What does Daniel 6:11 mean?
When Darius planned to make Daniel an even more powerful official over Babylon (Daniel 6:1–3), jealous rivals schemed to use Daniel's faith against him (Daniel 6:4–5). They conspired to trick Darius into signing an irrevocable law banning prayer, knowing Daniel would disobey out of loyalty to his God (Daniel 6:6–9). As expected, Daniel chose faithful obedience to God over fear of other men (Daniel 6:10; Acts 5:29). The conspirators converged on Daniel's house and found him praying. Since he did this publicly, and just as he'd always done, it was not difficult to catch him in the act of breaking Darius's new law.The men here are said to have "come by agreement," using the same phrasing as the way they approached Darius with a proposal for the law (Daniel 6:6). They can see Daniel praying, possibly by barging into his home or waiting in the street outside his window. This suggests a smaller group of conspirators, rather than the entire group of 122 satraps and overseers.
Scripture mentions that Daniel read the book of Jeremiah (Daniel 9:2). That prophecy was written as men like Daniel were being captured and deported into Babylon (Daniel 1:1–7). Daniel's faithfulness here suggests trust in God's promise in Jeremiah 29:12–14: "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you." Jeremiah had included this promise in a letter he had written to those who would survive the exile (Jeremiah 29:1). Praying "toward" the temple in Jerusalem became a means of exiled Jews claiming the promise of forgiveness and became a common practice afterwards (2 Chronicles 6:36–39).
Daniel 6:10–18 relates what Daniel did when he learned about Darius's law outlawing prayer to the Lord. This passage also shows Darius's reaction when he learned Daniel had violated the law, and that he had been trapped by legalism and his own ego. Daniel demonstrates his loyal, faithful character (Acts 5:29) and fearless devotion to God (Daniel 1:8, 17, 20). He maintains this even as he is convicted—correctly—of violating the law and is sealed into a pen with lions.
Babylon's new ruler organizes his territory under 120 satraps and three governors. He intends to make Daniel the most powerful of these, but jealous rivals develop a plot. Knowing Daniel's only "weakness" is loyalty to God, they trick the king into passing an irrevocable law banning prayer. Daniel knows about the law but chooses obedience to God rather than to men. Darius is anguished yet he dutifully follows the law. When Daniel miraculously survives a night in a den full of lions, Darius is elated. He condemns the conspirators to death, and the same lions tear them apart. Darius then proclaims honor on behalf of Daniel's God.
