Daniel in the Lions Den Story - Bible

Darius the Mede became the new king of Babylon. He chose 120 governors to rule throughout his kingdom. Over them were three managers. One of the managers was Daniel. Daniel did such a good job that the king planned to put him in charge of the whole kingdom.

The other managers and governors were jealous of Daniel. They tried to find something wrong with him, but Daniel was honest and trustworthy. He always did his work well. They could not find any reason to accuse him.

Finally, they said, 'We will never find anything against Daniel unless it is about the law of his God.' So they went to King Darius with a plan.

They said, 'King Darius, may you live forever! All the governors and managers have agreed that you should make a new law. For thirty days, anyone who prays to any god or person except you should be thrown into the lions' den. Please write this law so it cannot be changed.'

King Darius signed the law. When Daniel heard about the law, he went home. He went to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times every day, he got down on his knees and prayed to God. He did exactly what he had always done.

The men who were jealous of Daniel watched him pray. They went to the king and said, 'Daniel is not obeying your law. He still prays to his God three times every day.'

When the king heard this, he was very upset. He tried to think of a way to save Daniel. Until sunset, he worked hard to find a way out. But the men came back and said, 'Remember, King, that the law of the Medes and Persians cannot be changed.'

So the king gave the order. They brought Daniel and threw him into the lions' den. The king said to Daniel, 'May your God, whom you serve always, save you!'

A stone was brought and placed over the entrance of the den. The king sealed it with his own signet ring. Then he went back to his palace. He spent the night without eating. He could not sleep at all.

Very early the next morning, the king hurried to the lions' den. He called out in a sad voice, 'Daniel, servant of the living God! Has your God been able to save you from the lions?'

Daniel answered, 'King, may you live forever! My God sent His angel to shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me because I am innocent in God's sight. I have done nothing wrong against you either.'

The king was overjoyed! He gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. When Daniel was lifted out, not a single scratch was found on him. He was safe because he had trusted in his God.

Then the king gave another order. The men who had accused Daniel were thrown into the lions' den along with their wives and children. The lions overpowered them before they even hit the floor.

King Darius wrote a letter to all the people of every nation. He said, 'I command that everyone in my kingdom must respect and honor the God of Daniel. He is the living God. He will last forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed. He saves and rescues His people. He does miraculous signs in heaven and on earth. He has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.'

Daniel continued to do well during the rule of King Darius and King Cyrus the Persian. He trusted God no matter what. God protected him even in a den of hungry lions!

The Daniel in the Lions Den story teaches faith and courage. It shows that trust in God brings protection. This story highlights standing firm in belief.