An Excellent Spirit Was in Him
Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, and the king considered setting him over the whole realm. See Daniel 6:1–3.
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God Shut the Lions' Mouths
Prophets, Faith and Miracles • Exhibit 8 of 8
Daniel distinguished himself in the kingdom because an excellent spirit was in him. Unable to find corruption or negligence in Daniel, his enemies targeted the one thing they knew would never change: his faithfulness to God. They persuaded King Darius to establish a decree forbidding petitions to anyone except the king for thirty days. Daniel knew the decree had been signed, yet he continued praying to God as he had done before.
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Daniel's enemies searched for a legitimate accusation concerning his work in the kingdom, but Scripture says they could find no charge or fault because he was faithful. They therefore designed a trap around his devotion to God.
Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, and the king considered setting him over the whole realm. See Daniel 6:1–3.
His enemies sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom but found none. They concluded that they could only find something against him concerning the law of his God. See Daniel 6:4–5.
The conspirators persuaded Darius to sign a decree that anyone making a petition to any god or man other than the king for thirty days would be cast into the lions' den. See Daniel 6:6–9.
Knowing the decree was signed, Daniel went home, opened his windows toward Jerusalem, knelt three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before God as was his custom. See Daniel 6:10.
The conspirators found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. See Daniel 6:11.
Darius was greatly displeased with himself and labored until sunset to deliver Daniel, but the decree could not be changed. See Daniel 6:12–15.
The king ordered Daniel brought and cast into the lions' den, expressing hope that the God Daniel continually served would deliver him. See Daniel 6:16.
A stone was placed over the mouth of the den and sealed with the king's signet and those of his lords. See Daniel 6:17.
Daniel later testified that God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths so they did not hurt him. See Daniel 6:22.
The king was exceedingly glad. Daniel was taken from the den, and no injury was found on him because he believed in his God. See Daniel 6:23.
The exhibit artwork deliberately places these two moments side by side: Daniel surrounded by lions yet protected by God, and the conspirators later facing the very danger they had intended for Daniel.
Daniel survived the night unharmed. He credited his deliverance directly to God, saying that God had sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths. See Daniel 6:21–23.
After Daniel was removed safely, the king commanded that the men who had accused Daniel be brought and cast into the lions' den with their families. Scripture records that the lions overpowered them before they reached the bottom of the den. See Daniel 6:24.
The second scene makes the miracle especially clear. Daniel was not spared because the lions were weak or uninterested. Their immediate attack afterward demonstrates the extraordinary nature of God's protection over Daniel.
King Darius issued a decree declaring reverence for Daniel's God, describing Him as the living God who delivers, rescues, and works signs and wonders. See Daniel 6:25–27.
Daniel did not suddenly become faithful when the crisis arrived. His faithfulness during the crisis grew from a life already devoted to God. The decree changed the law of the empire, but it did not change Daniel's relationship with the Lord. He continued praying just as he had done before.