John Calvin Commentary Daniel 6:1-2

"It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom a hundred and twenty satraps, who should be throughout the whole kingdom; and over them three presidents, of whom Daniel was one; that these satraps might give account unto them, and that the king should have no damage." — Daniel 6:1-2 (ASV)

Regarding the translation, some translate the last clause of the second verse as, “That the king should not have any trouble.” However, since נזק, nezek, signifies “to suffer loss,” I willingly adopt this meaning. This is because the king did not escape trouble through a desire for ease, as he might have done, being an old man. Instead, he willingly managed his own affairs and committed their care to three men, to prevent anything from being lost by passing through too many hands.

For experience shows us how confusion is caused by a multitude. If there had been only a hundred and twenty governors of provinces, many inconveniences would surely have arisen, and much loss would have occurred. Therefore, the king placed three prefects over these hundred and twenty.

Here again we can perceive how God cared for His prophet—not so much for any private reason or out of private respect, but so that by his aid the wretched captives and exiles would be benefited. God wished to stretch forth His hand to the Jews by means of Daniel. And we can deservedly call him God’s hand in sustaining the Jews.

The Persians, being barbarians, were not naturally more merciful than others; therefore, God interposed His servant Daniel to aid them. We must notice, in the context of this history, how Daniel alone was chosen by Darius as one of these three superior officers. He had been third in rank under King Belshazzar, although only for a moment, yet it might have caused envy under the new king that such great honor was conferred upon him.

Very probably, Darius was informed of Daniel's previous predictions: how the hand appeared on the wall, how he interpreted the writing, and how he became a heaven-sent messenger to denounce destruction on King Belshazzar. For unless this rumor had reached Darius, Daniel would never have obtained so much authority under him.

Darius's own army was very numerous, and we know how every conqueror is surrounded in war by many dependents, all of whom wish to share in the spoils. Darius, therefore, would never have noticed a stranger and a captive, nor admitted him to such great honor and power, unless he had understood him to be a known Prophet of God and also a herald denouncing destruction against the Babylonian monarchy.

Thus we gather how providential it was for Daniel to be among the first satraps, and even third in the kingdom, as this brought him more quickly under the notice of Darius. For if Daniel had been cast down by King Belshazzar, he would have remained at home in concealment. But when he appeared clothed in royal apparel, the king inquired who he was. He heard how Daniel had arrived at such high honor; therefore, he acknowledged him as God’s Prophet and appointed him one of the three prefects.

Here also, God’s providence is again set before us, not only in preserving His servant in safety but also in providing for the safety of the whole Church, so that the Jews would not be still more oppressed by the change of masters. But a temptation was afterwards inflicted, by which the holy Prophet and the whole people were severely tried, for the Prophet says: