Daniel 2:46 Commentary and Bible Study

Nebuchadnezzar worshipped Daniel. He was overcome with the wonder of it, with Daniel’s bearing, with the simple modesty and straightforwardness with which he interpreted the dream. Daniel has already done all he can to dispel any notion that he possesses supernatural powers, but he is not in a position to prevent what now takes place, however distasteful it was to him. Nebuchadnezzar was recognizing him in the only way he knew how. He was amazed at what had happened. Why should such a God so much mightier than Nebuchadnezzar let him rule? Nebuchadnezzar must have seen that his power was really nothing compared to the power of the one who had given him his kingdom. He was not converted here, but he knew God had spoken. The God of Daniel was above all the gods of Babylon, for they could do nothing like this. The wise men of Babylon were wily and devious, and Nebuchadnezzar saw little truth in their gods either, gods that lacked the power to genuinely reveal what was hidden. But this young man Daniel was different. Nebuchadnezzar had never seen genuine prophecy before, but he recognized it now that he saw it in this young man. He was unafraid to declare before all his courtiers that this was the real thing. There is such a being as the true God, and Daniel knew him. The true God must be a revealer of secrets. He must have access to all knowledge, to hidden things, and he had revealed this to Daniel. Therefore here was a young man who could be trusted with high office. He had proved it would not go to his head and he was of a completely different mould to the wise men who habitually surrounded the king. This man, though young, was worthy to serve before the king, and the king wanted him as an advisor, and set him over all. Daniel was sat in the gate of the king, the place where the king’s court was convened, and judgment was customarily handed out (Deuteronomy 22:15; Ruth 4:11; Amos 5:15).Here was promotion from the Lord for Daniel, this man of God promoted in a godless and pagan land! How objectionable all this would have been to the long-standing magicians and astrologers who vied with each other for the top place! What jealousy it would have provoked in them! They would never have allowed this to happen in the normal course of events, but now they could not prevent it. The king had threatened their lives, and they owed it to Daniel that their lives had been spared. How could they resist the will of the most powerful ruler on earth? So Daniel was appointed into an atmosphere of jealousy and resentment right from the start, and yet he took this office as the Lord’s assignment for him. He was made a great man, ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.’ The sudden change in his circumstances resembles that of Joseph, and he had to learn quickly how to carry out the responsibilities of his new office. Daniel knew that this too was of the Lord, and he must have waited in faith to see what would be required of him now that he had this new opportunity to serve the Lord. We can be sure that such was the strength of his character and the degree of his sanctification, that this sudden promotion did not have any ill effect on him, as it might have on many lesser men. Daniel requests the king for the other three young men and the king promotes them also. He saw them as standing together. Daniel would not be alone which would have been difficult, but he would have like-minded companions to stand with him in future battles for the truth. Matthew Henry comments that if you pray and join in prayer for something, you share the fruit.