A long time ago, there lived a man named Daniel. Daniel was a very good man who loved God with all his heart and always trusted Him. He dwelt in a land called Babylonia, and the king in that land was Darius. Daniel was very clever and helped the king with many important tasks.
However, the other men in the king’s court were jealous of Daniel because the king had a lot of trust in him. They came up with a mean plan to get Daniel into trouble. They knew that Daniel prayed to God every day. So they persuaded the king to make a new law. This law stated that no one but the king was to be worshipped. Those who prayed anyway were to be thrown into a lions’ den. The king did not think long and made the law.
Daniel heard about the new law, but he was not afraid. He went home, knelt down and prayed to God as he did every day, because he loved God so much. The wicked men saw this and went quickly to the king, saying, “Daniel has broken the new law!”
The king was very sad because he liked Daniel. But the law could not be changed, so Daniel had to be thrown into the pit with the lions. The king hoped that the god whom Daniel served so faithfully would save him.
During the night the king was very restless and could not sleep. In the morning he ran to the lions’ den and cried, “Daniel, has your God saved you?”
And then he heard a voice, “Yes, my king, God has sent his angel, and the lions have done me no harm.” Daniel was safe and sound, for God had covered the mouths of all the lions.
The king was overjoyed. He had Daniel taken out of the pit and commanded that all people should now honor the God of Daniel.
Message of history
God watches over us when we trust Him, no matter what danger threatens us. He is our protector.
Bible passage
The story of Daniel in the lions’ den is found in the book of Daniel, chapter 6. Here are the relevant verses (Daniel 6:16-24) from the Schlachter 2000 translation:
*”Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king spoke up and said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve without ceasing, deliver you.” And a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the pit; and the king sealed him with his own seal and with the seal of his mighty ones, so that nothing should be changed in Daniel. Then the king went to his palace and fasted through the night; and he had no food brought to him, and sleep fled from him.
At dawn the King got up, and when it was light he hurried to the lions’ den. And as he approached the pit, he called Daniel in a sorrowful voice. The king spoke up and said to Daniel, “Daniel, you servant of the living God! Has your God, whom you serve without ceasing, been able to save you from the lions? Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the mouths of the lions so that they did not hurt me; for I was found innocent before him, and I have committed no crime against you, O king. Then the king was very glad about him, and ordered Daniel to be pulled out of the pit. And Daniel was pulled out of the pit, and no harm was found on him; for he had trusted in his God.” *
