The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-07-26
THE SABBATH SCHOOLl
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS.
FOR JULY 80.
Subject: Daniel in tho Den Of Lionss
Daniel vi, 10-23-Golden Text: THE
Lord 10 Thy Keeper" Psalms cxxi., 81
Commentary on the Lesson. ~

Subject: Daniel in the Den Of Lionss
Daniel vi, 10.23-Golden Text: t'The
Lord 10 Thy Keeper Psalms cxxi., 81
Commentary on the Lesson. ~
Commentary.-Connect Links. DAM
iel's enemies knew that he was accustomed
to pray to his God, and they were assured
that no decree and no danger could stop
him; and by foul m cans they could secure.
his sentence to be placed in the den OF lions..
he was faithful to the king, yet he still Was
faithful to his God; and because OF his
honesty he stood In the way OF their dis
honest gains, for they made their positions
no injustice, either to the subjects or the
king. His character was constant rB--
proof. They persuaded the king to make o
decree that no one should ask . favor OF
God or OF man except OF the king himself
for q month, on penalty OF being cast among
the lions. The laws were such among tho
Persians that when once passed with tho
usual formalities, the king could not
change them at his own will.
10. "When Daniel knew that the writing
was signed" And that therefore the power
Of advising the king against 1t was taken
from him. His windows being open to-
ward jerusalem" This was NOT an actof
superstition, but recognition OF Gods;
promise to Solomon q Kings WILL, 3b-44),
WuO udu III Ills prayer NJ Tue
the temple entreated God to hear the pray.
ers OF those who might be In strange lands
or in captivity when they should turn their
faces toward their own land aud city and
the temple.
II. "These men assembled and found
Daniel praying" The spy system was wel
organized among the Medo- -Persians. They
came, perhaps, under pretense Of businesS
at the time they knew to be his usual hour
Of devotion.
IS. Daniel regardeth not thee" The
accusers do not mention the high official
station OF Daniel and his intimate official
relations with the king, but merely refer to,
bis foreign birth in order that they may
thereby bring his conduct under the suspi-S
cion Of being q political act Of rebellion I
against the royal authority.
IA. "Sore dIspleased.s Vexed at thus be-
ing overreached; for he saw that 1t was I
enmity toward Daniel and not anxiety for
the maintenance Of his authority which
had led to the plot. ~
Is. "Know. o king" Their tone was
masteriul now, for .hey felt able to CONF:
pei the king to work. their will. Kings are
the slaves OF their fatterers.
1e. "They brought Daniel" According
to Oriental custom the sentence was car
ried out on the evening of the same day
in which the accusation wasmade.
II. "Sealed It," In the days when very
few could read or write, signets were used
instead Of writing the name. The sealing
was done by the king and his lords 50 thar
neither OF them could interfere to aid or
injure Daniel without 1t being known.
IS. Passed the night fasting" The
soul Of the pleasure-lovipg king was 30
stirred that he had no care for table Or
harem. His grief was greatly increased
by his consciousness that this evil came
from his own weakness and sin. ff
10. event in haste" AstranSs spectacle
for monarch Of the world thus tc be at
tending upon condemned servant OF Cod
Yet the king had never appeared to such a.
good advantage. l
20. "Lamentable voice." Deeply dis-2
tressed and In an agony OF anxiety. He
cried out between hope and fear. Ser
want OF the living God" Darius borrowed
this phrase from Daniel; God extorttng
from an idolator a confession of the truth
"Is thy God able2" Full Of concern, yet :
trembles to ask the question, fearing to be- I
answered with the roaring OF the lions after
81. 20 king, live forever" The common ;
salutation in addressing king. There
might be more than mere form In this.
Daniel might have INDUCED in anger. at
the king but did not. His sole thought
was that Gods glory had been set forth I
In his deliverance. ~. .Ss
%. "My God hath sent His angel" Dah- .
lei had company in the den Of lions. There Z
but celestial Joy In theintercourse betweenN
Daniel and the angel In the den. Daniel 4
takes care to ascribe his dellverance to tho I
living God, that be may not be confoundedS,
with the false gods OF the heather. He
speaks Of the angel as Gods instrume1t,
not the author Of HE deliverance. Tho
same bright and glorious being that was 2
f..x x11a Ga 4r1an M =
had visited Daniel. "Shut the lionsyie
mouths" Made them peaceable COM
panions and harmless as doves. This was
a new and wonderful experience for Dan.
iel. He delighted to relate 1t to the king,
whose voice betrayed his agony. Before
him innocency was found In me-" By this
wonderful deliverance Daniel learned how
God estimated faithfulness. and how He u z,
pleased to reward 1t. God had shown
king was not sin. He had been faithful IN
what he believed to te right and In the Z:
test God declared him innocent by his
wonderful deliverance. Before thee have
done no hurt" Daniel had been misrep-
resented before the king as having evil de- \
signs against his authority, but to the king
himself Daniel declares he could not be
full to his God. It was rather true OF the
governors that they were planning hurt TO
the king, to rob him Of his best friend and
most efficient officer.
2S. 'The king was exceeding GLAD"
That the evil consequences OF his folly had
been warded off; that his best counselor
was left to stand at the head OF his govern
ment. "Commanded that they should tnSe
Daniel out" The king was no longer un-
der duty to keep Daniel In the den. Be
cause be believed in his God" In His s
power and love and faithfulness; because
be connded in Him for protection while ho !