Daniel 2:24 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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Daniel 2:24

Comments

Arioch is the official appointed to carry out the king’s edict of destruction on the wise men, and Daniel goes straight to him. He is concerned for the wise men of Babylon because every life is precious to him. Arioch had not been told the dream, nor had he heard the interpretation of the dream, and yet he went directly to the king and announced that the dream could now be interpreted, risking Nebuchadnezzar’s further wrath if it was not so. But something about the bearing of Daniel and his integrity made him ready to believe him and therefore speak confidently to the king.There is a human touch here. Arioch is of course but a man, and he has no spiritual sensitivities, and he ‘brought in Daniel before the king in haste’, going through the various royal secretaries and equerries, ‘and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation.’ We know that the king knew Daniel. He had personally warmly approved him in the questioning, the examining time, before his graduation. He had no doubt observed him since then. He had already had one audience with Daniel. Furthermore it was Daniel who approached Arioch and asked to be given time. But it is, for Arioch, an opportunity not to be missed to take the credit, though he doesn't deserve it, for having brought Daniel into the picture. ‘The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar,’ – that is how he would have addressed him – ‘Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen,’ – the king is sticking to his terms – ‘and the interpretation thereof?’

Application

We can imagine the tremendous drama of the scene and the preacher needs to bring this out. Will Daniel be able to do what he says he can do? How can a man know what another has dreamed? Will the king be convinced that Danile has indeed been shown his dream? Where has this knowledge come from? Is there anyone else on earth that could do such a thing? Perhaps some of the wise men are there, listening with trepidation because their lives are on the line. How is Daniel conducting himself? Is he intimidated by the presence of the king? Is he behaving in a haughty manner because he has found the answer? No, he is calm, reverent before the king, but fearless and bold also, trusting in God whose greater presence makes the greatest king on earth only another subject of heaven. In this way God’s people, when they are called to speak to dignitaries must handle themselves, and speak clearly and wisely without intimidation.

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Daniel 2:24 Commentary and Bible Study