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• LESSON 6 (February 11) • BACKGROUND: The Medo-Persian Empire was the largest the world had seen at that time. It stretched from India to Ethiopia and, during the time of Esther, was composed of 127 satrapies (Est 1:1; 8:9) —a satrap meant “protector of the empire.” In the time of Daniel, the number was 120 (6:1). Over these 120 satraps were three “high officials,” similar to the seven princes/counselors under Xerxes (Est 1:14) and Artaxerxes (Ezra 7:14). Solomon’s prayer in 1 Kings 8:35-36 may be the reason Daniel was praying toward Jerusalem (Dan 6:10). At this point in his life, Daniel was in his eighties. QUESTIONS WORTH THINKING ABOUT: 1. How would you describe the dilemma of the high officials and satraps in Daniel 6:4-5? 2. What does Daniel 6:6-9 tell us about King Darius? 3. What does Daniel 6:10 tell us about Daniel? 4. Was the accusation in Daniel 6:13 completely true? 5. What do we learn about Darius in Daniel 6:14-18? How was he different from King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 3? 6. Daniel 6:23 tells us that no harm was found on Daniel, “because he had trusted in his God.” What can we learn from this incredible account? CLOSING THOUGHT: “And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions…” (Heb 11:32-33)