In my previous study, I mentioned the possibility that there were friendly communications between the kingdoms of Babylon and the Medes, because there existed a natural relationship between Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, and Astyages/Darius (Daniel 5:31), who was at that time the king of the Medes. Assuming this is so, it is likely that Nebuchadnezzar mentioned his dream and Daniel’s interpretation of it to his brother-in-law the king of the Medes. Knowing the circumstance surrounding the revelation of the dream and its interpretation that Nebuchadnezzar was the king of kings in the image, could have held sway over any thoughts of warfare between the two kingdoms until Nebuchadnezzar’s death. So, Daniel’s renown may have extended for decades prior to Darius actually meeting Daniel (Daniel 6), if, indeed, this (Daniel 6:1) was their first meeting!
Therefore, in the context of Darius’ writing to all the people and nations and languages under his authority, concerning Daniel’s God (Daniel 6:25; cp. verse-26), such a thing was in keeping with what kings did at that time (cp. Daniel 3:29; 4:1). Whenever something astonishing had occurred, it was communicated to the authorities serving the king, in order to cause them to understand new methods of governing that were being initiated by the king. Whether Darius’ letter was also sent to the Kingdom of the Medes and Persians, east of Babylon, can’t be determined from the text, but neither is that important. Nevertheless, it is probable that Darius did make these things known to Cyrus, his co-regent, if, indeed, Cyrus wasn’t already present in Babylon at this time.
Considering this understanding from the text, Josephus recorded that Cyrus read the prophecy of Isaiah (or had it read to him), which mentions the Lord had chosen him to release the Jews from captivity, so they could rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple.[1] If what Josephus claimed is true, then it is reasonable to believe that hearing of the miracle of Daniel being saved from the lions’ den, could have prompted Cyrus’ readings of the Jewish scriptures.
Darius made a decree in writing, which we know now couldn’t change, that “…in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel,” saying he is a living God,[2] unlike the gods of gold, silver, stone and wood etc. Moreover, this God’s kingdom is steadfast forever and cannot be destroyed. He is powerful, performing wonderous miracles in order to rescue Daniel from the mouth of the lions, when he was cast into the den to be executed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians (Daniel 6:26-27), something that no other god has been able to do (cp. Daniel 3:15, 28).
Therefore, Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and that of Cyrus the Persian. Thus, it is implied here, that prior knowledge of both Daniel and the God of the Jews was at least known through word of mouth (or writing), but the miracle of Daniel being saved out of the lions’ den convinced the kings of the Medes and the Persians that what they heard was, indeed, true. It took three miracles to convince Nebuchadnezzar of the power and supremacy of Daniel’s God, so the fact that it took only one to convince the Medes and the Persians implies they had some prior knowledge of Daniel’s God. If this is logical and true, there is no reason not to believe they had prior knowledge of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a great image (Daniel 2), and, if this is so, they knew that they, the Medes and the Persians, were the silver chest and arms of that image, and their reign was as secure as Nebuchadnezzar’s had been. Therefore, in this context, the fact that Daniel, now close to 90 years old, prospered in the reigns of Darius and Cyrus, shouldn’t be a surprise.
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[1] Josephus: Antiquities of the Jews; book 11; chapter 1; paragraphs 1 & 2.
[2] There isn’t an article in the Hebrew, so Darius’ perception of God is a god among all other gods, yet Daniel’s god is a living god.
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