In my previous study, we found that Nebuchadnezzar had been troubled over his dreams, and was presently suffering from insomnia. He had called the wise men, which included four groups of men: magicians, astrologers, sorcerers and the Chaldeans (Daniel 2:2). None of these men were able to help Nebuchadnezzar, and he grew impatient with them and accused them of lying to him in order to buy time, whereby they might prepare a believable story, or when the king might be in a better mood (Daniel 2:9). When all attempts to come to an understanding of his dreams and end his insomnia failed, Nebuchadnezzar made a decree that all the wise men of Babylon should be slain (Daniel 2:13).
Apparently, the decree must have called for their being slain together in one place, perhaps in the presence of the king, because, when Arioch, the captain of the guard, sought Daniel, rather than slay him immediately, a discussion developed between him and Daniel. Daniel was permitted to ask why the king’s decree was so severe. Moreover, Daniel was even able to request to be brought before the king, or more probably a high-ranking official who had the king’s ear. Such a man may, also, have been given the command to question the other wise men, if any of them could solve the king’s dilemma (Daniel 2:14-15). Otherwise, the king’s command to slay all the wise men of Babylon makes no sense, if their execution was based solely on the premise of the first four groups’ failure to help the king. Given the brevity of the record, this possibility seems both logical and probable.
Considering the fact that, later, Daniel had to be introduced to Nebuchadnezzar, and that the king was surprised that he was able to relieve the king of his troubled dreams (Daniel 2:25-26), it appears that, when the text says he “requested the king to grant him time…” (Daniel 2:16), it means Daniel requested time from an official, who had the authority to speak for the king in this matter. No doubt, something similar to what we understand as the power of attorney is in view here. Therefore, whatever was meant by the king accusing the Chaldeans of stalling for time (Daniel 2:9), Daniel’s request for time was something different from their request. For example, Daniel may have requested a single night, while the Chaldean’s request may have been for a much longer period, so they could consult the gods (cp. Daniel 2:11). Some difference had to have existed between them and Daniel, because Nebuchadnezzar accused them of seeking to prepare lies (Daniel 2:9).
Therefore, Daniel returned to his house, where his brethren were. Thus, it is implied in the text that both he and they were under house arrest. Therefore, when Arioch, the captain of the guard, originally arrested Daniel (Daniel 2:13), it was to await further orders, which would concern where and when the wise men would be executed. The fact that Daniel’s three friends were left behind, while Daniel went to make his request known to the king (Daniel 2:16), indicates all the wise men were under house arrest and awaited execution at the command of Nebuchadnezzar (cp. Daniel 2:24). Upon returning to his house, Daniel informed his three brethren: Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah what had occurred, and requested that they pray, while he brought his request before the Lord, so they wouldn’t be executed with the other wise men of Babylon (Daniel 2:17)
During the night and in a dream, God made the dream and its interpretation known to Daniel. Whereupon, Daniel praised the Lord, God of Israel, who is all wise, and who, alone, has the power to change the times by setting up kings and removing others (cp. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8), and who is a revealer of secrets. Thus, Daniel thanked the Lord for making the king’s dream known to him (Daniel 2:19-23).
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