Darius became the ruler of Babylon. He loved Daniel and wanted to make him leader of the whole kingdom. Some of the king’s wise men were jealous.
The wise men knew that Daniel prayed to God, so they tricked the king into making a new law. Anyone who prayed to God would be thrown into a den of lions.
Daniel decided to pray to God anyway. The king’s wise men saw Daniel praying and told the king that Daniel was disobeying the law. The king realized that his wise men had tricked him. He tried to find a way to save Daniel, but the king had to follow his own law.
Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den. The king stayed up all night, fasting so that Daniel would be protected.
Early the next morning, the king ran to the lions’ den. He called out to Daniel to see if he was still alive. Daniel answered him! He told the king that God had sent an angel to shut the lions’ mouths. The lions did not harm him.
The king was glad that Daniel was safe. He punished the wise men who deceived him and put an end to the law. He taught his kingdom about the power and goodness of God.