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INTRODUCTION. Darius the Mede was appointed governor of Babylon by Cyrus, king of the Medes and Persians who was the conqueror of Babylon in 539 B. C. Darius appointed 120 princes or satraps over the kingdom, and placed three presidents or governors over the satraps of whom Daniel was one.
Because Darius favored Daniel for his excellence, the other two presidents (governors) were jealous and attempted to discredit Daniel. When they could find no fault in Daniel, they tricked Darius into making a royal law that no one could make a petition of any god or man for thirty days except of the king (Darius). Anyone disobeying this law would be cast into a den of lions.
In spite of this law, Daniel courageously continued to pray to God three times daily at his window which was opened toward Jerusalem. The jealous men reported this to Darius, who was greatly displeased by the trickery and tried to find a way to deliver Daniel. However, since the law of the Medes and Persians could not be changed, Daniel was cast into the den of lions.
Darius spent the night fasting, and very early in the morning went to the lions' den to determine Daniel's fate. When Daniel emerged unhurt, the king commanded that the men who had accused Daniel be cast into the den of lions. Before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions broke them in pieces.
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