Examining The Scripture CXXII: The King Stank To Himself

To understand how King Darius was effected by God rescuing Daniel from the lions den and its aftermath, we need to understand how anxiety ridden he was going into the ordeal. For all intensive purposes Darius had allowed a stupid decree, subsequently put into writing that could not be revoked even by the King himself.


Daniel being a true lover of God changed nothing about his worship or devotion to the Lord. The other officials went as a group to witness Daniel praying to God. So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree:

"Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or man except to you, O king, would be thrown into the lions' den?"

Right from the kings mouth we hear the absolutistic nature of a kings decree:

"The decree stands—in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed."

They realize that the king is now in the trap and it is sprung.

"Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day. When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed"…

This is where things get hokey with the English translations. A majority of even the literal English translations (NASB) say “he was greatly distressed”. The literal translation in Hebrew says, “he stank or was displeased [b'esh] exceedingly” [saggiy' ] with himself. The NKJV & KJV says, “is greatly displeased at himself”. Regardless what the English translation says it is clear that he was displeased not only with the situation but also his own (what appears to be) stupidity. This I imagine, created a self-loathing and self-dread knowing you are at fault for the potential death of a person you actually care about. The guilt must have been unbearable.

So, impervious to reneging, the decree is carried out and Daniel is chucked in the lion’s den. Darius’ final words before the stone is put in place, "May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!" We see a vague shadow of Christ here although the buried is only one night not three days. The bitter jealousy of those who considered themselves equals to Daniel. The conspiring to destroy the one that God has given blessing to. A ruler who is basically powerless to stop the “system of the world” because the powers he deals with are bigger than he is. He is manipulated by circumstances now out of his control, all the time knowing the person’s innocence (Pilate). What looks like a guaranteed death is then covered over by a stone. The parallels continue...but I won’t.

Darius returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep. He is probably physically ill from guilt and anxiety at this point. When I say anxiety I mean fear caused by doubt. I believe Darius may have had a slim, razor thin faith that Daniel’s God may save him, just as Potiphar may have felt the same about Joseph. Why? These non-believing or marginal believers had seen the power of God working in their counterparts lives Daniel/Joseph’s before. We know for a fact that God often times does things so that, not only would Israel know that the Lord is the True God but…the other nations would also.


"Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?" ~Daniel 6:20

Daniel answered, "O king, live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king." ~Daniel 6:22

The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. When Daniel was lifted from the den, the king then took the men who had fraudulently besmirched Daniel and tossed them and their families into the den. What we see next in Scripture is quite telling

“before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.” ~Daniel 6:24


I don’t know about you but I have never seen lions on Wild Kingdom breaking the bones of their prey while eating them. They usually just tear pieces at a time a naw on the meat. This verse says they broke bones. This was a violent death. They were not only killed, they were probably torn apart, fought over and flung around like ragdolls by ferocious and ravenous lions.

Although scripture does specifically say it, we see a sort of spiritual heart change or conversion on the part of Darius. He issues a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. Darius had come to the conclusion that He was "the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions."