The news of the condemnation of the Hebrew prophet soon spread through
all Babylon, and the hour of his execution was well known. It was the
great theme of conversation among high and low, rich and poor, and
there were but few who were not horrified at the awful doom of the man
of God.
No man in Babylon was better known or more universally beloved than the
old prime minister of Nebuchadnezzar. His long residence in the city
had rendered his name familiar to the populace, and a vast number held
him in respect bordering on veneration. His mild and friendly
deportment whenever brought into the society of the common people, had
won their affection. The poor and the needy had ever found relief at
his door. The little children even claimed the aged prophet as their
friend. He found it not beneath the dignity of his station to speak to
them in the street, put his hand on their heads, and say, “May Jehovah
bless my little children!”
In the vicinity of the first president’s mansion were seen numerous
groups of persons engaged in low conversation, while deep sorrow was
visible on every countenance. These gatherings gradually swelled to one
solid mass of human beings. The doors of the president’s house were
closed, and thick curtains’ were drawn across the lattices, and no one
as yet appeared to enter those portals. Presently the throng was in
commotion, several chariots halted before the door, and a number of
government officials alighted, and, with slow steps, and solemn
countenances, they ascended the steps, entered, and closed the door. A
peculiar gathering that! A solemn, sad throng! All conversation had
ceased. The stillness was broken by the sudden appearance of several
platoons of soldiers, who took their stand and formed a square in front
of the mansion. The door at last opened, and two uniformed officers
appeared side by side, and slowly marched out. Next appeared the
sheriff, with the prisoner leaning on his arm. On the broad platform he
waited for a moment, evidently to permit some of his near friends to
embrace him before they parted. Thick and fast they gathered around the
aged saint, with loud weeping and lamentation; but soon their cries
were drowned amid the louder lamentations of the throng. Last of all
there approached the man of God two aged women, on whose countenances
Time had tried in vain to erase marks of loveliness and beauty.
With a smile, one of the twain took the hand of the prophet, and gently
said:
“May Jehovah grant a happy night to his servant among the lions, and on
the morrow may we have a joyful meeting.”
“God bless thee, dear Perreeza!” said the man of God.
The other one now approached, and, in a mild voice, said:
“Daniel, the servant of the living God, is secure in the midst of all
his foes. He that quenched the violence of the fire, shall tame the
fury of the lions.”
“Heaven smile upon the daughter of Barzello!” was the prophet’s answer.
The procession was now formed, and soon reached the vicinity of the
lions’ den, where thousands of the inhabitants had assembled to take
the last lingering look at their aged fellow-citizen. There also was
the king himself, with a number of his most intimate nobles. The
soldiers moved forward, and a clear space was prepared in front of the
platform on which the king and his friends stood.
The countenance of the monarch was pale, and his whole appearance gave
the beholder to understand that he was one of the unhappiest of
mortals. The conspirators were not permitted to occupy the platform
with him, but were commanded to stand together on his left.
When the prisoner arrived, he gently bowed and saluted the king, which
salutation was answered only by falling tears. The throng, witnessing
the emotion of the king, gave vent to their grief, and one loud wail
ascended. Then, indeed, did those conspirators tremble! Then did they
really learn the deep hold their victim had on the popular mind. Again
the agitation was partially quieted, when the loud roaring of lions
within made the earth tremble. The awful moment was drawing nigh!
Daniel ascended some steps near by, and having had permission from the
king, proceeded, in a few words, to address the multitude:
“Babylonians! with naught of malice in my heart against any man, and
with perfect good feeling toward the king, I yield myself to the
demands of a broken law. Here, in the presence of the God of my
fathers, whom I worship, and in the presence of my king, whom I
respect, and in the presence of this throng, whose tears flow for my
sorrow, and in the presence of these mine accusers, who thirst for my
blood, I solemnly declare, that as first president in the kingdom, I
never was consulted in regard to the making of this law, that is about
to consign your aged servant to the lions. In honor to my king, who now
laments the sad fate of his unworthy president, let me also testify
that in order to persuade him to sign a decree which had never entered
his heart, the most deliberate falsehoods were poured into his ears, by
those whose only object was the overthrow of Daniel. After more than
threescore years of public service, I cheerfully submit to my fate,
knowing well that Jehovah, the God of Israel, in whom I trust, will
direct this whole matter to his own glory. Hereafter it will be known
in Babylon, that it was not the ‘safety of the Union’ that demanded the
enactment of this cruel law; but that it was conceived in envy, and
brought forth in malice, and thoughtlessly signed by our king, who
considered all his presidents to be men of benevolence, wisdom, and
understanding. For violating this law I ask no forgiveness. Sooner
would I suffer a thousand deaths than prove a traitor to the religion
of my fathers. Babylonians, I say no more! Accept my thanks for your
tears! May Jehovah continue to grant you great prosperity, when your
friend Daniel shall have passed away.”
Then turning to those whose painful duty it was to lead him to the den,
he said:
“Now I am ready.”
The executioners, with trembling hands, laid hold of the aged prisoner,
and led him to the door of the den. Again there was an awful roaring of
lions. As he passed the king on his way to the den, the monarch cried
out:
“Thy God, whom thou servest continually, he will surely deliver thee!”
The prisoner was seized with strong hands and elevated over the inner
walls, and by means of strong cords was lowered to the bottom of the
den, where the ravenous lions held their nightly revels. The
executioners, as if afraid to hear the prisoner’s dying shrieks,
hastened away. The throng soon dispersed in sorrowful silence. The
king, in deep agony of mind, entered his chariot, and was driven to the
palace.
How sad was that night for royalty! Filled with remorse for having
signed the fatal decree, and knowing not how to retrace his steps or to
retrieve the effects of his rash act, the king passed the hours in
agony. With a heavy heart and a throbbing brow, he paced the length of
his royal bedchamber, and thus did he converse with himself:
“How he justified the king, almost with his dying breath! Ah! but I
justify not myself. Why did I sign that silly and cruel decree, by
which the prime jewel of my kingdom is lost? Why did I not consider the
thing well, and consult the first president? Alas! it is now too late.
The deed is done, and there is no remedy! How the multitude sympathized
with the noble prisoner! How copious their tears and how audible their
sobs! How beloved in the estimation of the populace was that aged
Daniel! What think they by this time of _my_ prudence and wisdom? Have
I not lost in this the estimation of my people? Will his God, indeed,
deliver him? Is he not already torn by the lions? How cruel a fate for
so worthy a man! But if Daniel _is_ spared, no thanks to me! Will not
this people inwardly curse me, and wish me out of their borders? What
poor returns to _them_, for the grand reception they gave _me!_ What
will my nephew, Cyrus, think of my sagacity and power of discernment!”
Let us for a while leave the unfortunate Mede, and take a view of the
hero of the lions’ den.
When Daniel was thrust among the lions, the sun was yet one hour above
the western horizon, and the light from the top of the den, made the
interior comparatively light. When he found himself at the bottom, for
a minute he walked to and fro, then fell on his knees, and began to
pour his prayers into the ears of the God of his fathers. The lions,
quite unaccustomed to such a sight, looked on for a while in silent
wonder. Then they ran together to the other end of the den, where the
old lion of all—the “lord of the manor”—and his aged companion, the old
lioness, the mistress of the “establishment,” were, heedless of the
youthful pranks and occasional quarrels of their offspring, enjoying a
good, comfortable sleep. A loud roar from one of the youngsters, which
was answered by another louder roar from his companion, aroused the
energies of the old couple. They uttered an ill-natured growl, very
much on the same principle that anyone else would on being
unnecessarily disturbed in the midst of a nap. Perhaps the growl was
equivalent to, “Children, you are very rude. Make less noise, or I
shall attend to you!” This reproof (if reproof it was) did not seem in
the least to frighten the young lions. One of them, the one that roared
the loudest, put his head close to that of his sire, and if he said
anything, it was in so low a whisper that it could not be heard at any
distance. From what immediately followed, one might think the young
chap said something in this fashion:
[Illustration: For a moment he walked to and fro]
“Get up quickly! Come to the other end of the den, and there you will
see a sight that you never saw before in all your days. There is
another victim; but he has no more the appearance of _common_ victims
than thou hast. I know by his eye he has no fear of the lions. Why,
think! as soon as he came to the bottom of the den, he walked to and
fro among us as deliberately as my brother here, or myself, would walk
among our companions.”
After the whispering was over (if whispering it was), the old lion
uttered another growl, as much as to say, “That sounds to me rather
improbable, but I guess I will go and see for myself.” The old lion led
the way. Close by his heels followed the lioness. Next in order
followed the rest of the family. They soon arrived at the spot, and
sure enough, it was as the young lion had declared. The old lion paused
for a moment, but he soon made up his mind that there was nothing to
fear. So he slowly approached. He paused again. Daniel reached out his
hand and spoke. The lion fancied the peculiarity of that voice; so with
eyes half closed he slowly walked up to the man, and with the innocence
and harmlessness of a young spaniel, he licked the hand of the prophet.
After having partially conquered his embarrassment, he uttered another
low growl, and looked toward the rest of the company, as much as to
say, “Come this way! Don’t be afraid.”
They slowly and silently gathered around the strange visitor, and each
one appeared to be pleased to be permitted to come in contact with his
person in some way. And when the darkness of night gathered around
them, the old lion answered for Daniel’s pillow, the lioness lay at his
feet, and the young lions stretched themselves on either side, to keep
him warm; and soon the Prophet of Jehovah was fast asleep.
If ever a sleepless mortal, wearied with the tediousness of a painful
night, rejoiced to see the first glimmering dawn of the morn, King
Darius did, after that dark, dreary period of agony. No sooner was it
fairly day than the monarch ordered his chariot, and, with a number of
his nobles, he was once more on his way toward the den of lions. The
royal chariot, as it moved through the various thoroughfares, attracted
the notice of the inhabitants. Its destination was understood, and as
there was some faint hope in the minds of thousands that the God of
Daniel would miraculously interfere and save his servant, they had
accordingly held themselves in readiness to be early at the den. They,
therefore, with all haste followed in the direction of the royal train.
The king was greatly astonished to find already there a large number of
the inhabitants. The movements and excitement of the people had also
brought to the spot the six conspirators, who were greatly astonished
to see the king. The monarch, in trembling accents, ordered the stone
to be removed from the door of the den. The order was quickly obeyed.
While every eye rested upon him, the king entered and stood inside of
the outer door, and cried, in a loud voice:
“Oh, Daniel! is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver
thee from the lions?”
Oh, the breathless silence of that moment! A thousand hearts throb with
deep emotion, in painful suspense to learn the result. Hark! A voice
clear and firm ascends from the depths, and falls on the ears of the
multitude:
“O king, live forever!”
It was enough! Gladsome shouts echoed from a thousand tongues! The joy
was unbounded. Their sorrow for their old friend was turned into joy,
and the name of the God of Daniel was praised.
Immediate orders were given to bring the old Hebrew up, and soon he
stood in the presence of the king and the rejoicing throng.
Then said Daniel, turning to the king, “My God hath sent his angel, and
hath shut the mouths of the lions, that they have not hurt me;
forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before
thee, O king, have I done no hurt.”
An aged man at this moment was seen making his way through the crowd,
as if endeavoring to find admittance into the presence of the king. His
venerable appearance served to make for him room.
“We meet again, Apgomer!” cried Daniel, in a familiar, friendly voice:
and then to the king he said:
“This is my good friend Apgomer, O king, one of the few friends of my
early days. He hath words to communicate to the king, in the presence
of this throng, that will give thee to understand clearly that this law
was prepared on purpose to ensnare thy servant Daniel.”
“Let my worthy friends, Fraggood and Kinggron, with their four
companions, the princes, stand in this direction!” said the king, with
an angry expression of countenance.
The conspirators, with paleness gathering on their brows, obeyed, and
tremblingly stood facing the king.
“Now, O Daniel, thy friend Apgomer may give his testimony before the
king.”
“O king, live forever!” said Apgomer. “This day thy servant is
fourscore and ten years old. From the days of my childhood have I dwelt
in Babylon; and never for any long period have I departed hence. Soon
thy servant shall leave this world of sorrow—I stand on the verge of
the grave. At this time, with deep soberness, I appeal to the God that
dwelleth in light for the sincerity of my purpose in thus appearing
before my lord the king. My words will be few, therefore, O king, I
pray thee hear me patiently.
“These men who now stand before thee and by whose continual importunity
thou gavest thy signature for the arrest of thy servant Daniel, are
wicked and deceitful men, and with lying words have they deceived thee,
O king. Their secret devices are well known to thy servant. With mine
own ears have I listened to their midnight plotting; and from their own
lips have I learned their fixed purpose to destroy the innocent without
cause, even thy servant Daniel. For many months, O king, these cruel
men have sought an occasion against the first president, and after
having failed in every other point, they thought at last of this.
“I heard the plot described at midnight recently while resting in the
public garden. The conspiracy was led by Fraggood and Kinggron. They
were assisted by a number of the princes, among whom are Bimbokrak and
Scramgee. This foul movement has been going on for many a day, but
until last week the conspirators could not agree on a plan. At last,
Prince Scramgee brought forward a scheme, which met with the cordial
approval of the rest. And who but the chief evil spirit of the universe
could have put in his heart such a horrible measure? It was in effect
that a law be enacted that anyone who prayed to the God of Israel
should be cast into the lions’ den. When I made thy servant Daniel
acquainted with the plot against his life, his only reply was:
“‘Let them proceed in their scheme of wickedness. Let it become ripe.
The God in whom I trust shall vindicate the honor and superiority of
his own law. I might easily frustrate all their malicious designs by
acquainting the king with their cowardly plots; but the cause of
Jehovah shall gather more strength from a miraculous display of his
power in the preservation of his servant from harm. Forty years ago,
idolatry in Chaldea received a blow, from the effects of which it has
never recovered, in the miraculous deliverance of my three cousins from
the midst of a burning, fiery furnace. And if a visit to the lions for
a few hours may cause the name of Jehovah to be feared, I ask for no
greater honor. No weapon formed against the servant of Jehovah shall
prosper. Let not my good friend Apgomer be troubled. The life of Daniel
is as safe in the lions’ den as among his friends at his own home.
Therefore let them proceed with their malicious measures; let no
impediment be thrown in their way. Let them have a few days of
rejoicing, and their brief nights of merriment. Soon the day of
retribution shall overtake them; for He that is higher than the highest
shall surely avenge himself on these workers of iniquity.’”
“Believe not this man, O king!” said the pale and trembling Fraggood,
“seeing he prepareth lying words before thee.”
At this moment a young man, whose countenance denoted some passion,
rushed on the stage, and, without any apology or ceremony, began to
speak:
“Let not the worthy and aged Apgomer be called a liar! A lie never
escaped those venerable lips, O king! As soon may the gods lie! Thy
servant is the doorkeeper of the Garden. I can testify to the existence
of a plot to destroy Daniel.”
“It is enough!” cried the king. “Seize the guilty wretches! Let the
cowardly liars meet the doom they had prepared for my servant Daniel!
Up! and throw them to the lions!”
No sooner were the words spoken than a score of willing hands seized
the forms of the conspirators, and, amid the curses of an indignant
throng, they were thrown to the depth of the den, to meet a far
different fate from that of the man of God.
Then spoke the king:
“I make a decree, that in every dominion of my kingdom, men tremble and
fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and steadfast
forever, and his kingdom is that which shall not be destroyed, and his
dominion shall be even unto the end. He delivereth and rescueth, and he
worketh signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, who hath delivered
Daniel from the power of the lions.”
“O king, live forever!” cried the well pleased throng.
Daniel was taken into the royal chariot and seated by the side of the
king, and the royal train moved forward, amid the triumphant shouts of
the populace.
Thus fidelity to the God of Israel was abundantly rewarded.