Who was Darius in the Bible?

The name “Darius” appears several times in the Bible, referring to three distinct Persian rulers. These rulers played significant roles in the historical and prophetic narratives of Scripture. Understanding who Darius was in each context helps illuminate the Biblical account of the Israelites’ interactions with the Persian Empire. This exploration will focus on the three main figures referred to as Darius in the Bible, considering their historical context and their impact on Biblical events.

Darius the Mede (Daniel 5:30–31; 6:1–28)

Who was Darius the Mede?

Darius the Mede is the first Darius mentioned in the Bible. He appears at the end of Daniel 5, when Belshazzar, the last king of Babylon, is slain after the infamous “writing on the wall” incident. Following Belshazzar’s death, Darius the Mede “received the kingdom” (Daniel 5:31).

• Identity and Background:
  Daniel 5:31 says, “And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.” Historically, there has been much debate over the identity of Darius the Mede. He is described as the ruler over Babylon after its conquest by the Medo-Persian Empire, led by King Cyrus. Some scholars suggest that Darius the Mede may have been another name for Gubaru (Gobryas), a governor appointed by Cyrus, or a title referring to Cyrus himself. Others propose that he was a subordinate king under the Persian Emperor.
• Key Events:
  Darius the Mede is most famously associated with the story of Daniel in the lions’ den (Daniel 6). After appointing 120 satraps and three governors to oversee his kingdom, Darius elevated Daniel to a prominent position. However, jealous officials manipulated Darius into signing a decree that prohibited prayer to anyone except the king for thirty days. Daniel’s steadfast commitment to God led to his arrest and punishment, but God miraculously saved him from the lions.
  After witnessing this miracle, Darius decreed that all people should reverence the God of Daniel (Daniel 6:26-27):”For He is the living God, and steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall endure to the end.”

Spiritual Lessons from Darius the Mede:

• God’s Sovereignty: Darius’s role demonstrates God’s control over the rise and fall of kingdoms. Despite the scheming of men, God’s purpose for Daniel was fulfilled.
• Faith and Witnessing: Daniel’s unwavering faith in the face of persecution impacted a pagan king, leading to the proclamation of God’s greatness throughout the empire.

Darius I (Darius the Great) (Ezra 4:24–6:22; Haggai 1:1–2:23; Zechariah 1:1–7)

Who was Darius I?

Darius I, also known as Darius the Great, reigned over the Persian Empire from 522–486 BC. He is mentioned in the books of Ezra, Haggai, and Zechariah as a king who supported the rebuilding of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile.

• Key Events in Ezra:
  In Ezra 4:24, the work on the temple had ceased due to opposition during the reign of earlier Persian kings. However, in the second year of Darius I’s reign, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah urged the Jews to resume rebuilding (Haggai 1:1-15). The leaders Zerubbabel and Jeshua restarted the work.
  The local Persian officials, led by Tattenai, questioned the legality of the project and reported it to King Darius. After a thorough search of the royal archives, Darius discovered Cyrus’s original decree permitting the rebuilding of the temple. Darius reaffirmed this decree, ordering that the work continue and even provided financial support from the royal treasury (Ezra 6:1-12).
• Prophetic Encouragement:
  During Darius’s reign, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah delivered messages to encourage the people to rebuild the temple. For example:
  • Haggai 2:4-5: “Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,” says the Lord; “and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,” says the Lord, “and work; for I am with you,” says the Lord of hosts.”
  • Zechariah 4:6: “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord of hosts.
• Completion of the Temple:
  The temple was completed in the sixth year of Darius I’s reign (Ezra 6:15-16). This marked a significant moment in Jewish history, restoring their central place of worship and reinforcing their identity as God’s covenant people.

Spiritual Lessons from Darius I:

• God’s Faithfulness: The completion of the temple during Darius I’s reign fulfilled God’s promises and demonstrated His providential care for His people.
• Obedience and Leadership: The cooperation between Persian authorities and Jewish leaders highlights how God can use even foreign rulers to accomplish His purposes.

Darius II (Nehemiah 12:22)

Who was Darius II?

Darius II is briefly mentioned in Nehemiah 12:22:

“Also the Levites in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua, were recorded as heads of their fathers’ houses during the reign of Darius the Persian.”

• Historical Context:
  Darius II reigned from 423–404 BC. His rule is mentioned in the context of the genealogical record of the Levites. While his role in the Bible is minimal compared to the other two Dariuses, his mention helps provide a historical framework for the events during and after the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls.

Spiritual Lessons from Darius II:

• God’s Ongoing Work: Even rulers with minor roles in Biblical history are part of God’s overarching plan to preserve His people.

Theological Implications of Darius in the Bible

The accounts of the three Dariuses in Scripture underscore several key theological themes:

1. God’s Sovereignty over Nations:
   The rise and fall of empires are under God’s control. As Proverbs 21:1 states,”The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.”
   Each Darius played a role in advancing God’s plan for His people, from the deliverance of Daniel to the rebuilding of the temple.
2. Faithfulness to God’s Covenant:
   Through the actions of Darius I, God demonstrated His covenant faithfulness by enabling the restoration of the temple, fulfilling His promises to the exiles.
3. Witnessing to Pagan Kings:
   Daniel’s witness to Darius the Mede is a powerful example of how believers can influence unbelievers. Similarly, the support of Darius I for the temple’s reconstruction reflects how God can work through unexpected individuals to accomplish His purposes.

Conclusion

The three Dariuses mentioned in the Bible—Darius the Mede, Darius I (the Great), and Darius II—were significant figures in Persian history who impacted the Biblical narrative. Each ruler interacted with God’s people in unique ways, demonstrating God’s sovereign control over history and His faithfulness to His promises.

From delivering Daniel in the lions’ den to enabling the rebuilding of the temple, the story of Darius illustrates that God’s plans cannot be thwarted. As believers, we can draw encouragement from these accounts, trusting in God’s sovereignty, faithfulness, and ability to use even the most unlikely individuals to accomplish His purposes.

In every age, God remains the true King over all kings, guiding history toward the fulfillment of His eternal kingdom.