Jews who lived at Jerusalem went to the temple to pray, but those at a distance turned their faces toward Jerusalem, as if gazing on the "holy of holies" while they spoke with God. The stated hours for prayer were nine o'clock in the morning (the hour of the morning sacrifice), twelve o'clock noon, and three o'clock in the afternoon (the hour for evening service).

Daniel's enemies kept watch, and found that he was in the habit of praying to his God three times a day. And they went to the king and asked him if he had not made a law that whoever asked a favor of any one, except the king, for thirty days, should be cast into the den of lions. The king said he had made the law, and it could not be changed.

Then the men said that Daniel had paid no heed to the law but had kept on praying three times a day.

When the king heard these words he was vexed with himself for having made such a law, and he tried in every way to save Daniel's life, for he was very fond of him. But the chief men of his court said that no law the king had made could be changed. Therefore the king commanded that Daniel should be thrown into the den of lions. And he spoke to Daniel, and said, Thy God, whom thou dost serve continually, will deliver thee. And a stone was brought and laid at the mouth of the den; and it was sealed with the king's seal, which no one would dare to break.

Then the king, grieved and ashamed, went to the palace, and spent the night fasting; no sound of mirth or music was heard, and yet he could not close his eyes in sleep. The next morning early he went in haste to the den of lions. And when he came to the den, he cried out with a sad voice, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

Daniel replied, O king, live forever. My God hath sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, so that they have not hurt me; for he knew that I had not sinned against him, nor done thee any wrong, O king.

Then was the king very glad to find that Daniel was alive and safe, and he commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. And he was taken out, and not the least scratch was found upon him, because he believed in God and trusted to his care and protection.

And the king commanded that the enemies of Daniel, with their wives and children, should be thrown into the den of lions. And the lions soon mastered and destroyed them all.

Then King Darius made a law that every one in his kingdom should honor the God of Daniel. For he was the living God, steadfast forever, who had power to work miracles, and had delivered Daniel from the den of lions.

After this Daniel held the highest posts of honor during the reign of Darius, and also of Cyrus. He had a great many wonderful visions which he wrote down in a book, and he was the most celebrated prophet of that period.

Daniel lived to a good old age, and during his lifetime many of the Jews made their way back to Palestine and lived there in peace and comfort.

The name Daniel signifies, God is my Judge.

When Darius had been king of the Medes and Persians for two years he died, and Cyrus took his place. In the first year of his reign God put it into his heart to give the captive Jews their freedom.