Context: Darius, the new king of the Chaldeans, appoints many government officials, but Daniel receives the highest position. The other appointees, jealous of Daniel's authority, seek some fault in him, but are disappointed to find him blameless in the execution of his duties. Knowing that Daniel is a devout Jew, the rulers conspire to get King Darius to sign a decree making it illegal for anyone to petition any god or man, other than the king, for thirty days. The penalty for breaking the law is that the guilty one shall be thrown into a den of lions. Daniel, however, who continues his practice of praying to God three times a day, is accused by the conspirators, is thrust into the den of lions, and is miraculously saved from the hungry beasts. Darius, who wished to spare Daniel, is confronted by the rulers and reminded that even he cannot alter the law which he has decreed: