Daniel 4
 

Nebuchadnezzar sends a letter to all of the people on the earth.
 

Nebuchadnezzar, the king, is sending this to all people, nations, and languages that live on the earth. He wishes them peace. He wants to show them the miracles and signs that God has done for him. His signs and miracles are wonderful. His kingdom will last forever.
[1] Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
[2] I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.
[3] How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.
 

Nebuchadnezzar has another dream. Daniel tells him what the dream means.


He said he was sleeping in his palace. He had a dream. The dream made him afraid. The things he saw in his dream scared him.
[4] I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace:
[5] I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.


He ordered that all of the wise men of Babylon should come to him. He wanted them to tell him what his dream meant.
[6] Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream.

The magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and fortune tellers came to see Nebuchadnezzar. He told them about his dream.  They did not know what his dream meant. 
[7] Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof.


Then Daniel came to see him.  Daniel's other name was Belteshazzar (Belteshazzar was the name of one of Nebuchadnezzar's gods).  Nebuchadnezzar told him about his dream. 
[8] But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, saying,


Nebuchadnezzar said that he knows God's spirit is in Daniel (Belteshazzar). Daniel knows everything. He wants Daniel to tell him what his dream means.
[9] O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof.


In his dream, Nebuchadnezzar saw a very tall tree in the middle of the earth. The tree grew, and it was strong. It was tall enough to reach heaven. Everyone on earth could see the tree.
[10] Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great.
[11] The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:


The tree had beautiful leaves and much fruit.  There was enough fruit for everyone. The animals could sit under it in the shade. The birds lived in the branches. There was enough food for all.
[12] The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.


His dream continued.  A holy messenger came down from heaven. He told them to cut down the tree.  They should cut off the branches and shake off the leaves.  They should scatter the tree's fruit. The animals should leave from under the tree. The birds should leave from the branches.
[13] I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;
[14] He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches:
 

They should leave the stump and roots of the tree in the ground.  They should put an iron and brass band around the stump. The stump will eat the grass of the fields with the animals. The dew will get the stump wet.
[15] Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth:


The messenger said the stump's heart will be like an animal's heart.  Seven times will pass over him.
[16] Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.


This is what the holy ones said must happen.  Then the living people will know that God rules over all men. He will choose the leaders.
[17] This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
 

Nebuchadnezzar finished telling Daniel his dream. Now he wants Daniel to tell him what the dream means. The other wise men in Babylon can't tell him what it means.  But Nebuchadnezzar says that Daniel has the spirit of God.
[18] This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee.


Daniel was confused for an hour. He was upset.  Nebuchadnezzar told him not to be upset. Daniel said he wished the dream was about Nebuchadnezzar's enemies. But it is is about Nebuchadnezzar.
[19] Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.


Daniel said that Nebuchadnezzar is the tree in his dream.  The tree was strong and was as tall as heaven. Everyone in earth could see it. It's leaves were pretty, and it had much fruit.  Animals stayed under the tree, and birds lived in the tree's branches. The tree had food for everyone.
[20] The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth;
[21] Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation:


Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom has grown and is very strong. His kingdom reaches to heaven.  His control reaches to the end of the earth.
[22] It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.
 

In his dream, the king saw a holy messenger coming down from heaven. The holy messenger said to cut the tree down and destroy it. But he said to leave the stump of the tree and the roots in he ground. They should put a band of iron and brass around the stump. It should be wet with dew. It should eat the grass with the animals. Seven times will pass over him.
[23] And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;


Daniel tells what the dream means. The message comes from the Lord God.  People will come and make Nebuchadnezzar leave. He will live with the animals in the field. He will eat grass like oxen. He will get wet with dew.  Seven times will pass over him. Then he will know that God chooses the leaders on earth.
[24] This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:
[25] That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.


In his dream, they left the stump and the tree roots in the ground. Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom will still be there, too.  Then he will know that God in heaven rules the earth.
[26] And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.


Daniel tells the king that he should stop sinning. He should start showing mercy and helping the poor people.  If he does that, he will have peace for a longer time.
[27] Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.

 

Nebuchadnezzar is put out of the palace and lives outside.


12 months later, this is what happened to Nebuchadnezzar. He was walking in his palace. He said that Babylon was great. He said he built Babylon as the royal city of Babylonia. He said he built it with his power and for his honor.
[28] All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.
[29] At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.
[30] The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?


While he was saying this, he heard a voice from heaven.  The voice told him that his kingdom was gone.  The people will drive him away. He will live with the animals. He will eat grass like an ox.  Seven times will pass over him, and then he will know that God rules over all men. God chooses the rulers.
[31] While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.
[32] And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.


During the same hour, these things happened.  He was driven away, and was with the animals. He ate grass with oxen.  His body was wet from dew from the sky. His hair and fingernails grew long. His hair looked like eagles' feathers. His fingernails were long like birds' claws.
[33] The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.


After a time, Nebuchadnezzar looked up to heaven.  Then he understood again. He blessed and praised God who lives forever. He said that God's kingdom will last forever.
[34] And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:


Nebuchanezzar said that the people on the earth are not at all equal to God.  God controls the army of heaven and the people on earth.
[35] And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?


His ability to think came back to him.  Also, his honor and royal appearance came back. His leaders and advisors came to talk to him. He became the king again. He was a stronger king than he was before.
[36] At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellers and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.


Nebuchadnezzar now praises and honors God, the king of heaven. He says that all of God's works are true. He is fair, and He can destroy anyone that is vain or too proud.
[37] Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
 

Daniel 5


Belshazzar sees a hand writing on the wall.  Daniel tells him what the writing means.
 

King Belshazzar had a very big dinner. A thousand of his leaders came and drank wine with him.
[1] Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.

While he was drinking wine, Belshazzar made an order. He wanted the gold and silver cups from God's Temple in Jerusalem.  Nebuchadnezzar had stolen the items when he captured Jerusalem.  Belshazzar wanted to drink wine from the cups.  He also wanted his princes, wives, and concubines (mistresses) to drink out of them. 
[2] Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.
 

The king's helpers brought the golden cups to Belshazzar. The golden cups were from God's Temple in Jerusalem. The king, the princes, the king's wives, and the king's concubines drank wine. They praised the gods of gold, silver, brass, iron, wood, and stone.
[3] Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.
[4] They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.
 

"Belshazzar's Feast" by Rembrandt From WikiPaintings.org

In the same hour, the king saw a man's hand writing on the wall near the candle.
[5] In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.


The king became scared. He looked bad, and he started shaking. His knees were knocking together.
[6] Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.


The king yelled for the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the fortune tellers to come.  He said that whoever told him what the writing meant would get rewards. They would get red clothes, a gold chain, and will be the third highest man in the kingdom.
[7] The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.


The king's wise men came in, but they could not read the writing on the wall. They could not tell the king what it meant.
[8] Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.


The king was very upset. He looked bad. His leaders were surprised.
[9] Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied.


The queen heard the king and his leaders. She came into the dinner. She told the king not to worry or be upset. She told him there is a man in the kingdom who can help him.  The man has the spirit of God. When Nebuchadnezzar was king, he saw that the man could understand things.  Nebuchadnezzar made the man the leader of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and fortune tellers.
[10] Now the queen, by reason of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed:
[11] There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers;
[12] Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation.


The helpers brought Daniel to the king.  The king talked to Daniel. He asked him if he was Daniel the Jewish man who Nebuchadnezzar brought from Judah.
[13] Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry?


The king said he had heard of Daniel. He knew that the spirit of God is in him. He is very smart and has light and understanding.
[14] I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee.


The king said that his wise men and astrologers could not read the writing on the wall. They could not tell the king what it meant.
[15] And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing:


The king said he heard that Daniel can interpret things. The wants him to read the writing on the wall.  If he can read it and tell him what it says, the king will give him clothes of red cloth and a gold chain. The king will make him the third highest man in the kingdom.
[16] And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.


Daniel said the king can give the rewards to someone else.  He will read the writing and tell the king what it means.
[17] Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.


Daniel told Belshazzar that God gave Nebuchadnezzar a kingdom, glory, honor, and power.
[18] O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour:


Nebuchadnezzar was powerful. All people in other nations and who spoke other languages were afraid of him.  Nebuchadnezzar was so powerful that he could choose who to kill and who to keep alive.  He could choose who to build up and who to take down.
[19] And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down.


But when Nebuchadnezzar was too proud and vain, God took him down. He was not king anymore. He did not have glory.  He was driven away from people. He was like an animal. He lived with the wild donkeys. He ate grass like oxen.  He was wet because of the dew from heaven.  After this, he knew that God in heaven is the most powerful. He chooses the kings for the countries on earth.
[20] But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:
[21] And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.
 

Daniel said that Belshazzar knew about all of that, but he is still vain and proud.
[22] And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this;


Daniel said that Belshazzar has gone against God. He is using the the gold cups and bowls from God's Temple.  He and the other people have been drinking wine from them. He has praised the gods of silver, gold, brass, iron, wood, and stone. He can't see, hear, or know those false gods. But he has not praised God.  God holds his breath in his hands. God controls everything that happens.
[23] But hast lifted up thyself against the LORD of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:
 

Graphic from BibleExplained.com

Belshazzar should have praised God. That is why God sent the hand to write the message.  The hand wrote these words:  MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.
[24] Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written.
[25] And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.
 

This is what the words mean:  MENE--God is bringing an end to Belshazzar's kingdom, TEKEL-- God looked at Belshazzar and saw that he was not good, PERES (a form of the word  UPHARSIN) -- Belshazzar's kingdom will be divided. Part of the kingdom will go to the people named the Medes. The other part will go to the people named the Persians.
[26] This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.
[27] TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.
[28] PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.


Belshazzar gave an order. He ordered that Daniel should have new red clothes and a gold necklace. He was made the 3rd most important person in the kingdom.
[29] Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.


That night, Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans, was murdered.
[30] In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.


A man of the Mede people named Darius became the new king. He was 62 years old.
[31] And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.
 

---

Daniel 6


Darius becomes king. He puts Daniel into a den of lions.

Darius set up princes to help control his kingdom.  He set up 120 princes. There were 3 presidents over the 120 princes. Daniel was the first president. The presidents and the princes watched the kingdom. They made sure that the king did not have any trouble.
[1] It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom;
[2] And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.
 

Daniel was the most respected president or prince.  He was very skilled with managing the kingdom's business. The king planned to put him in charge over the whole kingdom.
[3] Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.
 

The other presidents and princes tried to find something wrong with Daniel's work. But he didn't do anything wrong. He was faithful to his work for the kingdom.
[4] Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.
 

The other leaders said they could only find one thing against Daniel.  The only thing they could find was that Daniel followed God's laws.
[5] Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.


The other leaders went to see the king. They told him that they all decided to make a new order.  Their order said that for 30 days, all people must pray to the king only. They cannot pray to God or pray to another man. If someone prays to God or another man, he will be thrown into the lions' place. 
[6] Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.
[7] All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellers, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.

They told the king he should write the order. Then it cannot be changed. It will be part of the laws of the Medes and Persians.
[8] 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.

Darius wrote the order and signed it.
[9] Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.


Daniel heard about the order. He knew the king signed it. Then he went into his house. He prayed to God like he always prayed. His window was open and faced toward Jerusalem. He got on his knees three times a day. He thanked God for his blessings.
[10] 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.


The other leaders got together. They found Daniel praying to God.
[11] Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.


The other leaders went to see the king.  They asked the king if he made an order that no one should pray to God or another man. The king said that he had made that order. It is part of the laws of the Medes and Persians and cannot be changed.
[12] Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true,
according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.


Then the other leaders told the king that Daniel had been praying to God three times a day.
[13] Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.


The king was upset with himself. He tried to save Daniel.  He worked to try and save him until the sun went down.
[14] Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.


The other leaders reminded the king that his law can't be changed.
[15] 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.
 

The king ordered that Daniel should be thrown in with the lions in their den. The king talked to Daniel and told him that God would save him.
[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.


After Daniel was put in the den, they put a big rock over the door. The king sealed the rock and pressed his ring into the seal. The other leaders also pressed their rings into the seal.  That showed that it was the king's order and the order could not be changed.
[17] 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.


The king went back to his palace. He fasted all night (did not eat).  He did not sleep. He did not have music played to him.
[18] 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.

 

"Daniel in the Lions' Den" from www.coolnotions.com The Story of the Bible by Charles Foster copyright 1873, 1877, & 1884 by Charles Foster. Drawings by F.B. Schell and others

Early the next morning, the king got up. He hurried up and went to the lions' den.
[19] Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.


When he got to the den, he cried for Daniel.  He said that Daniel was the servant of the living God. He served God every day. He asked if God saved him from the lions.
[20] And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?


Then Daniel spoke. He said that God sent His angel and the angel closed the lions' mouths. He said that God saved him because he did nothing wrong. He did not do anything wrong to the king.
[21] Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.
[22] 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.
 

The king was very happy. He told his helpers to get Daniel out of the lions' den.  So they got Daniel out. He was not hurt at all because he believed in God.
[23] 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.
 

Then the king made a new command. He got the men who accused Daniel.  They threw those men into the lions' den.  They also threw in their wives and their children.  The lions attacked them before they even fell to the floor of the den. The lions broke their bones into pieces.
[24] 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.


Then King Darius made a new order for all of the people and countries in all the earth. He wish them all peace.  He ordered that everyone in his kingdom should obey and worship God.  He said that God is the living God. He will be the same forever. His kingdom will not be destroyed. He will rule the earth always.
[25] Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
[26] I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast   for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.

Darius said that God saved Daniel from the lions.  God saves and rescues. He makes miracles in heaven and on earth.
[27] He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.


Daniel did well while Darius was the king. He also did well while Cyrus from Persia was the king.
[28] So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.