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Daniel
Darius
1. Darius the Mede is a figure mentioned in the biblical book of Daniel in the Old Testament. He is featured in the narrative of the famous story of Daniel in the lion's den.
2. According to the Book of Daniel, Darius was a ruler appointed by King Cyrus the Great to govern the kingdom of Babylon following its conquest by the Medo-Persian Empire. The biblical account describes Darius as a man who recognized the exceptional qualities of Daniel, a captive Israelite, and held him in high regard.
3. The most well-known story involving Darius in the Book of Daniel is the one where Daniel is thrown into a den of lions as a result of a decree that Darius unknowingly signed, which prohibited anyone from making a petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to King Darius himself. Despite his fondness for Daniel, Darius was bound by the law and reluctantly enforced the punishment.
4. After spending a night in the den, Daniel emerged unharmed, and Darius was overjoyed to find him alive. Recognizing the power of Daniel's God, Darius issued a decree praising the God of Daniel and commanded that all people in his kingdom tremble and fear before Him.
5. Darius' story in the Book of Daniel portrays him as a ruler who, despite initially being misled into making a decree against Daniel, was ultimately swayed by Daniel's faith and loyalty to his own God. Darius' acknowledgment of the power of Daniel's God and his subsequent decree exemplify the themes of divine deliverance, faithfulness, and the recognition of the sovereignty of the God of Israel.
6. The story of Darius in the Book of Daniel serves as a testament to the faithfulness of Daniel and the power of God to deliver those who trust in Him, as well as the impact of such events on the hearts of rulers and the broader populace.
