The enemies of Daniel frantically searched for any flaw, not just in his public service, but specifically "concerning the kingdom," meaning they looked for evidence of disloyalty or mismanagement. Their ultimate failure to find any fault highlights that Daniel's integrity was so complete it left no opening for earthly accusations.
Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Daniel has been promoted to a high position by King Darius, surpassing other officials. These jealous rivals, including the presidents and satraps, immediately began scheming to find fault with Daniel's administration of the kingdom, hoping to bring him down. They searched diligently for any mistake or wrongdoing in his work, but Daniel's integrity and faithfulness made him completely blameless in his official duties.
Imagine the intense pressure of being watched, every move scrutinized for a mistake. Daniel's enemies were experts at this, but they hit a wall.
The leaders of the kingdom, driven by envy, desperately searched for any flaw in Daniel's official duties. They weren't looking for truth, but for a pretext to bring him down. Yet, the text states clearly: 'they could find no ground for complaint or any fault.' This wasn't luck; it was the result of Daniel's consistent integrity in managing the kingdom's affairs. His faithfulness created a shield against their malicious intent, proving that genuine excellence leaves no room for accusation in matters of duty.
What makes a person truly trustworthy, even under intense pressure? Daniel's story points to a deeper source of his character.
The verse pinpoints the reason for Daniel's unassailable integrity: 'because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him.' This faithfulness wasn't just about being a good employee; it stemmed from a deeper commitment. As the commentaries suggest, Daniel was faithful not only to his king ('concerning the kingdom') but, more importantly, to his God. This dual faithfulness meant his actions in the public sphere were governed by a higher standard. His religious devotion informed his professional life, creating a seamless integrity that enemies could not exploit.
Understand the original words
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meheyman · Aramaic (Chaldean) Adjective
To be trustworthy, reliable, or constant in one's duties and character, especially in the context of service to God or earthly masters.
shellû' · Aramaic (Chaldean) Noun
A failure, mistake, or negligence in duty, often implying a lapse in integrity or moral conduct.
Daniel's integrity shone brightly in the complex political landscape of the collapsing Babylonian Empire and the rising Persian dominion, making him a target for envious officials.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, conquers Jerusalem and begins deporting skilled Judeans, including Daniel and his friends, to Babylon.
c. 562 BC
Reign of Nebuchadnezzar Ends
Nebuchadnezzar dies, and his successors rule for a short, tumultuous period before the rise of Nabonidus.
539 BC
Fall of Babylon
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon, bringing an end to the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This marks a shift in geopolitical power.
c. 538 BC— this verse
Darius the Mede Governs Babylon
After the conquest, Darius the Mede (often identified with Cyrus's uncle, Gubaru/Gobryas) is installed as the ruler of Babylon.
c. 538-537 BC
Daniel Promoted and Targeted
Daniel is promoted to a high position by Darius, earning the envy of other officials who seek to find fault in his administration.
This passage beautifully describes the character and blessings of the one who fears the Lord and delights in His commands, mirroring Daniel's uprightness and the ultimate futility of his enemies' schemes.
Proverbs 11:3This proverb directly states that the integrity of the upright guides them, while the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them, echoing why Daniel's faithfulness protected him from his envious peers.
Matthew 10:16Jesus tells his disciples to be 'wise as serpents and innocent as doves,' a principle Daniel embodied as his enemies sought to find fault in his civic duties, highlighting the need for both discernment and purity.
1 Peter 2:15This verse explains that by doing good, believers can put to silence the ignorance of foolish people, which directly applies to Daniel's flawless conduct in office silencing his accusers.
Colossians 3:22-24The instruction to 'work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men' perfectly captures Daniel's diligent and faithful service in the kingdom, the very reason his enemies could find no fault.
calvinDaniel 6:3-5: "Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm."
Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.
Tunc satrap?, et praesides provinciarum quaesierunt occasionem invenire contra Danielem a parte…
barnesDaniel 6:4: "Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him."
Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel - The word rendered "occasion" (עלה ‛illâh) means a pretext or pretence. "The Arabs use the word of any business or affair which serves as a cause or pretext for neglecting another business."…
The enemies of Daniel frantically searched for any flaw, not just in his public service, but specifically "concerning the kingdom," meaning they looked for evidence of disloyalty or mismanagement. Their ultimate failure to find any fault highlights that Daniel's integrity was so complete it left no opening for earthly accusations.
Daniel has been promoted to a high position by King Darius, surpassing other officials. These jealous rivals, including the presidents and satraps, immediately began scheming to find fault with Daniel's administration of the kingdom, hoping to bring him down. They searched diligently for any mistake or wrongdoing in his work, but Daniel's integrity and faithfulness made him completely blameless in his official duties.
Daniel has been promoted to a high position by King Darius, surpassing other officials. These jealous rivals, including the presidents and satraps, immediately began scheming to find fault with Daniel's administration of the kingdom, hoping to bring him down. They searched diligently for any mistake or wrongdoing in his work, but Daniel's integrity and faithfulness made him completely blameless in his official duties.
"Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in…" — The enemies of Daniel frantically searched for any flaw, not just in his public service, but specifically "concerning the kingdom," meaning they looked for evidence of disloyalty or mismanagement.…
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Last reviewed October 2026
