At the first light of dawnThis phrase indicates the urgency and concern of King Darius. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, dawn was often associated with new beginnings and hope. The king's actions at dawn suggest his eagerness to resolve the situation with Daniel, reflecting his troubled conscience and hope for Daniel's survival. Biblically, dawn is a time of divine intervention and new mercies, as seen in
Lamentations 3:22-23.
the king got up
The king's rising early demonstrates his personal investment in Daniel's fate. Despite being a ruler, Darius shows humility and concern for Daniel, a captive and servant. This action highlights the king's respect and affection for Daniel, who had proven himself trustworthy and faithful. It also underscores the king's internal conflict, as he had been manipulated into signing the decree that endangered Daniel.
and hurried
The urgency in the king's actions is significant. It reflects his anxiety and the hope that Daniel's God might have delivered him. This haste contrasts with the usual dignity and deliberation expected of a king, showing the depth of his concern. The king's haste can be seen as a parallel to the urgency of seeking God in times of distress, as encouraged inPsalm 63:1.
to the den of lions
The lion's den was a form of execution in ancient Persia, designed to be both terrifying and final. Archaeological evidence suggests that such dens were constructed to ensure no escape. The den symbolizes a place of trial and divine deliverance, reminiscent of other biblical accounts where God's people face seemingly insurmountable challenges, such as the fiery furnace inDaniel 3. The lions' den also serves as a type of Christ's burial and resurrection, where Jesus faced death and emerged victorious.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
King DariusThe ruler of the Medo-Persian Empire who reluctantly cast Daniel into the lions' den due to a decree he was tricked into signing.
2.
DanielA faithful servant of God and a high-ranking official in the kingdom, known for his unwavering devotion and prayer life.
3.
The Lions' DenA pit or enclosure where lions were kept, used as a means of execution for those who violated the king's decree.
4.
The DecreeAn edict that prohibited prayer to anyone except King Darius for thirty days, which Daniel defied by continuing to pray to God.
5.
The First Light of DawnThe time when King Darius, anxious and hopeful, rushed to see if Daniel had survived the night with the lions.
Teaching Points
The Power of Consistent FaithfulnessDaniel's unwavering commitment to God, even in the face of death, challenges us to remain faithful in our daily walk with God.
The Importance of PrayerDaniel's habit of prayer was central to his life. We are encouraged to cultivate a consistent prayer life, trusting in God's power and presence.
God's Sovereignty and ProtectionThe account illustrates God's control over all situations and His ability to protect His people, reminding us to trust in His sovereignty.
The Impact of a Godly TestimonyDaniel's life and faith had a profound impact on King Darius, showing that our faithfulness can influence others towards God.
Hope in Times of TrialJust as King Darius hoped for Daniel's deliverance, we can have hope in God's deliverance and faithfulness during our trials.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Daniel 6:19?
2.Why did the king rise "at the first light of dawn" in Daniel 6:19?
3.How does Daniel 6:19 demonstrate the king's concern for Daniel's well-being?
4.What does Daniel 6:19 teach about God's protection of His faithful servants?
5.How can we show similar urgency in seeking God during difficult times?
6.How does Daniel 6:19 connect with God's deliverance in other Bible stories?
7.How does Daniel 6:19 demonstrate God's protection over His faithful servants?
8.What historical evidence supports the events described in Daniel 6:19?
9.How does Daniel 6:19 reflect the theme of divine justice?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Daniel 6?
11.How did Daniel survive the lions' den unharmed?
12.Is there any historical or archaeological evidence supporting Psalm 91:10 that faithful individuals experienced literal immunity from disasters?
13.Given Romans 13:5 implies a duty to submit for conscience's sake, how do we justify civil disobedience when authorities command actions contrary to moral law?
14.In Acts 12:7-10, how can the chains supernaturally fall off Peter's wrists and prison doors open on their own without any guards noticing?What Does Daniel 6:19 Mean
At the first light of dawn“ ‘At the first light of dawn’ signals a new day, and Scripture often uses dawn as a picture of hope after a night of trial.
•Psalm 30:5 says, “Weeping may stay the night, but joy comes in the morning.”
• When the women came “very early on the first day of the week” to the empty tomb (Mark 16:2), dawn marked God’s triumph.
• After a sleepless night of worry (Daniel 6:18), King Darius instinctively looks for light—both literal sunrise and the light of a possible deliverance.
the king got upDarius rising so early underscores genuine concern for Daniel. His actions reveal that God has pricked the conscience of a pagan ruler.
• InEsther 6:1 another king lies awake, stirred by God’s providence; both scenes show rulers unable to rest until God’s servants are vindicated.
•Psalm 121:4 reminds us that our true King “will neither slumber nor sleep,” hinting that God was already at work while Darius tossed and turned.
and hurriedThe word pictures an anxious, almost desperate pace. A powerful monarch is suddenly small beside the God who shuts lions’ mouths (Hebrews 11:33).
• Like the father who “ran” to his prodigal son (Luke 15:20), Darius’ haste reflects affection and hope.
•Genesis 41:14 records Pharaoh quickly summoning Joseph from prison; swift action often precedes a divine reversal.
to the den of lionsThe king heads straight to the place of danger, expecting a sign of life where death should reign.
•Psalm 34:7 declares, “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them.” Daniel’s night among lions will prove that promise true.
• Paul later testifies, “I was delivered from the lion’s mouth” (2 Timothy 4:17), echoing Daniel’s experience and showing God still rescues.
• This den, sealed by royal decree (Daniel 6:17), becomes the stage where God’s higher law overrules human law.
summaryDaniel 6:19 portrays a worried king rushing at dawn to see whether Daniel’s God has prevailed. Every phrase points to the Lord’s sovereignty: the timing at dawn highlights hope, the king’s early rising shows providential stirring, his hurry displays longing for mercy, and the destination—the lion’s den—demonstrates that God can turn the most fearful place into a witness of His deliverance.
Verses 19, 20. -
Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Darnel O Daniel servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? "Very early" is really "the glimmer of day;" (
shapharpara). The word used occurs in the Targums. It may, however, be doubted whether the word here is not the Syriac
shapbra. The writing here presents so many peculiarities that suspicion is forced upon the reader. The first
פ is small, and the second is large. There is the further difficulty that
nogah is nearly equivalent to
shaphra. One might suspect a doublet, as Behrmann maintains, here, did not the versions indicate something like this as the meaning of this clause.
A lamentable voice (
atzeeb) seems to mean "sad" or "grieved." The version of the Septuagint shows traces of addition, "And King Darius rose early in the morning, and took with him the satraps, and went and stood at the mouth of the den of lions. Then the king called to Daniel with a loud voice, with weeping, saying, O Daniel, if thou art alive, and thy God whom thou servest continually, hath he saved thee from the lions? and have they not harmed thee?" It is possible the addition of "the satraps" may have been due to
shapharpara being read
ahashdarpnayya. Certainly if the purpose of the double scaling was what it is assigned to be in the first verse, then the satraps would accompany him; only the suggestion is such a natural one that it might readily slip into the text. Ver. 20 (21) in the LXX. has traces of expansion. The omission of
yekeel and the change of
sheezab to the finite preterite is possible enough, and may indicate that in the original text the word rendered "able" was not found. Theodotion renders ver. 19 (20) in accordance with the Massoretic reading, but, in ver. 20 (21) instead of "lamentable voice," has "strong voice," a reading that seems somewhat confirmed by the LXX. Further, he translates the interrogative
ha as if it were the Hebrew
kee, "if." The Peshitta, though agreeing in the nineteenth verse with the Massoretic, has some minor differences in the following verse - "high voice" instead of "lamentable voice," and "faithfully" instead of "continually." The Vulgate singularly inserts in ver. 20
putasne? "dost thou think?" That Darius should thus hasten in the semi-darkness of the first glimmer of dawn to the lions' den to see whether Daniel were yet alive, was but natural. As the sealing of the lions' den suggested the sealing of the holy sepulchre, so the hastening of Darius to the den in the earliest dawn suggests the action of the women who got up "a great while before day." When Darius calls Daniel the "servant of the living God," there is no necessary confession of faith in him on the part of the king. It is for him simply an act of politeness to a Deity who, if this were neglected, might resent. It is to be noted that this attribute "living" is omitted in the Septuagint.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
At the first lightבְּנָגְהָ֑א(bə·nā·ḡə·hā)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5053:Brightness, daylightof dawn,בִּשְׁפַּרְפָּרָ֖א(biš·par·pā·rā)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 8238:The dawnthe kingמַלְכָּ֔א(mal·kā)Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430:A kinggot upיְק֣וּם(yə·qūm)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6966:To arise, standand hurriedוּבְהִ֨תְבְּהָלָ֔ה(ū·ḇə·hiṯ·bə·hā·lāh)Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Verb - Hitpael - Infinitive construct
Strong's 927:To terrify, hastento the denלְגֻבָּ֥א(lə·ḡub·bā)Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 1358:A pit, denofדִֽי־(ḏî-)Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768:Who, which, that, becauselions.אַרְיָוָתָ֖א(’ar·yā·wā·ṯā)Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 744:A lion
Links
Daniel 6:19 NIVDaniel 6:19 NLTDaniel 6:19 ESVDaniel 6:19 NASBDaniel 6:19 KJV
Daniel 6:19 BibleApps.comDaniel 6:19 Biblia ParalelaDaniel 6:19 Chinese BibleDaniel 6:19 French BibleDaniel 6:19 Catholic Bible
OT Prophets: Daniel 6:19 Then the king arose very early (Dan. Da Dn) 
