Daniel 2:14 - Meaning and Application

When the king sent for his wise men to tell him his dream and its meaning (Daniel 2:2), Daniel does not seem to have been called with them. The king had been pleased with him when he tested him, and had found him ten times wiser than the others, yet he forgot Daniel when he most needed him. That is no surprise, since all this was done in anger, without calm thought. But God allowed it this way so that the magicians would be helpless and so the greatness of Daniel's God would be seen more clearly.

Even though Daniel had not been consulted, and this was against both law and justice, he was condemned with the rest by a single sweeping order. He knew nothing about it until he was told to prepare for execution. What a sad thing it is to live under a ruler with absolute power, like Nebuchadnezzar. How blessed we are to live under law and justice, and not be left at the mercy of a capricious prince.

We have already seen in Ezekiel that Daniel was known for both wisdom and prayer. As a leader, he had influence with people, and through prayer he had influence with God. In both ways he succeeded. These verses give a striking example of both gifts.

First, Daniel used wisdom in dealing with men, and he won their favor. When Arioch, the captain of the king's guard, who had been ordered to kill all the wise men of Babylon, seized Daniel, Daniel answered with wisdom and self-control (Daniel 2:14). He did not explode in anger or accuse the king of being unjust and cruel. He also did not plan resistance. Instead, he gently asked, "Why is the decree so urgent?" (Daniel 2:15). While the other wise men had said the king's demand was impossible, which only made him more furious, Daniel offered to give the king full satisfaction if only he could have a little time (Daniel 2:16).

The king now realized he had made a mistake in not calling Daniel sooner, and he began to remember Daniel's reputation. So he was quickly persuaded to delay the execution and give Daniel a chance. A soft answer is often the best way to turn away anger, even the anger of a king, which can be like a messenger of death. A king's word has power, yet even that word can sometimes be turned back and changed. Some read the verse this way, "Then Daniel returned, and through Arioch the king's officer, stopped the counsel and the decree" (Daniel 2:14).

Second, Daniel knew how to speak with God in prayer, and he found favor with Him in both asking and thanksgiving, the two main parts of prayer. When he had gained time, he did not go to the other wise men to see whether their arts or books could help. Instead, he went to his house to be alone with God, because he expected this great gift from God alone, the Father of lights.

He did not pray for himself only. He also asked his companions to pray with him. He told those who had long been his close friends to ask the God of heaven for mercy about this secret (Daniel 2:17, Daniel 2:18). Daniel was probably the oldest of them, and he was clearly the strongest, yet he still asked them to share in the request. United strength is stronger than strength alone. Praying friends are precious friends. It is good to know and value people who live close to God and have access to the throne of grace. Even the greatest and best people should welcome the prayers of others. Paul often asked his friends to pray for him. In this way we show that we value our friends, prayer, and their prayers.

Daniel was specific in prayer, but he still looked to God's general mercy. He asked that they would seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret (Daniel 2:18). In prayer we should look up to God as the God of heaven, above us and over us, the one we owe worship and loyalty to, and the God of power who can do all things. Jesus taught us to pray to God as our Father in heaven. Whatever good thing we ask for, we must depend on God's mercy, not on our own merit. We can expect nothing as payment for what we deserve, only as a gift from His mercy.

They asked for mercy concerning this secret. Whatever burdens us should become a matter of prayer. We should ask God for mercy about whatever troubles or frightens us. God gives us permission to speak openly and humbly with Him, and to bring Him the details of our needs and burdens. Secret things belong to the Lord our God, so if we need mercy about something hidden, we must go to Him. We cannot expect miracles as a rule, but we can pray in faith to the One who holds every heart and works wonders in His providence without miracles, asking Him to reveal what is hidden from us and to provide what is beyond our reach, as far as this will bring Him glory and do us good. Nothing is hidden from Him, and nothing is hard for Him.

Their plea was urgent danger. They asked for mercy so that Daniel and his companions would not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon, and so the righteous would not be destroyed with the wicked. When the lives of good and useful people are at risk, it is time to plead earnestly with God for them, as the church did for Peter when he was in prison (Acts 12:5).

The mercy Daniel and his companions prayed for was granted. The secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision (Daniel 2:19). Some think he had the same dream while asleep that Nebuchadnezzar had dreamed. It seems more likely that, while he was awake and continuing in prayer, the dream and its meaning were given to him through an angel, which fully satisfied him. The earnest prayer of righteous people is powerful. There are mysteries and secrets that prayer opens to us. With that key, the cabinets of heaven are unlocked, for Christ has said, "Ask, and it will be opened to you."

Daniel’s grateful response came after God answered him. “Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven” (Daniel 2:19). He did not wait to see whether the king would accept the dream as true. He was sure God had given him what he asked for, so he turned from prayer to praise at once.

He had prayed with full confidence that God would act, and he gave thanks with the same confidence that God had done it. In both prayer and thanksgiving, he looked to God as the God of heaven. His prayer is not recorded here, but his praise is. That reminds us how fitting it is to give glory to God as soon as he answers.

Daniel honors God in rich and varied words: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever.” There is something in God that deserves praise forever, because he is always the same and never changes. And the work of praise should also go on forever, because God’s goodness never ends.

Daniel gives God credit for what he is in himself. “Wisdom and might are his.” Some understand that as wisdom and courage. Whatever is right to do, God will do. Whatever he plans, he can carry out, and he does it with perfect wisdom and unlimited power. In God, strength and wisdom are never separated, as they often are in people.

He also gives God credit for his rule over human affairs. God has authority over all people and all their dealings. If times change, it is God who changes them. If rulers are removed, it is God who removes kings. If the poor are lifted up and placed among princes, it is God who sets up kings. He is the one who makes and unmakes rulers, because all power comes from him, the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Daniel also says that God gives wisdom to wise people. Philosophers and statesmen, those who think deeply and see clearly, do not have their wisdom from themselves. God gives knowledge to those who understand. That is a good reason not to be proud of our learning. Instead, we should use it to serve and honor God, and make it our aim to know him.

Then Daniel praises God for this particular discovery. He says God reveals “deep and secret things,” things hidden from everyone’s eyes (Daniel 2:22). God showed mankind true wisdom when no one else could (Job 28:27-28). He also reveals things to come to his servants and prophets. Nothing is too hidden for him, because he will bring every secret thing into judgment. In the end, the truth will stand clear.

Daniel says that God knows what is in the darkness and what is done in the darkness. Nothing is hidden from him, whether in the night or in secret places (Psalm 139:11-12). Light lives with him, and he dwells in light that no one can approach (1 Timothy 6:16). Even so, from our point of view, he surrounds himself with hiddenness and mystery. Some understand this to mean that the light of prophecy and divine revelation comes from God, because he is the Father of lights.

Daniel then thanks God as the God of his fathers. Even though the Jews were captives in Babylon, they were still loved because of their fathers. He praises the source of wisdom and might for giving him wisdom to understand the secret and strength to bear the news. Whatever wisdom and strength we have are gifts from God. Daniel says plainly, “You have made this known to me” (Daniel 2:23). What was hidden from the famous Chaldeans, who made dream interpretation their trade, was revealed to Daniel, a young Jewish captive, much younger than they were. In this way, God gave honor to the spirit of prophecy just when he was putting the spirit of divination to shame.

Daniel was thankful to God for showing him what saved his life and the lives of his friends. We have far greater reason to thank God for making known the great salvation of the soul, given to us and not to the world, to us and not to the wise and learned.

Daniel also shows respect for his companions in his thanksgiving. Even though he mainly received the answer through his own prayers, he includes them in it. It was what “we desired” from God, and God had made known to “us” the king’s matter. Either they were with Daniel when the revelation came, or he told them at once, saying in effect, “I have found it, I have found it.” He wanted those who helped him in prayer to share in the praise too.

This is a beautiful sign of Daniel’s humility and modesty, qualities that fit those who are brought into fellowship with God. Paul sometimes does something similar when he joins Silvanus, Timothy, or another worker with himself in the opening of his letters. When God honors us, we should be glad for our brothers and sisters to share that honor with us.