Daniel Chapter 6 Verses 1-3

1 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom a hundred and twenty satraps, to be throughout the whole kingdom; 2 and over them three presidents, of whom Daniel was one, to whom these satraps should give account, so that the king might suffer no loss. 3 Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other presidents and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.

Cyrus was king of the Persians, and Darius was his governor. The “kingdom” over which Darius ruled was thus the old Chaldean kingdom that Cyrus had just conquered. This was the kingdom that Daniel has been concerned with so far, and he continues to refer to it as “the kingdom.”

Darius’ first responsibility was to appoint administrators over his newly won territory. He appoints 120 satraps and 3 commissioners of which Daniel becomes the chairman.

Edwin M. Yamauchi, in his book Persia and the Bible, wrote that “the satrap was in charge of all aspects of provincial rule. He levied the funds necessary for his administration and provided troops for the king.”

Daniel’s character and integrity are such that Darius plans to make him his prime minister.

If Darius answered only to Cyrus, then Daniel would have become third in power, which is what the late Belshazzar had promised him!

Why did Darius think so highly of Daniel?

1. Daniel had a good reputation.

2. He had recently made a very successful prediction concerning Belshazzar.

3. Daniel was not a Chaldean, but he was very familiar with their system.

4. Daniel was experienced. (He was at least 83 years old at this time! Most drawings showing Daniel in the lion’s den picture a much younger man, but he was actually in his 80’s.)

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