LESSON 9 - Confrontation in the Royal Court—Daniel 4-6

Daniel was in a unique place in the royal courts of Babylon. He was an outsider, one of the exiles from conquered Judah, yet his skills in administration made him very desirable as a leader. God had favored him from the beginning in this position, both by granting him special wisdom for the work and by revealing dreams (1:17). Daniel was able to be the harbinger of bad news, yet keep his position. He had enemies because of his gifts, but survived their schemes.

Three incidents in chapters 4-6 show confrontation in the royal courts in which Daniel emerges unscathed. All show that God was with Daniel in his leadership. In Daniel 4, written in the form of a letter from Nebuchadnezzar to the peoples around the world (many of them conquered by Babylon), the king explains what had happened to him. Nebuchadnezzar had another troubling dream which his usual wise men (astrologers, magicians, etc.) were unable to explain, so Daniel is called. It was a dream of a gigantic tree, beautiful and majestic, that was cut down on orders of a voice from heaven.

God revealed the interpretation to Daniel. Even though it was against the king, Daniel told him the meaning. Nebuchadnezzar was the tree, but because of his pride and arrogance, God would bring Nebuchadnezzar to a form of insanity in which he would live and act like an animal for a period of time, that is, until he acknowledged God. This all takes place, and Nebuchadnezzar writes this letter to acknowledge and glorify God.

There are no specific records that have been found in Babylonian literature of this event. However, it is not too surprising. What king would want to have this recorded for posterity in his official court records? Ancient nations tended to only keep records of the positive things in their history.

Belshazzar was a co-regent with Nabonidus, both successors of Nebuchadnezzar. Chapter 5 relates a huge banquet that Belshazzar gave. God brought judgment on the Babylonian kingdom as they used items that had been taken from the temple in Jerusalem at that banquet. God caused a hand to appear and write on wall. It was a frightening experience. Belshazzar called on the Babylonian magicians to explain, but they could not. The queen remembered that Daniel was able to interpret when others could not. Daniel was again called on to explain an event that was not favorable for the Babylonian king. Belshazzar would lose his kingdom that night (5:30); in fact, the Medes and Persians would come to power. This was the end of the “head of gold” of chapter 2, the Babylonian kingdom.

Darius was the first king of the Medo-Persian Empire. In chapter 6, Daniel once again must confront an ungodly king and nation. This time, Daniel’s enemies conspire to have the king make a law saying that people could only pray to the king. However, this would not stop a man of faith such as Daniel. It was inevitable, especially since they were purposely trying to trap him, that he would be caught. The punishment was to be thrown into a den full of hungry lions. Though King Darius was distraught at what was happening to trusted Daniel, there was nothing he could do. As explained in the text (6:8, 15), the Medes and Persians had a unique characteristic about their laws—once made, they could not be repealed, even by the king himself.

God intervened to protect Daniel for that long night with the lions (6:21-22). When Daniel was found safe the next morning, the king ordered Daniel’s accusers to suffer the fate planned for Daniel.

Open

• Review ways that God had shown favor upon Daniel in the first half of the book.
• Even though he was often required to deliver a troubling message, Daniel did it with tact and diplomacy. Are these worthwhile traits?

Examine

1. How does one explain Nebuchadnezzar’s several expressions of glory to God, while at the same time being the one who caused Judah’s downfall (see also Habakkuk 1:6 ff)? Are there examples today of those who seem to be enemies of God, yet at times they express allegiance to God?

2. What is the main point of these stories of confrontation in the royal court?

3. Consider Daniel’s leadership. How important was it in his service to God? How important are leaders in God’s kingdom?

Reflect and Apply

• What kind of faith did Daniel have to face these kings with bad news? Are there similar situations that Christians must face?
• Daniel 6 reveals again the importance of prayer for God’s people. Reflect on the place of prayer for Christians in general, for this church, and for you.