1.

It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom;

Darius . A careful study of App-57 will show that this "Darius the Median" of Daniel 5:31 is the Artaxerxes (the great king) of Nehemiah 2:1 and Ezra 6:14 , and the Ahasuerus of Esther 1:1 . These names are all used of one and the same person; and by comparison of the Median kings, according to Herodotus, compared with the genealogy of Cyrus in his Cuneiform Cylinder, the important fact becomes clear that this man was ASTYAGES; and the names ARSAMES = CAMBYSES, common to Herodotus, the Behistun Rock, and the Cylinder of Cyrus, all refer to one and the same person. If this be so, and ASTYAGES is to be identified with "DARIUS the Median", then all difficulty vanishes. The Scripture record harmonizes exactly with the accounts given in the three sources named above; and we have the real clue to the parentage of Cyrus the Great ( App-57 ). If this be not so, then "Darius the Median" remains an insoluble riddle to history and chronology alike, for there can be found no place for him on the page of history.
an hundred and twenty . Darius Hystaspis, in his inscription on the Behistun Rock ( App-57 ), enumerates twenty-three names. This number was continually altered according to historical changes and conquests. In Esther 1:10 , Esther 1:13 , Esther 1:14 , there were seven when Astyages took the kingdom; but he added 120 more (Daniel 6:1 ), and made 127 (Esther 1:1 ; Esther 8:9 ; Esther 9:30 ).
princes = satraps. As in Daniel 3:2 .

2.

And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.

presidents = ministers. Occurs only in this chapter.

3.

Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

preferred . . . the king thought . Showing that Daniel was well known to Astyages, and appreciated.
an excellent spirit . Referring to the affectionate regard in which Astyages held Daniel after many years of faithful service.
spirit . Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .
thought = purposed. Chaldee. 'ashith. Occurs only here (426 B. C), Daniel being eighty-seven.

4.

Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

occasion = pretext.

5.

Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.

God . Chaldee. 'elah. Same as Hebrew. 'elohim. App-4 .

6.

Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.

assembled = came crowding together.

7.

All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellers, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.

governors = deputies.
counsellors . See note on Daniel 3:24 .
captains = pashas. See Daniel 3:2 , Daniel 3:3 , Daniel 3:27 . Compare Esther 3:12 , &c. Nehemiah 2:7 , &c.; and Ezra 5:3 , &c. Also Haggai 1:1 , Haggai 1:14 ; Haggai 2:2 , Haggai 2:21 . Mai. Daniel 1:8 .
to establish a royal statute: or, for the king to establish a statute.
make a firm decree: or, confirm a decree. Occurs only in this chapter.
decree = interdict. Chaldee ' esar . The same word as in verses: Daniel 6:8 , Daniel 6:9 , Daniel 6:12 , Daniel 8:13 , Daniel 8:15 . Not the same as in Daniel 6:26 .
ask a petition = pray a prayer. Figure of speech Polyptoton ( App-6 ), for emphasis. Compare Daniel 6:12 . Occurs only in this chapter.
man . Chaldee. 'enash. Same as Hebrew. 'enosh. App-14 .

8.

Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

which altereth not = which changeth not, or passeth not away.

9.

Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.

10.

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

his house. Not into a secret, or public place.
toward Jerusalem . Remembering Solomon's prayer (1 Kings 8:47-50 ).

11.

Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.

12.

Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

13.

Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.

children = sons. maketh his petition = prayeth a prayer. Same as in Daniel 6:7 .

14.

Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.

with himself = concerning it.
laboured = was exerting himself

15.

Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.

16.

Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.

17.

And a stone was brought and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.

mouth = door.
lords = nobles. See note on "lords" (Daniel 5:1 ), and "princes" (Daniel 5:2 ).

18.

Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.

passed the night fasting . Showing the long-standing affection which Astyages had for Daniel.
instruments of musick . Some understand the word as referring to "tables"; others, women or dancing girls.

19.

Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.

very early, &c Another evidence of the king's strong feelings for Daniel.

20.

And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

21.

Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.

22.

My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

sent His angel . As in Daniel 3:28 .
innocency = rectitude, or purity. See the Structure, p. 1178.

23.

Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.

exceeding glad . Another proof of the long-standing friendship between Astyages and Daniel.
believed in = had trusted. Chald, 'aman. Same as App-69 .

24.

And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.

accused . Compare Daniel 6:12 .Esther 7:10 . Psalms 7:15-17 .

25.

Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.

people = peoples. Compare Daniel 3:29 .

26.

I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.

decree . Chaldee. te ' am = a decision, implying the pleasure or approval with which it was made.
God . Chaldee. 'elaha (emphatic).

27.

He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

power = paw.

28.

So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Cyrus the Persian . The son of Darius the Mede. He is the young Darius, his father Astyages being the old Darius, "Darius" meaning "the Maintainer". Compare Isaiah 45:1 . See App-57 .