An angel descended from heaven and picked him up and carried him to the pit. Without disturbing the seal, the angel lowered the navi next to Daniel. They both ate of the meal in the presence of the lions, and when they were finished the angel returned the Chavakuk to his home.
The King Returns
In the meantime, the king returned to his palace and he passed the night fasting and praying for Daniel. He loved Daniel very much, but was helpless to do anything in the face of all of his ministers and soldiers. Arising very early, he called all of his ministers and soldiers and they visited the den.
Examining the seal, they saw it was intact. The stone was removed from the pit. .
Crying out in a lamenting voice, the king said, “O Daniel, servant of the living G-d, was your G-d able to deliver you from the lions?”
They were astonished to hear Daniel’s strong voice come up from the hole. “Yes, my king,” he said, “My G-d sent His angel who shut the lions’ mouths and they have not hurt me. This proves I am innocent of any crime.”
The king was jubilant and he ordered Daniel to be taken up from the pit. Then, turning to Daniel’s accusers, he ordered them to be cast into the pit. Immediately, the lions were upon them and devoured them.
The king then issued the following decree to all of his people and nations in his domain, “Men should tremble and fear before the G-d of Daniel, for He is the living G-d and remains so forever, and His kingdom will never be destroyed until the end of time. He delivers and rescues and He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth. He has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”
Daniel was appointed second in command during the reign of Darius, and also during the reign of Cyrus the Persian.