preferred . . . the king thought . Showing that Daniel was well known to Astyages, and appreciated. an excellent spirit . Referring to the affectionate regard in which Astyages held Daniel after many years of faithful service. spirit . Hebrew. ruach. App-9 . thought = purposed. Chaldee. 'ashith. Occurs only here (426 B. C), Daniel being eighty-seven. read more
God . Chaldee. 'elah. Same as Hebrew. 'elohim. App-4 . read more
In this chapter we have the famed story of Daniel in the lion's den.The events of this chapter occurred at the beginning of the reign of Darius the Mede who preceded Cyrus as king of the Medo-Persian empire. The fact that profane history has no record of this Darius the Mede has, of course, led to all kinds of irresponsible and inaccurate allegations by Biblical critics. The two great errors current in such criticisms are (1) that this Darius was Darius Hystaspes, a supposition which would make... read more
"Then the presidents and the satraps sought to Find occasion against Daniel as touching the kingdom; but they could find no occasion nor fault, forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God. Then these presidents and satraps assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live forever. All the presidents of... read more
Daniel 6:1. It pleased Darius— That is, Cyaxares, whose father is called Assuerus, in the book of Tobit, Tob 14:15 as he is also by Daniel, chap. Dan 9:1 meaning in both places Astyages, or the king of Media, who concurred with the Assyrian monarch in the destruction of Nineveh. Herodotus and Xenophon make mention of an ancient gold coin called Δαριεκος or Daric, as is presumed by many writers, from this king; from the first Darius, according to Suidas, or one prior to Hystaspes. This coin... read more
Daniel 6:4. Sought to find occasion— Observed Daniel, if possibly they might find any fault in him, respecting those things which pertained to the king. Houbigant. read more
1. Darius—GROTEFEND has read it in the cuneiform inscriptions at Persepolis, as Darheush, that is, "Lord-King," a name applied to many of the Medo-Persian kings in common. Three of that name occur: Darius Hystaspes, 521 B.C., in whose reign the decree was carried into effect for rebuilding the temple (Ezra 4:5; Haggai 1:1); Darius Codomanus, 336 B.C., whom Alexander overcame, called "the Persian" (Haggai 1:1- :), an expression used after the rule of Macedon was set up; and Darius Cyaxares II,... read more
3. Daniel was preferred—probably because of his having so wonderfully foretold the fall of Babylon. Hence the very expression used by the queen mother on that occasion (Daniel 5:12) is here used, "because an excellent spirit was in him." king thought to set him over the whole realm—Agreeing with Darius' character, weak and averse to business, which he preferred to delegate to favorites. God overruled this to the good both of Daniel, and, through him, of His people. read more
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E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Daniel 6:2
presidents = ministers. Occurs only in this chapter. read more