Daniel 6:15
Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
The conspirators' renewed assembly suggests they watched Darius throughout the day, ready to prevent any attempt to circumvent the decree. Ancient Near Eastern court politics involved constant surveillance, factional maneuvering, and exploitation of legal mechanisms. Once having entrapped the king, they pressed their advantage relentlessly, ensuring he couldn't find legal escape.
The emphasis on unchangeable law reflects Persian legal philosophy where royal stability depended on decree permanence. This cultural value, generally protecting subjects from arbitrary authority, becomes here an instrument of injustice. The incident demonstrates how cultural strengths can be weaponized—every human system contains vulnerabilities that evil can exploit.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the conspirators' relentless pressure illustrate evil's persistence in pursuing the righteous, and how should this shape expectations about facing opposition?
- What does Darius's powerlessness despite absolute authority teach about human systems' ultimate inability to thwart God's purposes?
- How does Christ's condemnation through legal procedure yet vindication through resurrection provide hope when facing persecution through corrupted systems?
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Analysis & Commentary
After discovering Daniel's condemnation and spending the day seeking his deliverance (v. 14), Darius faces renewed pressure from conspirators: "assembled unto the king" uses language suggesting coordinated, forceful approach. Their reminder "the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed" weaponizes legal tradition against the king's desires, binding him to enforce his own regretted decree.
The emphatic repetition—the third mention of law's irrevocability (vv. 8, 12, 15)—drives home the trap's effectiveness. The conspirators recognize Darius's reluctance and pressure him to fulfill legal obligations despite personal wishes. Their insistence demonstrates both their malice toward Daniel and determination to prevent royal clemency. Evil often displays relentless persistence in pursuing the righteous's destruction, while Providence works through circumstances to accomplish ultimate deliverance.
This confrontation reveals the tension between earthly authority and divine sovereignty. Darius, the most powerful ruler on earth, is powerless to save one righteous man due to his own foolish decree. Yet God, working through these very constraints, will deliver Daniel miraculously, demonstrating power over both human law and natural order. This points to Christ, condemned by legal procedure yet vindicated by resurrection—human systems cannot thwart divine purposes (Acts 2:23-24).