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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Daniel 6:11-17

Here is 1. Proof made of Daniel's praying to his God, notwithstanding the late edict to the contrary (Dan. 6:11): These men assembled; the came tumultuously together, so the word is, the same that was used Dan. 6:6; borrowed from Ps. 2:1; Why do the heathen rage? They came together to visit Daniel, perhaps under pretence of business, at that time which they knew to be his usual hour of devotion; and, if they had not found him so engaged, they would have upbraided him with his faint-heartedness... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 6:17

And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den ,.... Not a heap of stones, but a single one, a very large one, sufficient to stop up the mouth of the den, that nothing might enter in at it, or be cast into it: this stone was brought by proper persons, and a sufficient number of them, according the order of the king, or his princes, or both; for what Jarchi says, of there being no stones in Babylon, only bricks, and of the angels bringing this stone out of the land of Israel, is... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 6:17

A stone was brought - All this precaution served the purposes of the Divine Providence. There could be no trick nor collusion here; if Daniel be preserved, it must be by the power of the Supreme God. The same precaution was taken by the Jews, in the case of the burial of our blessed Lord; and this very thing has served as one of the strongest proofs of the certainty of his resurrection and their unmixed wickedness. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 6:17

Verse 17 There is no doubt that God’s counsel provided that the nobles should seal the stone with their own rings, and thus close the mouth of the cave, and render the miracle more illustrious. For when the king approached on the morrow, the rings were all entire, and the seals all unbroken. Thus the preservation of this servant of God was manifestly by the aid of heaven and not by the art of men. Hence we see how boldly the king’s nobles had compelled him to perform their pleasure. For he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 6:1-24

Strength of soul. "Now when Daniel knew," etc. (verse 10). Daniel stands here before us a magnificent instance of strength of soul ( Psalms 138:3 ). We have also the advantage of seeing him contrasted with a blameworthy and contemptible weakness, as well as with something worse—with weakness passing into wickedness. I. STRENGTH . As exhibited by the saint, statesman, and prophet. See it: 1 . Advancing to the throne in common life. The new organization included a hundred and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 6:1-28

The lions' den. The story of "the lions' den" may be regarded as an instance of persecution frustrated. I. HIGH STATION OFTEN OCCASIONS SEVERE TRIALS TO RELIGIOUS FIDELITY . If it had not been for his rank and office, Daniel would have been left unmolested. There is safety in obscurity. 1 . The customs of high places are often inimical to religious fidelity. Daniel must have been tempted by fashion before he was attacked by persecution. His religious habits were... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 6:14-18

One thoughtless act brings much sorrow. King Darius was free from many bad qualities which have stained the reputation of other monarchs. He had more gentleness and kindness—had more regard for the interests of others—than most Oriental kings. Yet he had grave faults also. He was too fond of ease. He was too ready to allow others to take the responsibility which of right belonged to him. To share the responsibilities of government with competent statesmen is an advantage to all; but his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 6:17

And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel. The Septuagint text begins, according to Tischendorf, with a passage elsewhere considered, "And the king was grieved, and commanded to cast Daniel into the den of lions, according to the decree which he had made concerning him." This is repeated from the fourteenth verse, where it appears alike in... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 6:17

And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den - Probably a large flat stone sufficient to cover the mouth of the cave, and so heavy that Daniel could not remove it from within and escape. It was usual then, as it is now, to close up the entrance to sepulchres with a large stone. See John 11:38; Matthew 27:60. It would be natural to endeavor to secure this vault or den in the same way - on the one hand so that Daniel could not escape from within, and on the other so that none of... read more

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