Daniel And The King’s Dream

One night Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon had a very disturbing dream. All the wise men were summoned to him which included Daniel, to interpret the King’s dream.

They faced a challenging problem though. He not only wanted the interpretation, but he also wanted them to tell him his dream. Serious consequences awaited them if they couldn’t.

But the king said to the astrologers, “I am serious about this. If you don’t tell me what my dream was and what it means, you will be torn limb from limb, and your houses will be turned into heaps of rubble!” Daniel 2:5

This chapter of Daniel says that great rewards awaited them when they revealed the king’s dream and its meaning.

“But if you tell me what I dreamed and what the dream means, I will give you many wonderful gifts and honors. Just tell me the dream and what it means!” Daniel 2:6

All the king’s men knew they faced an impossible situation. At least if he had told them the dream, they could’ve come up with a good interpretation. So they protested once more.

They said again, “Please, Your Majesty. Tell us the dream, and we will tell you what it means.” Daniel 2:7

The King wanted the Impossible

He accused them of stalling and conspiring against him and he refused to back down. The king reiterated, “Tell me the dream, and then I’ll know that you can tell me what it means.”

It seemed as though the astrologers served as the spokespeople for this group of wise men. So they continued their rebuttal against the king. But to no avail.

The astrologers replied to the king, “No one on earth can tell the king his dream! And no king, however great and powerful, has ever asked such a thing of any magician, enchanter, or astrologer! Daniel 2:10

They knew their lives were in jeopardy. Then Daniel recorded that they tried to pass off the king’s request for his dream to a higher power. At least they considered it a higher power.

The king’s demand is impossible. No one except the gods can tell you your dream, and they do not live here among people.” Daniel 2:11

The king did not want to hear any more of their excuses. So he ordered all the wise men of Babylon executed, even those taken captive from the land of Israel.

And because of the king’s decree, men were sent to find and kill Daniel and his friends. Daniel 2:13

Interpreting the king’s dream didn’t start out as a problem for Daniel. But it became one since he and his friends were counted among the wise. So Daniel asked permission to see the king.

Daniel went at once to see the king and requested more time to tell the king what the dream meant. Daniel 2:16

How Daniel Handled the Situation of the King’s Dream

Daniel handled the situation with wisdom and discretion. After talking to the king he went into action. He didn’t go to the gods. He petitioned the God of heaven.

Then Daniel went home and told his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah what had happened. He urged them to ask the God of heaven to show them his mercy by telling them the secret. So they would not be executed along with the other wise men of Babylon. Daniel 2:17-18

That night God revealed the secret of the king’s dream to Daniel in a vision.

We don’t know what he prayed to get the answer from God, but we do know what he said afterward. He began by praising God.

“Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power. Daniel 2:20

This is a beautiful example for us after we partition the Lord for a need we may have. It’s similar to how Jesus taught His disciples to pray. “Our Father, Hallowed be your name.”

He continued by acknowledging who God is and some of the things He is capable of doing.

He controls the course of world events;
He removes kings and sets up other kings.
Our God gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars.
He reveals deep and mysterious things
And knows what lies hidden in darkness, though he is surrounded by light. Daniel 2:21-22

It’s altogether possible that Daniel was familiar with the Psalms. Especially Psalm 136 which talks about giving thanks to the Lord. Because that’s how Daniel ended his prayer.

I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors, for you have given me wisdom and strength.
You have told me what we asked of you and revealed to us what the king demanded. Daniel 2:23

Daniel Gave God All the Glory

Daniel told Arioch the guard that he could reveal the king’s dream and its interpretation. So he took him to the king. Before telling him about his dream, Daniel gave God all the credit.

Daniel replied, “There are no wise men, enchanters, magicians, or fortune-tellers who can reveal the king’s secret. But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the future. Daniel 2:27-28

When dealing with the king’s dream, Daniel could not have accomplished any of it on his own. But he trusted the God of heaven who told us that He will never fail us.

When the Lord uses us, whether, for something great or small, we must always trust Him. And be sure to give Him all the glory. Look what happened after Daniel spoke about the king’s dream.

The king said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is the greatest of gods, the Lord over kings, a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this secret.” Daniel 2:47

Lord, we pray that others will see your glory as we trust you to work through us. Just like when King Nebuchadnezzar did, as he saw you work through Daniel.

Check out these other posts from the book of Daniel.