Daniel answered the king, O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths so that they would not hurt me, because I had committed no wrong before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no wrong. This becomes the pivotal moment: as Daniel is placed in the lions' den for his violation of the law, he remains confident and unafraid. His assertion that God has sent His angel to protect him demonstrates faith in divine intervention. The phrase that God sent his angel echoes the protection offered to the three youths in chapter 3 (the fourth figure in the furnace). Daniel's claims of innocence before God and before the king assert that he has violated no moral law, only the political edict; his obedience to God supersedes obedience to the king.

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