Daniel

Daniel ("Name means::God is my Judge") (Born::607 BC - Died::534 BC) was a prophet and the author of the Book of Daniel.

Biography
Daniel and three other noble youths were carried off to Babylon as hostages to ensure the loyalty of Judah's king and advisors in the fourth year of the reign of Jehoiakim (606 BC). Daniel and his three Jewish companion’s intellect and beauty were estimated highly. They were commanded to be trained as Chaldeans (members of the class of the magi: astrologers, sorcerers, enchanters and magicians), who had same ranks with the advisors of the Babylonian court. Since Daniel was evaluated highly among them, he was obliged to enter into the service of the king of Babylon, and received the Chaldean name of Belshazzar. Daniel and his three companions still believed Jewish religion and cultural identity which would conflict with paganism of the Babylonian court. At the close of his three years training in the royal schools, Daniel was outstanding for his proficiency in the pagan. When he was brought out to the public, he soon became known for his skill in the interpretation of dreams (1:17, 2:14). He rose to the rank of governor of the province of Babylon, and finally became "chief of the governors" over all the wise men of Babylon due to interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. 

The writing on the wall
King Belshazzar and his companions drank with gold goblets which were taken from the temple of God in Jerusalem 5:3. This angered God, and he made angel to write warning. Daniel was called to the terrible night of Belshazzar's impious feast to interpret the mysterious handwriting on the wall. The handwriting on the wall was "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PERES". Daniel interpreted handwriting as "MENE: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end.5:26 Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.5:27 Peres: Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.5:28" For successfully reading the handwriting by an angel of God, Daniel was rewarded with a purple robe, a gold chain necklace, and elevation to the rank of "third ruler" of the kingdom.5:29 In that very night Belshazzar was slain, and Darius the Mede took over the Kingdom as the Daniel interpreted writing on the wall.5:30

Daniel in the Den of Lions
Daniel was given a top job in the kingdom of Darius because he was a faithful hard worker. This made the other administrators and satraps jealous of Daniel. They could find no ways to charge against Daniel, the only way they could find him at fault was to make a law that was against his religious beliefs.(6:4,6:5) The administrators and satraps tricked the king and got him to issue a law that said no one could ask a petition of God or man, except to the king for thirty days. He always prayed to God three times a day. Even though Daniel knew the law was issued, he kept praying since he was a truthful prayer.6:10 The administrators and satraps reported this to King Darius.6:12 King Darius liked Daniel, but when they told him that Daniel had broken the law, the king had to put Daniel in the den of lions. The king hoped that Daniel’s God would protect him.6:16 A large stone was brought and placed over the den of lions and was sealed 6:17. The king was so worried about Daniel that he couldn’t sleep that night.6:18 Next morning, the king went to see if Daniel had been killed, and was overjoyed to see him alive.(6:19,6:20) Daniel explained how he was alive “My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me 6:22.” King pulled Daniel out of the den of the lions.6:23 The king then brought the men who had falsely accused Daniel and threw them in the den of lions with every member of their families. The lions tore them to pieces and crushed their bones even before they could even hit the ground.6:24 After this happening, the king made people of his kingdom to believe in Daniel’s god.6:26