Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Daniel 6:21
Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live forever.
21. O king, live for ever ] cf. Dan 6:6.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live forever – The common form of salutation in addressing the king. See the note at Dan 2:4. There might be more than mere form in this, for Daniel may have been aware of the true source of the calamities that had come upon him, and of the innocence of the king in the matter; and he doubtless recalled the interest which the king had shown in him when about to be cast into the den of lions, and his expression of confidence that his God would be able to deliver him Dan 6:16, and he could not but have been favorably impressed by the solicitude which the monarch now showed for his welfare in thus early visiting him, and by his anxiety to know whether he were still alive.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Dan 6:21-22
My Lord hath sent His Angel.
Daniels Marvellous Deliverances
These words are Daniels religious and thankful acknowledgment of his deliverance.
1. Here is a reverend compellation. O king. Darius was a heathen prince; an enemy to Gods people; and he here makes a wicked law, forbidding religion, and inforcing to idolatry. Yet the prophet acknowledges and honours him, as his king and sovereign.
2. A loyal and pious salutation. Live for ever. He prays for him, wishes him both length and prosperity of life here, and eternity of life and felicity hereafter. He upbraids not the king with tyranny and impiety; charges him not with the cruelty of his usage; threatens him not with vengeance, and judgments from God. He will not pray to the king, but he ceases not to pray for him.
3. Thankful declaration of his marvellous deliverance.
(1) The author; My God. Two things: his helper–God. His hold that he lays upon this helper. My God, by special service and religion, the God of my faith, and piety, and devotion; by special trust and affiance; by present evidence and experience; by resolution, and engagements of holy thankfulness.
(2) The Instrument. Sent His angel. Not my angel, but Gods angel. It is not the angel came, but God sent him. This ministry of an angel, in the delivering of Daniel, adds unto it three excellencies. It makes a comfortable deliverance. As a forlorn and forsaken man, he is visited by an angel. It makes a glorious deliverance. Such a saint shall have not only safety, but honour. It makes an irresistible deliverance. There is no disappointing of this salvation.
(3) The manner of this deliverance: how it was wrought. He shut the mouths of the lions. God delivers not from the den, but when in it. How did he shut the mouths? By a secret power, weakening or restraining them; or by taming and allaying their fierceness; or restraining or slaking their hunger; or by making the prophet appear awful and dreadful to them.
(4) The measure of the deliverance. Complete.
(5) The motive which God graciously respected. A double innocence of the prophet. General, and particulars to this incident. (Geo. Stradling.)
Daniels Deliverance from the Den of Lions
I. THE ANTECEDENTS OF DANIELS MIRACULOUS DELIVERANCE.
1. They remind us that the penalty of greatness is the envy of inferiors. Daniel was as the sun in the Persian kingdom, showing to all who come under his influence what a good ruler really was. But the intense light of his character was too strong for men whose conduct he then condemned, and who were thus made painfully conscious of their own shortcomings.
2. Envy will seek an opportunity of false accusation. It was the envy of the Jewish rulers which was the foundation of their false accusations against Christ.
3. They remind us that it may be the penalty of moral greatness to be condemned by legal greatness. The law of a nation may be a very strong law because of its great antiquity, but it may be a very wicked law notwithstanding, and whoever obeys it may bring himself under the penalty of a much more powerful and a much older law, the law of moral rectitude–a law older than the creation of man.
II. THE MIRACLE ITSELF. The lions did not act according to the instincts of their nature. This holding back of the appetite of the lions is the more remarkable, because the instinct returned as soon as Daniels persecutors took his place in the den. Lessons:
1. The most pressing demands of business are not incompatible with daily waiting upon God in prayer.
2. Escape from trial of our constancy at one time is no guarantee that we shall not be called upon to prove it at another.
3. Sometimes disobedience to man is the highest virtue in the sight of God. When mans laws are in opposition to Gods, the breaking of them is righteousness.
4. We are in the path of obedience to God, even though the obedience leads to death. (Outlines by a London Minister.)
Daniels Preservation from the Lions
For unshaken confidence in his God, zeal in His service, and for His honour, for fearlessness in danger, and for virtuous disregard of all human power and human threatenings, when employed against God and religion, the prophet Daniel is justly conspicuous in Bible history. No character in Scripture has attained more honourable distinction. Three things deserve our attention.
I. THE CONDUCT FOR WHICH DANIEL WAS THROWN INTO THE DEN OF LIONS. Daniels enemies contrived to obtain the kings consent to a wicked decree, binding all men to abstain from worshipping any god, or asking a petition of any god or man, except the king himself, for thirty days. But the prophet, knowing that when human laws are found to clash with the divine commands, it is right to obey God rather than man, continued, regardless of consequences, to pray to his God three times a day, as he had heretofore done. In the discharge of his duty to God, he had no real cause for dismay. God, he knew, was with him. Having, therefore, faithfully performed his duty, he submits to the will of his enemies, commits himself to Him that judges righteously, and calmly and steadily leaves the event in His hands.
II. THE EXTRAORDINARY FACT RECORDED, THAT DANIEL WAS TAKEN UP OUT OF THE DEN UNHURT. By this signal preservation of the life of Daniel among the lions, God displayed at once His power over the creatures of the forest which He had made, and His care over His servants when He calls them out to suffer for His cause. Under the protection of the Almighty, Daniel was as safe in the den of lions as he would have been in the palace, and under the protection of Darius. This God is our God for ever and ever. He will still honour and preserve them that honour Him, still bear up and support His faithful people.
III. The reason assigned for the miraculous interposition of God on Daniels behalf. Because he believed in his God. Mark what honour God puts upon faith. Faith was the spring of Daniels holy obedience to God. Faith gave him peace and comfort, and brought down the angel of God into the lions den. This holy principle has never failed to attract the divine regard, and to insure the approbation of God. This subject may teach us:
1. The importance, under all circumstances, of stedfast adherence to the path of duty. Duties are ours, events are Gods. One common duty of Christians is that of calmly resting under affliction, in patient submission to the will of God.
2. The importance of steady trust in God, especially in the great event of death, that last trial of the Christian.
3. This subject affords a ground of consolation to all faithful Christians in tribulation, and to the surviving friends of the departed saints. (J. Jaques.)
Daniel taken out of the den
His case at first seemed very hard to flesh and blood. But here we see the end of the Lord. All was so over-ruled, that Daniel had no reason to repent of his conduct, or lament the result of it. How much did Daniels stedfastness conduce to the glory of God, and the advancement of his cause! Christians never honour God more than in the fires. But the result terminated in Daniels own honour and welfare. When taken up, how would every eye be drawn to him. What influence would be attached to his character! What weight to his advice and counsel! He is restored. He is promoted by his Sovereign to a higher station. And who would not have done what Darius did? He who had been faithful to his God, was more likely to be faithful to his king. This is indeed one of the ways in which Godliness naturally conduces to a mans present advantage. Constantius, the father of Constantine the Great, wished to know the character of those about him. He, therefore, called together before him, all the chiefs in his suite, and ordered them to offer Sacrifices to his gods (he was a heathen), on pain of being deprived of all their honours and functions. The trial was severe. Many sunk under it. They could not give up everything that was dear and valuable. But some were inflexible. They had bought the truth, and they would not sell it at any price. Whatever they suffered, they were resolved to have a conscience void of offence. But what happened? Those who basely complied, he drove from his presence, while those who nobly refused, he entrusted with the care of his person, and placed them in the most important offices, saying: On these men I can depend–I prize them more than all my treasures. And we know who hath said: Them that honour Me I will honour; but they that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed. (William Jay.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
He prays for the kings prosperity, though he suffered under his hand.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
21. Daniel might have indulgedin anger at the king, but does not; his sole thought is, God’s gloryhas been set forth in his deliverance.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Then said Daniel unto the king,…. Whose voice he knew, though the tone of it was so much altered:
O king, live for ever; he does not reproach him for delivering him into the hands of his enemies, and suffering him to be cast into that place, which he might have prevented, had he had more resolution; he knew it was done with reluctance, though with weakness; which he does not upbraid him with, but freely forgives him, and wishes him health, long life, and prosperity.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Here Daniel answers the king moderately and softly, although he had been cast into the cave by his command. He might have deservedly been angry and expostulated with him, because he had been so impiously deserted by him, for King Darius had found him a faithful servant, and had used his services for his own advantage. When he saw himself oppressed by unjust calumnies, the king did not take his part so heartily as he ought; and at length, being overcome by the threats of his nobles, he ordered Daniel to be cast into the pit. Daniel might, as I have said, have complained of the king’s cruelty and perfidy. He does not do this, but is silent concerning this injury, because his deliverance would sufficiently magnify the glory of God. The holy Prophet desired nothing else, except the king’s welfare, which he prays for. Although he uses the ordinary phrase, yet he speaks from his heart, when he says, O king, live for ever! that is, may God protect thy life and bless thee perpetually. Many salute their kings and even their friends in this way through mere form; but there is no doubt that Daniel heartily wished the king the enjoyment of long life and happiness. He afterwards adds,
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
‘Then Daniel said to the king, “O king live for ever. My God has sent his messenger and has shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not hurt me, because before him I was found innocent, and also before you, O king, I have done nothing that could hurt you.” ’
So well trained was Daniel in court procedure that the greeting to the king fell from his lips automatically. But then came the reproof. Daniel had been grieved and hurt. His God had sent a messenger, an angel (compare Psa 34:7; Psa 91:11-13), who had closed the mouths of the lions, for He had found Daniel innocent, as the king should have as well. He felt that his loyalty had been betrayed by the earthly king as it had been upheld by the heavenly One, and he made it known. He had been deeply hurt.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Dan 6:21. O king, live for ever lealmin, in saecula, or “long live the king;” an usual mode of addressing the monarch. When he in his turn addressed the people, it was, as we have seen, “Your peace be multiplied;” see Dan 6:25. And when the people saluted one another, it was according to the mode now practised, as Shaw tells us, among the Bedouin Arabs, “Peace be unto you.” Mr. Bruce intimates, that when individuals or clans of suspected persons meet each other, if the one party pronounces this Salam Alicum, and it is returned by the other Alicum Salam, it is a sure indication that no evil is intended on either part.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Dan 6:21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.
Ver. 21. O king, live for ever. ] Daniel doth not curse the king (as some impatient spirits would have done, and as some think the damned in hell do God), but wisheth him a long and happy life, voto amabili. He useth the ordinary form, but with a better mind. His wish of the king’s welfare was non in labris nature sed in fibris, it was from the heart, it was a holy prayer.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Dan 6:21
Dan 6:21 ThenH116 saidH4449 DanielH1841 untoH5974 the king,H4430 O king,H4430 liveH2418 for ever.H5957
Dan 6:21
Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.
How relieved and surpised Darius must have been to hear Daniel’s voice. We need to note here that Daniel recognized Darius’ voice, even though he was upset. These men had spent enough time together that they knew each other from the sounds of their voices. Daniel greeted Darius’ voice with the customary greeting of respect given to all the rulers of the time when they were addressed. There was no malice nor hint of anger in Daniel’s demeanor.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
O king: Dan 6:6, Dan 2:4, Neh 2:3
Reciprocal: 2Sa 16:16 – God save the king 1Ki 1:31 – Let my 2Ki 11:12 – and said Ezr 5:7 – all peace Dan 3:9 – O King Dan 5:10 – O king
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Dan 6:21, I have no words fully to describe the suspense in which the king must have hung after uttering the foregoing, wailing cry. He could scarcely wait long enough for Daniel to respond should he be still alive, for seconds would seem like minutes or hours. And yet, even a seemingly long silence would not be quite enough time; perhaps when a reasonable pause has passed the prisoner will speak. And again my words fail me in trying to describe (he joyous relief the king must have felt when he heard the brief but respectful salutation, O king live for ever. No tinge of bitterness or resentment, but the same attitude of respect for his earthly master be had always shown.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Dan 6:21-23. Then said Daniel Daniel knew the kings voice, though it was now a doleful voice, and spake to him with all the deference and respect that was due to him. O king, live for ever He does not reproach him for his unkindness to him, and his easiness in yielding to the malice of his persecutors; but, to show that he has heartily forgiven him, he meets him with his good wishes. Observe, reader, we must not upbraid those with the unkindnesses they have done us, who, we know, did them with reluctance, for they are very ready to upbraid themselves with them. My God hath sent his angel The same bright and glorious being that was seen with Shadrach and his companions in the fiery furnace, (see note on Dan 3:25,) had visited Daniel; and, it is likely, in a visible appearance, had enlightened the dark den, kept Daniel company all night, and had shut the lions mouths that they had not in the least hurt him. This heavenly being made even the lions den Daniels strong hold, his palace, his paradise; he never had a better night in his life. See the power of God over the fiercest creatures, and confide in his power to restrain the roaring lion, that goes about continually seeking to devour, from hurting those that are his! See the care God takes of his faithful worshippers, especially when he calls them out to suffer for him. If he keep their souls from sin, comfort their souls with his peace, and receive their souls to himself, he doth, in effect, stop the lions mouths that they cannot hurt them. Forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me Daniel, in what he had done, had not offended either against God or the king. Before him, to whom he had prayed, he had been continually upright and conscientious in the discharge of his duty, endeavouring to walk unblameably before him. And also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt He was represented to the king as disaffected to him and his government, because he had not obeyed the new law; but he could appeal to the Searcher of hearts, that he had not disobeyed it out of contumacy or stubbornness, but purely to preserve a good conscience, which is the only true principle of loyalty and obedience: see Rom 13:5. On this subject, as far as we find, Daniel had said nothing before in his own vindication, but had left it to God to clear up his integrity as the light, and God had now done it effectually, by working a miracle for his preservation. Then was the king exceeding glad To find him alive and well; and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den As Jeremiah was taken out of the dungeon: for as the decree had now been complied with, and its penalty suffered, even Daniels persecutors could not but own that the law was satisfied, though they were not; or, if it were altered, it was by a power superior to that of the Medes and Persians. And no manner of hurt was found upon him He was nowhere crushed, or torn, or scared, or hurt in any way whatever; because he believed in his God In Gods power, and love, and faithfulness; because he confided in him for protection, while he lived in obedience to his commandments.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Daniel’s voice was untroubled. He even sermonized a bit from his unlikely chapel amid his subdued animal companions. After greeting the king courteously, he explained that his God had sent His angel who had shut the lions’ mouths (cf. Heb 11:33). This may have been the same angel, or the Angel of the Lord, who had visited Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego in the fiery furnace (Dan 3:28). Daniel believed that God had had mercy on him because he had not sinned against God or Darius in what he had done. True, he had violated the king’s edict, but he had not done anything that really harmed the king. God had rewarded Daniel’s trust (Dan 6:23), which Daniel demonstrated by obeying God’s will. Darius had Daniel extracted from the den, and undoubtedly marveled that he had sustained no injuries whatsoever (cf. Dan 3:27). Compare the accounts of Peter and Paul’s releases from prison in Acts 12, 16.