Daniel in the Lions

The story of Daniel and the Lions is perhaps one of the better known tales from the Book of Daniel. Daniel was living in Babylon in great favor and honor with King Darius, who made him ruler over the kingdom and over other princes and nobles. Many of these men hated and resented Daniel and were always looking for a way to find fault in him so that they could accuse him to the king. But Daniel was so good and holy, that his enemies could find nothing wrong with him.

However, Daniel's enemies were determined, and they decied there was one thing they could accuse him of--the fact that he would kneel down and pray to God several times a day. So the princes went to King Darius and talked him into creating a new law in the kingdom that would forbid anyone from making a prayer or request to any god or man, except the king, for thirty days. Whoever disobeyed would be put to death.

Even though Daniel knew about the law, he continued to pray to the Lord three times a day, right in the open where everyone could see him. Daniel's enemies told the king about this. Darius was sorry because he loved and honored Daniel, and he tried hard to save him. But the enemies of Daniel said, "The law cannot be changed; Daniel has disobeyed it, and he must suffer the punishment." So King Darius ordered Daniel to be cast into the lions' den, at the same time hoping that Daniel's God would rescue him.

The king spent a restless night hoping that when he went to check on Daniel that he would still be alive and not torn to pieces by the beasts. When he called out to Daniel, the king heard Daniel say, "O king, my God has sent His angel, and hath shut the lions' months, and they have not hurt me." Darius was glad, and he ordered Daniel taken out of the den, and then the king punished the wicked accusers by throwing them down into the lions' den instead.

On these pages you'll find a number of pictures showing Daniel in the Lions' Den taken from my collection of antique Bibles and story books. You're welcomed to use these pictures in your art projects. Click on the illustrations of Daniel and the lions below to see more details about saving a free image or about purchasing the images at a higher resolution.