Bible Stories for Adults

God Saves Daniel From the Lions

Daniel 4-6

Next Week - Judah Returns from Captivity (Ezra & Nehemiah)
Bible Words to Remember:
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

Who was Nebuchadnezzar and what was his relationship with the Jews?
Jeremiah 39:1, 4-9 = King of Babylon, Attacked & destroyed Jerusalem, exiled Jews
Why did he do this?
Jeremiah 25:4, 8-9 = He was doing God's work in punishing the Jews for unfaithfulness
How did the Jews feel about Nebuchadnezzar?
Jeremiah 51:34-35 = They hated him and wanted vengeance
Did the Jews ever see the vengeance they wanted?
Jeremiah 25:12-14 = Yes, but not until 70 years had passed

How did Daniel and other Judah nobility become subject to Nebuchadnezzar?
Daniel 1:1-2 = During first exile of Jehoiakim
Did Nebuchadnezzar have these noble people killed like other kings would?
Daniel 1:3-4 = No, he chose the best from them and trained them in Babylonian ways
Who were some of these best? = Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael & Azariah
Daniel 1:6-7, 17, 19-20 = Renamed Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego
How did Daniel become an official in the Babylonian kingdom?
Daniel 2:26-28, 48 = God revealed N's dream thru Daniel, Neb named D as high official
What was the purpose of the dream?
Daniel 2:47 = To begin Nebuchadnezzar's faith & spread God's name through the world

What was happening in Babylon when God gave Nebuchadnezzar a second dream?
Daniel 4:4-5 = Nothing, Nebuchadnezzar was content & prosperous
How did Daniel get involved?
Daniel 4:6-9 = Wise men couldn't interpret, Neb told Daniel since God was in him
What was the dream?
Daniel 4:10-14 = A huge tree covered the earth with shelter, angel commanded it cut down
How did the dream change strangely for its finish?
Daniel 4:15-16 = Tree stump changed into a man given mind of an animal for 7 years
Was Nebuchadnezzar given any reason to think this dream had a special meaning?
Daniel 4:17 = He was told it was a decision from God, the Most High

Did the dream have a good or bad meaning?
Daniel 4:19 = Daniel was afraid to tell Nebuchadnezzar its bad meaning
What was the tree?
Daniel 4:22 = Nebuchadnezzar & his greatness was the tree
What other nation had its greatness compared to an expansive tree?
Hosea 14:1, 5-7 = Israel, if it repented and returned to God
What was meant by the man with the mind of an animal?
Daniel 4:24-25 = Nebuchadnezzar would go nuts & live like an animal 7 years
Why was the tree stump left in the ground?
Daniel 4:26 = Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom would be restored when he turned to God

Was there any way Nebuchadnezzar could prevent this from happening?
Daniel 4:27 = Yes, Renounce his sins & be righteous & faithful
Did Nebuchadnezzar turn to God or did the curses of the dream happen?
Daniel 4:28-31, 33 = He continued his evil & pride for 1 year, then went crazy per dream
Did Nebuchadnezzar regain his sanity after the prescribed 7 years?
Daniel 4:34, 36 = Yes, and his kingdom & honor were returned

Did the dream & fulfillment have its desired effect of turning Nebuchadnezzar to God?
Daniel 4:37 = Yes, he praised God
How sincere and enthusiastic was Nebuchadnezzar's praise for God?
Daniel 4:1-3 = He documented the story & his praise in a letter to all the world

Nebuchadnezzar was succeeded by son, Nabonidus in 562 BC
Nabonidus retired to Arabia, left his son Belshazzar in charge
Belshazzar meant Bel protect the king - Bel was Babylon's chief god
How faithful was Nebuchadnezzar's grandson, Belshazzar?
Daniel 5:1-4 = Used temple goblets at party to drink toasts to gods
How was Belshazzar suddenly sobered up?
Daniel 5:5-6 = Saw hand write words on the wall (white plaster)

How did Daniel enter the scene?
Daniel 5:8-12 = Wise men couldn't interpret, queen mother remembered Daniel's ability
How did Belshazzar try to influence an interpretation and how did Daniel respond?
Daniel 5:16-17 = Offered him riches and power, Daniel declined since he worked for God
How did Daniel use the story in chapter 4 to explain Belshazzar's problem?
Daniel 5:18, 20-24 = Nebuchadnezzar turned to God, but Belshazzar desecrated God

What words were written on the wall? = Rulers in descending value (N/B were co-regents)
Daniel 5:25 = Coins/weights in descending order, Parsin sounds like Persia



Word	Meaning	Coin / Weight	Ruler Symbolized
Mene	Numbered	Mina	Naboplasser
Tekel	Weighed	Shekel	Nebuchadnezzar
Parsin	Divided	Half-Shekel	Nabonidus / Belshazzar	Persia


What judgment on Belshazzar did God pronounce with these words?
Daniel 5:26-28 = Days numbered, under weight, kingdom divided
When was this judgment fulfilled?
Daniel 5:30-31 = That night, Darius Cyaxares II (Mede) took over

From historical records:
Persian army conquered Babylon in 539 BC (Judah exiled in 608 BC)
Soldiers temporarily diverted the Euphrates River & crossed dry bed
Led into city by 2 traitors during annual feast of the gods
Darius means Lord-King - Term used like Caesar or Pharaoh
Used later for Darius Hystapis (Ezra 4:5) & Darius Codomanus (Neh 12:22)

How did Darius organize his Median empire?
Daniel 6:1-2 = 120 satraps reporting to 3 admin, inc Daniel (probably ~80 yrs old)
How did God bless Daniel's work and what did others think of it?
Daniel 6:3-5 = Top leader, others jealous & tried to dig up dirt
What plan did Daniel's enemies conceive to be sure they could catch Daniel?
Daniel 6:7-9 = A decree that anyone caught praying in next month is thrown to lions

Did Daniel obey the new law or did he keep on praying?
Daniel 6:10 = He remained faithful and kept praying regularly
Was Daniel ever caught illegally praying?
Daniel 6:11-13 = Enemies caught him, reminded Darius of decree, reported Daniel's crime
How did Darius respond to Daniel's blatant disregard for the law?
Daniel 6:14 = Greatly distressed, Tried everything to repeal law
Why didn't Darius just cancel the stupid decree?
Daniel 6:15 = Against law to change a king's decree, even by king
See also Esther 1:19 and 8:8

Was Darius able to find any way to save Daniel?
Daniel 6:16-17 = No way other than trusting in God
How well did Darius sleep after putting Daniel in the lions' den?
Daniel 6:18-20 = He didn't; Ran to den at dawn hoping Daniel was ok

What had happened to Daniel in the lions' den?
Daniel 6:21-23 = God protected him for his faithfulness
Could it have been that the lions just weren't hungry?
Daniel 6:24 = No, they devoured Daniel's enemies & their families

How was God's name glorified through this story?
Daniel 6:25-27 = Darius sent decree throughout the world praising God

How else was Daniel's life blessed by God? = Given 4 visions of future
Daniel 7:1 (2-28) = 4 world powers followed by son of man
Daniel 8:1 (2-27) = Future world powers named, destroyed by god
Daniel 9:1, 21 (2-27) = Specific times given for coming of Messiah
Daniel 10:1 (10:2-12:13) = Israel's future & end times foretold