Daniel 6:16
Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.
DANIEL 6:16
This verse records the king’s grim action: Daniel is thrown into the den of lions. The king’s decree and its enforcement reveal two dynamics. First, Darius admires Daniel’s integrity but is trapped by the consequences of the law. Second, the king’s own words—“Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee”—show a moment of personal faith mixed with political uncertainty. The opening frock of the lions’ den is a dramatic hinge in the story: will Daniel’s God prove powerful in a pagan empire? The king’s comment acknowledges Daniel’s God as a potential source of deliverance, even as he attempts to preserve royal face by enforcing the edict.
This verse emphasizes the test of faith under risk. Daniel’s perpetual devotion is not passive resignation but bold fidelity in a hostile system. It also introduces the motif of divine deliverance that will unfold in the lion’s den, illustrating that God’s power can transcend the strongest human decrees. The king’s prophetic, albeit imperfect, recognition of Daniel’s God foreshadows the broader biblical pattern: the true King God outlasts human kings and kingdoms.
When we face “den-like” situations—hostile environments, career pressures, or policies that challenge our conscience—we can take heart. Pray for courage, as Daniel did, and be prepared to face consequences for faithfulness. This could mean choosing ethical integrity in business, speaking up for the vulnerable at work, or maintaining worship and prayer even when it’s inconvenient or frowned upon. The verse invites us to trust that God sees and can act even through hostile circumstances, and that our perseverance can become a conduit for others to glimpse God’s power.
Cross-References: Psalm 46:10; Hebrews 11:33-34; Acts 12:11; 1 Peter 3:14; Daniel 3:28