Why Was Daniel the King's Friend?
How you act and talk matters.
As the king of Babylon and Persia’s closest advisor, Daniel was also probably one of the closest friends the kings had.
Kings had very few people they could trust - their close advisors often became their friends because they were one of the few the king could trust. David mourned when one of his close advisors turned against him.
Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. (Psalm 41:9)
But how did Daniel - a captive in Babylon - eventually become a friend to the king? Certainly, God is to be praised for His sovereignty and His helping Daniel (Daniel 1:9).
The Proverbs writer also gives us an idea.
He who loves purity of heart and has grace on his lips, the king will be his friend. (Proverbs 22:11)
Purity of heart.
The one who loves purity of heart refers to a person’s intentions and choices. This is a person with honest and clear intentions.
Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den because King Darius had governors and nobles under him who were not “pure in heart” - they had evil, envious intentions (Daniel 6:4-13).
On the other hand, Daniel did not have a secret personal agenda. When interpreting Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel 4, Daniel is genuinely upset about what the king will soon experience.
Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonished for a time, and his thoughts troubled him. So the king spoke, and said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation trouble you.” Belteshazzar answered and said, “My lord, may the dream concern those who hate you, and its interpretation concern your enemies! (Daniel 4:19)
Daniel did not see the downfall of Nebuchadnezzar as his opportunity to seize additional power. He was pure in heart - he had only good intentions and pure motives, which was apparent to the king and his court.
Grace on the lips.
Having grace on the lips is the idea of gracious speech. This person is gracious and kind in the things they say to others.
As you go through Daniel, you find many people who are anything but gracious and kind in the things they say.
Nebuchadnezzar threatens to kill all the wise men if they do not reveal the meaning of his dream (Daniel 2).
Nebuchadnezzar explodes with rage at Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego for refusing to bow down and worship his idol (Daniel 3).
Belshazzar mocks Daniel as a captive when he is brought before him to interpret the meaning of the writing on the wall (Daniel 5).
The other wise men speak flattering words to the king to get rid of Daniel (Daniel 6).
But what you will find repeatedly throughout Daniel is that Daniel and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego speak graciously and respectfully - even when confronted with an outraged king.
A friend of the king.
The result of Daniel being a person with good, honest intentions who spoke graciously and kindly was that he became a close advisor and friend to three different kings under two different empires (Daniel 2:46-49; 6:1-3; 28).
How we treat other people and how we speak to them matters.
Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. (Colossians 4:5-6)
As Christians, we should be people who can be trusted to do what’s right and not undermine what’s going on at work, school, in our government, or even at church for our own personal gain.
Even when others speak in a “grace-less” way, we should always speak with “grace.” When people criticize us, speak poorly of us, or perhaps even persecute us - may we respond with gracious words, “seasoned with salt.”
Even if living in this way leads to suffering on our part, then it’s better to suffer for doing what’s good and right than to do evil (1 Peter 3:13-17).
This follows the example of our Savior (1 Peter 2:21-24).
