Daniel & the Lions

Item Number: P103

Size: 8 1/2" (21.6cm)

Daniel in the Lion's Den

Discover a detailed summary of Daniel's journey to the lion's den, the significance of God's presence there with him, and what it means for us today.

After King Nebuchadnezzar died, there were several kings until King Cyrus of Persia overtook Babylon in 539 BC. He set up King Darius as Viceroy in Babylon. Darius appointed 120 governors to rule the kingdom and three administrators over them—one of whom was Daniel.

The other satraps and administrators were jealous of Daniel because Darius planned to make him administrator over the whole kingdom. So they devised a plan to trick Darius into punishing Daniel. They suggested that the king make a law that if anyone prayed to any god or man besides Darius during the next 30 days, they would be thrown into the lion’s den. King Darius put the decree in writing.

When Daniel heard about the decree, he did what was his habit. He went to his room, and with the windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt and prayed thrice daily. The opponents caught him worshiping his God and told the king. Darius was greatly upset because he respected Daniel, but the law was the law. He had Daniel thrown in a den of lions. Sunday school posters and coloring sheets don’t always show it, but Daniel was about 70 years old when this occurred.

The next morning, King Darius rushed to the den and yelled inside to ask if Daniel’s God had been able to save him from the lions. Indeed he had. Darius then ordered that all in the kingdom worship Daniel’s God.