Daniel 6 Commentary

“Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever. assembled: or, came tumultuously”

Craftily. Chaldean, “came tumultuously to,” &c. (Calmet) — They hoped thus to convince the king, as they were so unanimous. He would not perceive the drift of their petition, adn was flattered with the idea of being like a god. Daniel was not consulted, though on other occasions the king reposed such confidence in him, as the deputies so impudently asserted that the wish was universal! So easily are princes deceived! (Haydock)

“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. altereth not: Cald. passeth not”

It, when it is confirmed both by the king and his nobility, Esther viii. 8.

“Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.”

It. Nabuchodonosor of Babylon, and of Ninive, had both pretended to be gods; (Chap. iii. 15; Judith v. 29.) (Calmet) and Curtius (8.) remarks, “that the Persians follow the dictates of prudence as well as of piety, in worshipping their kings among the gods, the majesty of empire being its best protection.” (Haydock)

“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 .”

Before. He did not open the windows that he might be seen, as that would have been rashness; nor did many perceive what he was doing, (ver. 11.; Worthington) as it was in an upper room, but only those who rushed in. (Haydock) — It was the usual practice of the Jews, (Calmet) to pray turning towards the temple, as Solomon had directed, (3 Kings viii. 48; St. Jerome in Ezechiel viii. 16.) though it was now in ashes. (Haydock) — Daniel observed the third, sixth, and ninth hours, as the Church still does, Acts ii. 15., and x. 9. (St. Jerome)

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

Carefully. Chaldean, “came in a tumultuous manner,” as [in] verses 6 & 15. (Calmet)

“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.”

Perceiving. Chaldean, “assembled,” (Protestants; Haydock) or “came quickly in a body.” (Calmet)

“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.”

Own ring, that none of his enemies might injure Daniel. The nobles also affixed their seal, (Haydock) that the king might not liberate him. (Menochius) — All this shews that aristocracy was mixed with the monarchical form of government. Nothing of importance is done without the nobles.

“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. instruments: or, table”

Meat. Chaldean, “music,” (Calmet) or “incense.” (De Dieu.) — He was tired of his godship, to which he had unguardedly opened his heart, ver. 6. (Haydock)

“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.”

Offence, as I neglected thy decree to obey a higher Master. (Calmet) — The king had sense enough to approve of this distinction. (Haydock)

“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.”

Believed, or trusted. (Calmet) — St. Paul alludes to this miracle, Hebrews xi. 33. (Worthington)

“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. They were punished as false witnesses; (Calmet) and the king justly made them suffer what they would have inflicted on the innocent, being convinced that Daniel had only acted according to his devotion. (Worthington) — These wretches deserved to perish, though they had spoken nothing but the truth. (Haydock) — Wives. Many examples of such punishments occur, (Calmet) as it was presumed the children and wives were infected by the bad example, and would imitiate it, (Junius) if they had not concurred already. (Menochius) — This must have been the case, to make it just. (Haydock) See Joshua vii. — Abominandœ leges, says Ammianus, (23) speaking of the customs of Persia, per quas ob noxam unius omnis propinquitas perit. (Calmet)