Darius - We have just seen in the previous chapter the overthrow of Babylon by the Medes and Persians. Darius was the first king ruling for only two years. During this time, 538 - 536 B.C., the events of this chapter took place.
Over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes - It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 princes, obviously one prince per province of the Medo-Persian kingdom. It wasn’t until the victories of Cambyses and Darius Hystaspes that the kingdom was enlarged to 127 provinces as in the time of Esther. (Esther 1:1)
Over these three presidents - Over these princes was placed three presidents, thus the princes were answerable to the presidents.
Daniel was first - Daniel was placed above all of them as he was the first president.
Princes might give accounts unto them... – These princes of the provinces were to give accounts unto the three presidents so the king would have no damage or loss of revenue. This shows to us the qualities the king must have seen in Daniel, for he would have to have been honest, faithful, and have strict integrity in business matters for the king to entrust to him such a position.
Daniel was preferred above - The reason why Daniel was preferred above the other presidents and princes is given to us here. In him was an excellent spirit, thus the king set him over the whole realm for he saw this in him. We do not need to expand on this matter as we have seen the type of character that Daniel has in previous chapters.
Daniel 6:4-5 “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. 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.”
Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against... - It was at this time, when Daniel was promoted above them, their jealousy peaked. So they sought to find a fault in his dealings with the affairs of the kingdom. This was to try and bring him down from his exalted position by the king.
But they could find none occasion nor fault - There was not a single mistake or unfaithfulness found in his work, not the slightest discrepancy, neither was there any error or fault found in his person. His dealings with the kingdoms affairs were perfect and his conduct was blameless. Could this be said of us?
We are instructed in Ecclesiastes 9:10 that “whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might”, and 1 Corinthians 10:31 “whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
Against him concerning the law of his God - They realized that they were not going to find any occasion against Daniel except in one area. This was to make a law which was contrary to the law of Daniel’s God and enforce it. They themselves could see that he was faithful in serving his God. We see this situation also at the end of time when laws are made contrary to God’s and are enforced being punishable by death. (Revelation 13:8, 12, 14-15)
Daniel’s faithfulness is being tested yet again.
Daniel 6:6-9 “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 counsellors, 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 you, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. 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. 9 Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.”
Presidents and princes assembled together to the king - Margin reads tumultuously. They all assembled before the king, as if to show that this was an important matter for the king to look over.
All the presidents...have consulted together - The claim here is that all inclusively have discussed and agreed on the matter that is going to be brought before the king. Now this is a lie as Daniel was at the head of them all, but yet not present nor consulted about the matter. It was to deceive the king into thinking that there was no opposition at hand.
Royal statute, and to make a firm decree - Their object was to make a royal statute, that is a firm/mighty decree, that no person was to ask any petition of any God or man for thirty days save of the king. They were willing to go against all their own gods and religious system to secure their object of ridding Daniel.
It generally takes thirty days to form a new habit and break an old one. Thus if Daniel would continually bow to this decree it would be the forming of a new habit.
Cast into the den of lions - If not abided by it was punishable by death, being eaten alive by lions. They had watched Daniel and had seen the faultless character that he had, and seeing there was no fault to be found the only option left was to slay him. (Psalms 37:32)
O king, establish the decree - After appealing to the king’s pride through exalting him, they ask him to sign the writing so it cannot be changed. This is a law of the Medes and Persians that once it has been signed by the king it cannot be altered.
Darius signed the writing - The king was deceived. He saw only that which brought glory and honour to himself, thus he signed the decree without hesitation.
