s house and found him worshipping and praying to God. Immediately they grabbed him and took him to the palace where they brought him before the king. <br/>‘What's going on here?’ exclaimed Darius. ‘Why do you have Daniel, and why is he tied up?’ – Slide 9
10
One of the governors began to respond arrogantly. ‘Didn’t you make a law saying that for the next 30 days, anyone who worshipped any god other than you would be thrown into the lions’ den?’ <br/>‘That is correct,’ the king answered, ‘and the law cannot be changed.’ <br/>They pointed at Daniel, ‘Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not pray to you. He worships his God and has been praying to him three times a day.’ – Slide 10
11
The King was very upset but had no choice but to throw Daniel into the lions’ den. He valued Daniel very much. Daniel was a wise and trustworthy servant. But the law could not be changed. Darius looked toward Daniel with deep regret and said, ‘Daniel, may the God you serve so faithfully save you from the lions.’ – Slide 11
12
Then with hesitation, he commanded his servants to carry out his order. – Slide 12
13
In the den the hungry lions were roaring loudly as they fiercely circled around inside. – Slide 13
14
Daniel was thrown in the lions’ den and the opening was covered with a big stone. Daniel was trapped inside with the hungry lions. – Slide 14
15
King Darius returned to his palace with a troubled heart. He could not sleep as he was thinking about Daniel. – Slide 15
16
So, early in the morning the king went quickly to the lions’ den and in a quivering voice shouted as loudly as he could. – Slide 16
17
‘Daniel servant of the living God, was your God able to save you from the lions?’ – Slide 17
18
After a few moments, a voice was heard from deep within the den. – Slide 18
19
‘May the King live forever,’ Daniel answered. ‘My God sent His Angel and closed the lions’ mouths. The lions did not hurt me because my God knows I am innocent. I never did anything wrong.’ – Slide 19
20
King Darius was so happy to find Daniel alive. With his heart full of joy the King immediately asked his servants to lift Daniel out of the lions’ den. When the king saw Daniel he was amazed. Daniel looked well and did not have a single scratch on him. – Slide 20
21
Realising that Daniel was the victim of a conspiracy, King Darius ordered that the men who accused Daniel, along with their families, be thrown into the lions’ den. – Slide 21
22
This time the Lord’s Angel was no longer in the den so they were torn apart. – Slide 22
23
King Darius decided to write a letter to all the people who lived in his Kingdom. Here is what the letter said, ‘Peace be with you. I, King Darius give the following command: In every part of my Kingdom, everyone should fear and respect the God of Daniel, for He is the living God who lives forever. His Kingdom will never be destroyed and His rule will never end. God rescues and saves. He does mighty miracles in heaven and on earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.’ – Slide 23
24
<p class="captionlinks"><a href="https://dgbiblesongs.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false">Visit the DG website</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@dgbiblestories" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false">DG Bible Stories on YouTube</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@dgbiblesongs" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false">DG Bible Songs on YouTube</a></p>Slide 24