*Daniel 2:1-24
King Nebuchadnezzar has a troubling dream he forgets, and the wise men are condemned to death for failing to reveal it, but Daniel steps forward to interpret the dream.
- Nebuchadnezzar’s Troubling Dream:
- The passage begins with King Nebuchadnezzar having a troubling dream that troubles his spirit and keeps him awake at night.
- He summons his magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers to interpret the dream for him, but he demands that they also tell him what the dream was without him having to explain it to them.
- The Inability of the Wise Men:
- The wise men protest, stating that no one can fulfill the king’s request because it is unprecedented for a king to demand such a thing.
- Nebuchadnezzar becomes furious and orders that all the wise men of Babylon be executed, including Daniel and his friends.
- Daniel’s Request for Time:
- When Daniel hears of the decree, he asks Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, why the decree was issued.
- After Arioch explains the situation, Daniel requests time from the king so that he may interpret the dream for him.
- Prayer and Revelation:
- Daniel returns to his house and informs his friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, of the situation.
- They plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, and that night, the mystery is revealed to Daniel in a vision.
Daniel 2:1-24 teaches us to seek God’s wisdom when we face difficult situations. When the king had a troubling dream, Daniel didn’t panic—he prayed and trusted God for the answer. This reminds us that when we feel unsure or overwhelmed, we should turn to God in prayer instead of relying only on ourselves. He knows all things and can give us the guidance, peace, and solutions we need. Like Daniel, we should trust in God’s wisdom and give Him credit when He helps us.
Daniel 2:1-24 (WEB)
2:1 In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams; and his spirit was troubled, and his sleep went from him. 2 Then the king commanded that the magicians, the enchanters, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans be called to tell the king his dreams. So they came in and stood before the king. 3 The king said to them, “I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit is troubled to know the dream.”4 Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in the Syrian language, “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.”5 The king answered the Chaldeans, “The thing has gone from me. If you don’t make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you will be cut in pieces, and your houses will be made a dunghill. 6 But if you show the dream and its interpretation, you will receive from me gifts, rewards, and great honor. Therefore show me the dream and its interpretation.”7 They answered the second time and said, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.”8 The king answered, “I know of a certainty that you are trying to gain time, because you see the thing has gone from me. 9 But if you don’t make known to me the dream, there is but one law for you; for you have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, until the situation changes. Therefore tell me the dream, and I will know that you can show me its interpretation.”10 The Chaldeans answered the king and said, “There is not a man on the earth who can show the king’s matter, because no king, lord, or ruler has asked such a thing of any magician, enchanter, or Chaldean. 11 It is a rare thing that the king requires, and there is no other who can show it before the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.”12 Because of this, the king was angry and very furious, and commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be destroyed. 13 So the decree went out, and the wise men were to be slain. They sought Daniel and his companions to be slain.14 Then Daniel returned answer with counsel and prudence to Arioch the captain of the king’s guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon. 15 He answered Arioch the king’s captain, “Why is the decree so urgent from the king?” Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel. 16 Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would appoint him a time, and he would show the king the interpretation.17 Then Daniel went to his house and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: 18 that they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret, that Daniel and his companions would not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. 20 Daniel answered,“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever;for wisdom and might are his.21 He changes the times and the seasons.He removes kings and sets up kings.He gives wisdom to the wise,and knowledge to those who have understanding.22 He reveals the deep and secret things.He knows what is in the darkness,and the light dwells with him.23 I thank you and praise you,O God of my fathers,who have given me wisdom and might,and have now made known to me what we desired of you;for you have made known to us the king’s matter.”24 Therefore Daniel went in to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon. He went and said this to him: “Don’t destroy the wise men of Babylon. Bring me in before the king, and I will show to the king the interpretation.”