KING DARIUS' DISTRESS
Text: Daniel 6
22 October 2012
KING DARIUS’ DISTRESS
Daniel 6:18
1. He spent the night fasting
2. He did not have musicians to entertain him that night
3. He went without sleep
LEARNING THE FATE OF DANIEL
Daniel 6:19-20
1. The king went “very early in the morning” and “in haste” to the lions’ den
2. He cried out with a voice of lament
a) Daniel, servant of the living God
b) Has your God, whom you serve continually
c) (Has He) been able to deliver you from the lions?
A WONDERFUL REPLY
Daniel 6:21-22
1. O King, live forever!
2. My God sent His angel
3. And shut the lions’ mouth, so that they have not hurt me,
4. Because I was found innocent before Him;
5. And also, O King, I have done no wrong before you
DANIEL RELEASED FROM THE LIONS’ DEN
Daniel 6:23
1. Gladness of King Darius
2. Daniel was taken out of the lions’ den by royal decree
3. No injury found on him “because he believed in God”
TURNING OF THE TABLES
Daniel 6:24
1. The accusers of Daniel were cast into the lions’ den
a) Their wives
b) Their children
2. They were all killed by the lions
3. God had vindicated Daniel completely
THE DECREE OF KING DARIUS
Daniel 6:25-27
1. This decree was sent out to all who belonged to the Medo-Persian Empire
2. The God of Daniel was to be highly-esteemed
a) All were to fear Him
b) All to tremble before Him
3. Reasons for this special decree
a) He is the living God
b) Steadfast forever
c) His kingdom is indestructible
d) His dominion will endure to the end
e) He delivers and rescues
f) He works signs and wonders in heaven and earth
g) He who delivered Daniel from the power of the lions
DANIEL’S CAREER PATH
1. He prospered
2. Reigns of Darius and Cyrus