King Darius’s Regret

Daniel finished praying. He stood and walked back down the stairs.

Patrick followed the old man to the living room.

Daniel sat on the low couch. “Tell me more about this Messiah who is to come,” he said.

Patrick sat on a wool rug on the floor. “Jesus was —or will be —born in Bethlehem,” he said. “His mother was the Virgin Mary.”

Daniel’s eyes grew wide. “The prophet Isaiah foretold such an event,” he said. Daniel reached for one of the scrolls in the basket. He unrolled the paper and read, “‘Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.’”

Patrick told Daniel what he remembered about Jesus’ miracles. The old man listened carefully. He seemed glad when Patrick said that Jesus healed blind and deaf people.

“Isaiah said that would be a sign too,” Daniel said. “Go on.”

Patrick paused. “Before I tell you more about Jesus, I have a question for you,” he said.

“I will answer truthfully,” Daniel said.

“It’s about the day of the fiery furnace,” Patrick said. “King Nebuchadnezzar tried to kill your three friends.”

Daniel cast a glance at Patrick. “They were spared,” he said. “God saved them. They became famous. King Nebuchadnezzar gave them honor. But they have since died.”

“Why weren’t you with them on that day?” Patrick asked.

“I remember it well,” Daniel said. He rubbed his forehead. “King Jehoiachin was in jail then. He asked me to take a message to the few Jews left in Jerusalem. I was traveling outside the city that month.”

“Why don’t all the Jews go back to Jerusalem?” Patrick asked.

“The leaders of Babylon won’t let us,” Daniel said. “And God is punishing the Jews for worshipping other gods.”

Daniel reached for another scroll. He unrolled it and said, “The prophet Jeremiah said our exile would be for seventy years. There are a few more years to wait in Babylon before we return home. Until then the Jews are to serve the Babylonians well.”

Daniel pointed to a portion of the scroll.

A knock on the door startled Patrick.

Daniel called, “Enter in peace.”

Captain Anu came through the door. “Come quickly,” the soldier said to Daniel. “The king requires your presence in the great hall.”

“Oh?” Daniel said.

Captain Anu looked at Patrick. “The boy’s cousin is causing trouble,” he said. “Her words have distressed the king.”

Beth sat at the king’s banquet table. Duzi sat next to her as her guard.

Beth watched Patrick enter the great hall. Captain Anu and an old man followed him.

Beth jumped out of her chair in excitement. She ran toward the old man. “Are you Daniel?” she cried. “You’re one of my favorite Bible heroes!” Beth threw her arms around him.

Daniel patted her head. “I have no idea what a Bible is,” he said kindly. “And I’m no hero. Salvation comes only from the Lord God. Do you also know about God and the law of Moses?” Daniel asked.

Beth nodded.

Duzi joined the group. He slapped Captain Anu on the back.

Captain Anu said, “These two children have caused a ruckus today.”

Patrick leaned toward Beth. “The king is crying,” he said. “Why?”

Beth let go of Daniel. She turned around and looked at the king.

King Darius’s head was in his hands. He was quietly weeping.

“He made a HUGE mistake,” Beth said. “He signed a bad law. And not even he can undo it. That’s the way the Persians do it.”

“So?” Patrick said.

“So that law will get Daniel into trouble,” Beth said. “And I told the king he was silly. He shouldn’t have signed it.”

“I can’t see Daniel breaking any laws,” Patrick said. “What is this new law?”

“A good question,” Daniel said. “What new law governs Babylon?”

Duzi said, “You should hear it from Frava and Katav.”

The group moved close to the table.

Katav held up a clay tablet. “King Darius just signed this,” Katav said. He pointed to the bottom of the tablet. A lion’s head was impressed on the clay. “It has the royal seal on it.”

Daniel walked over to Katav. He took the clay tablet and read it.

“It says no one is to pray to any god or being except for King Darius,” Daniel said. “Anyone who does will be thrown into the lions’ pit.” Daniel slowly scanned the room. He looked all the king’s men in the eyes. “So be it.”

The king stood. “I forgot about you, my friend,” he said. King Darius reached a hand toward Daniel.

Daniel didn’t reach back.

The king dropped his hand. “Daniel,” the king said, “would you please not pray to your god for thirty days? You’re my chief adviser. I need you.”

Daniel lowered his head. He didn’t answer. He turned away from the king’s table. “Children of the one true God,” he said, “come with me. We have something important to do.”

Daniel walked out of the banquet room. Patrick and Beth followed.

Behind them, the men were still talking. Beth heard Frava laugh. She looked over her shoulder.

Katav said, “Daniel is so predictable. He prays three times a day no matter what.” He turned to Captain Anu and said, “Arrest Daniel when he dares to worship the Jewish God.”