Daniel 6

“It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom;” The number hundred makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the…” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king…” Naming Daniel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find…” Naming Daniel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.” Naming Darius and King keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and…” Naming Medes and Persians keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber…” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.” Naming Daniel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king’s decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah…” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver…” Naming Daniel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians…” Naming Know and Medes keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the…” Naming Daniel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him…” The line’s distinctive content terms include fasting, instruments, king. Its relationship to verses 17 and 19 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.” The line’s distinctive content terms include arose, early, haste. Its relationship to verses 18 and 20 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.” Naming Daniel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto…” Naming Darius and Peace keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from…” Naming Daniel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.