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DARIUS THE MEDE

Text: Daniel 6
8 October 2012

DARIUS THE MEDE

1. It is difficult to identify exactly who Darius the Mede really is:-

a) Astyages

b) Cambyses II

c) Cyrus the Great

d) Darius the Great

2. Talmud/Midrash sources

a) Darius was the uncle of and father-in-law of Cyrus

b) After Darius’ death, Cyrus took over the throne

CHANGES IN THE GOVERNMENT

1. 120 Satraps Daniel 6:1

2. 3 Governors

3. Daniel was one of the governors Daniel 6:2

DANIEL DISTINGUISHES HIMSELF

1. Daniel stood out above all the governors and satraps Daniel 6:3

2. Reasons

a) He possessed an excellent spirit Daniel 6:3b

b) He was faithful Daniel 6:4b

c) He was faultless Daniel 6:4c

3. Considered for promotion to be head of the civil service Daniel 6:3c

PLOT AGAINST DANIEL

1. Governors and satraps Daniel 6:4

2. They concluded that the only fault they could find in him was in his religious observance of the law of God

3. Proposal to King Darius by the following:- Daniel 6:7a

a) Governors

b) Satraps

c) Administrators

d) Counselors

e) Advisers

4. Content of proposal Daniel 6:7b

a) No petition may be made to any god or man

b) All petitions must be made only to King Darius

c) Anyone who breaks this law would be cast into a den of lions

5. The law of the Medes and Persians Daniel 6:8

a) Once established

b) Signed

c) It is inviolable… and cannot be altered

6. King Darius signed this proposal into law Daniel 6:9

a) He had been deceived by his court officers

b) They had used the political system to plot against Daniel