DARIUS THE MEDE
Text: Daniel 6
8 October 2012
DARIUS THE MEDE
1. It is difficult to identify exactly who Darius the Mede really is:-
a) Astyages
b) Cambyses II
c) Cyrus the Great
d) Darius the Great
2. Talmud/Midrash sources
a) Darius was the uncle of and father-in-law of Cyrus
b) After Darius’ death, Cyrus took over the throne
CHANGES IN THE GOVERNMENT
1. 120 Satraps Daniel 6:1
2. 3 Governors
3. Daniel was one of the governors Daniel 6:2
DANIEL DISTINGUISHES HIMSELF
1. Daniel stood out above all the governors and satraps Daniel 6:3
2. Reasons
a) He possessed an excellent spirit Daniel 6:3b
b) He was faithful Daniel 6:4b
c) He was faultless Daniel 6:4c
3. Considered for promotion to be head of the civil service Daniel 6:3c
PLOT AGAINST DANIEL
1. Governors and satraps Daniel 6:4
2. They concluded that the only fault they could find in him was in his religious observance of the law of God
3. Proposal to King Darius by the following:- Daniel 6:7a
a) Governors
b) Satraps
c) Administrators
d) Counselors
e) Advisers
4. Content of proposal Daniel 6:7b
a) No petition may be made to any god or man
b) All petitions must be made only to King Darius
c) Anyone who breaks this law would be cast into a den of lions
5. The law of the Medes and Persians Daniel 6:8
a) Once established
b) Signed
c) It is inviolable… and cannot be altered
6. King Darius signed this proposal into law Daniel 6:9
a) He had been deceived by his court officers
b) They had used the political system to plot against Daniel