Question - Isn't This a No-Win Situation?

Trey Smith

I've now made my way to the Book of Daniel. In Chapter 6, we come to the story of Daniel being thrown in the den of lions. This was the result of others conspiring against him. Of course, God sends angels to protect Daniel from harm and he is released unscathed.

This is where the story gets interesting. In Verse 24, we learn that,

And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.

This is the part of these types of stories that perplexes me: Why are the children punished with death along with their fathers?

It could be argued that the children -- though we are not told their ages -- did not try to stop their fathers from committing this treachery. That might be a compelling argument EXCEPT that it would then violate one of the Ten Commandments, Honor thy father and mother.

In Hebrew society, the father ruled the household. His word was the final word in all matters. So, if he told you to go jump off a cliff, you better damn well jump off that cliff or else the authorities might punish you (by stoning) for defying your father.

So, the children -- not to mention the wives -- were placed in a no-win situation. If they went along with dear old dad, they became guilty of his crime. If they didn't go along with daddy dearest, then they were guilty of defying one of the great commandments. Either way, they were sunk.

How is this fair or just?

To see what other questions I've asked about the Christian Bible, go here.