14 Then Daniel hath replied 'with' counsel and discretion to Arioch chief of the executioners of the king, who hath gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon. 15 He hath answered and said to Arioch the king's captain, 'Wherefore 'is' the sentence so urgent from before the king?' Then Arioch hath made the thing known to Daniel, 16 and Daniel hath gone up, and sought of the king that he would give him time to shew the interpretation to the king. 17 Then Daniel to his house hath gone, and to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, he hath made the thing known, 18 and to seek mercies from before the God of the heavens concerning this secret, that they destroy not Daniel and his companions with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 Then to Daniel, in a vision of the night, the secret hath been revealed. Then hath Daniel blessed the God of the heavens. 20 Daniel hath answered and said, 'Let the name of God be blessed from age even unto age, for wisdom and might—for they are His. 21 And He is changing times and seasons, He is causing kings to pass away, and He is raising up kings; He is giving wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to those possessing understanding. 22 He is revealing deep and hidden things; He hath known what 'is' in darkness, and light with Him hath dwelt. 23 Thee, O God of my fathers, I am thanking and praising, for wisdom and might Thou hast given to me; and now, Thou hast caused me to know that which we have sought from Thee, for the king's matter Thou hast caused us to know.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Daniel 2:14-23
Commentary on Daniel 2:14-23
(Read Daniel 2:14-23)
Daniel humbly prayed that God would discover to him the king's dream, and the meaning of it. Praying friends are valuable friends; and it well becomes the greatest and best men to desire the prayers of others. Let us show that we value our friends, and their prayers. They were particular in prayer. And whatever we pray for, we can expect nothing but as the gift of God's mercies. God gives us leave in prayer to tell our wants and burdens. Their plea with God was, the peril they were in. The mercy Daniel and his fellows prayed for, was bestowed. The fervent prayers of righteous men avail much. Daniel was thankful to God for making known that to him, which saved the lives of himself and his fellows. How much more should we be thankful to God, for making known the great salvation of the soul to those who are not among the worldly wise and prudent!