Sefer Daniel and Megillat Esther reveal the importance of the "Constitution" in Media and Persia - a status that supersedes even the authority of the king. Positions vary on the justification of Daniel risking his life for the value of praying to God. Daniel establishes the practice to pray towards Jerusalem. Daniel being thrown into the pit of the lions can be compared to Yosef being thrown into the pit with snakes and scorpions and to Shimshon and David who defeat a lion in combat. 

Courtesy of the Virtual Beit Midrash, Yeshivat Har Etzion