8 Then the king answered, "I am certain that you are trying to gain time, because you realize that this is what I have firmly decided:
8 The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain
8 The king answered and said, "I know with certainty that you are trying to gain time, because you see that the word from me is firm--
8 But the king said, "I know what you're up to - you're just playing for time. You know you're up a tree.
8 The king answered and said, "I know for certain that you would gain time, because you see that my decision is firm:
8 The king replied, "I know what you are doing! You're stalling for time because you know I am serious when I say,
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Daniel 2:8
Commentary on Daniel 2:1-13
(Read Daniel 2:1-13)
The greatest men are most open to cares and troubles of mind, which disturb their repose in the night, while the sleep of the labouring man is sweet and sound. We know not the uneasiness of many who live in great pomp, and, as others vainly think, in pleasure also. The king said that his learned men must tell him the dream itself, or they should all be put to death as deceivers. Men are more eager to ask as to future events, than to learn the way of salvation or the path of duty; yet foreknowledge of future events increases anxiety and trouble. Those who deceived, by pretending to do what they could not do, were sentenced to death, for not being able to do what they did not pretend to.