Daniel 6:1-28
When King Cyrus conquered the Babylonian Empire, he put King Darius in charge. King Darius organized his kingdom into 120 parts each governed by a satrap. He put three administrators over these each reporting directly to him. The king knew and respected Daniel and made him one of these three major administrators. As usual, Daniel did a spectacular job. The King was so pleased he contemplated putting him in charge of entire empire.
The two other administrators were jealous and sought ways to bring him down in the King's eyes. However, Daniel was honest, faithful and hardworking. The other supervisors couldn't find any issue with him. Then, they hatched a plan. They knew Daniel prayed three times daily in front of an open window. They also knew the king was vain.
They said to the king," King Darius, make a law that says for the next thirty days, no one can ask a favor from God or man. Whoever does ask a favor from God or man will be thrown to the lions.". The King agreed and it became law. The other administrators went to see if Daniel continued his pattern of prayer. Daniel did and the other administrators saw it. Their plan was working and they reported it to the King.
King Darius then knew that the administrators tricked him into trapping Daniel. He was furious at himself. What could he do though? It would be unthinkable to change his mind now and save Daniel. He tried to find a way to save Daniel, but could not. Finally he realized he had no choice. He told Daniel "May your God, whom you always serve, save you.". Then he had Daniel thrown into the Lions den. Daniel was around 80 years old at the time.
King Darius had a fitful night worrying that Daniel would die that night. At dawn he rushed to the Lion's den and yelled out "Did your God save you?" He was ecstatic when he heard the reply "Yes. He sent His angel to close the lion's mouth."
King Darius ordered Daniel removed from the Lions den, and the three other administrators and their families to take his place. They didn't fare nearly as well as Daniel did. King Darius then made a new law. "Everyone will honor Daniel's God. He is mighty.". Daniel continued to serve both God and the King.
This incident happened in 538 or 539 BC. Daniel was captured as a young man in 605 BC, therefore, he must have been around 75 to 80 years old at this time. Yet, look how young he looks in Rubens, Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn and Rivier's famous paintings.