Darius the Great
King of Persia
522–486 BC
Father
Hystaspes
Biography
Darius I (the Great) consolidated the Persian Empire after the brief reign of Cambyses II and the usurper Gaumata. He reorganized the empire into twenty satrapies, built Persepolis, and conducted campaigns against Scythia and Greece (defeated at Marathon in 490 BC). In Scripture he is most prominent in two contexts. First, in Daniel 6: his officials, jealous of Daniel, manipulated Darius into signing a law forbidding prayer to any god or man except the king for thirty days. When Daniel continued praying three times daily, he was thrown into the lions' den. Darius spent a sleepless night fasting, rushed to the den at dawn, called out anxiously to Daniel, and when Daniel answered he was overjoyed — publishing a decree that all people should tremble before the God of Daniel, "for he is the living God." Second, in Ezra 5-6: when the returned exiles were challenged in rebuilding the Temple, the matter was referred to Darius who searched the archives, found Cyrus's original decree, confirmed and extended it, and ordered the Temple's completion to be funded from the royal treasury — completed in 516 BC.
Key Events
Set 120 satraps over the kingdom and three administrators over them, with Daniel distinguished above all
Officials manipulated Darius into passing a law against prayer; Daniel was thrown to the lions; God shut the lions' mouths
Darius spent the night fasting; rushed to the den at dawn; called out to Daniel; Daniel answered; Darius was overjoyed
Published a decree that all people must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel — 'for he is the living God'
Searched the archives, found the Cyrus decree, confirmed it, ordered the Temple funded from royal treasury
The Temple was completed in the sixth year of Darius's reign, 516 BC
Spiritual Significance
Darius is a model of a secular ruler moved by divine witness to acknowledge the one true God. He did not become a worshipper of YHWH, but God's power through Daniel moved him to issue one of the most sweeping confessions of divine sovereignty by any foreign king in Scripture.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
Administrative genius, just governance, restored justice when Daniel was falsely accused, confirmed the Temple decree
Weaknesses
Was manipulated by jealous officials, signed a law against prayer without adequately investigating it
Lessons
When we remain faithful to God in seemingly hopeless circumstances, we create opportunities for God to demonstrate His reality to those in power. Daniel's faithfulness in the lions' den produced a royal proclamation praising God throughout the Persian Empire.
Related Characters
Daniel
Jewish administrator whose faith and God he witnessed
Cyrus the Great
Persian predecessor whose Temple decree he confirmed
Zerubbabel
Jewish leader overseeing Temple construction
Haggai
Prophet who encouraged Temple building during his reign
Zechariah
Prophet who encouraged Temple building during his reign