Page 161 - Daniel

Most Bible-believing Christians feel that, until there is overwhelming
evidence to the contrary, the scriptural record should be given more
consideration than the fragmentary records, or lack of records, outside
the Bible. K. A. Kitchen has summarized the inconclusive nature of this
negative evidence, demonstrating that it does not support the sweeping

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conclusion that Daniel is in error. It must be emphasized that there is
no established fact that contradicts a person by the name of Darius the
Mede reigning over Babylon if Darius is an alternate name for a known
ruler.

DANIEL EXALTED BY DARIUS (6:1–3)

6:1–3 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps, to be
throughout the whole kingdom; and over them three presidents, of
whom Daniel was one, to whom these satraps should give account, so
that the king might suffer no loss. Then this Daniel became

distinguished above all the other presidents and satraps, because an
excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the
whole kingdom.

With the successful conquest of Babylon and the surrounding territory,
it now is appropriate for the conquerors to organize their new kingdom,
both for law and order and for the benefit of taxation that this would
allow. In such an organization, it would not be unsuitable to use
qualified men who had served previously in the Babylonian kingdom.

The conquerors did what they could to set up a friendly relationship
with the people in their power, and although Belshazzar was slain, his
father, Nabonidus, lived for some years afterward. Even some of the
gods of Babylon were honored by the conquerors. 13

Cyrus claims to have been chosen by Marduk himself to conquer
Babylon and rescue the gods of Sumer and Akkad whose temples had
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fallen into disrepair under Nabonidus. He also claims that “all the
inhabitants of Babylon as well as the entire country of Sumer and Akkad,
princes and governors (included), bowed to him and kissed his feet,
jubilant that he (had received) the kingship….” 15

Some have suggested that the figure of 120 satraps is inaccurate.