Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 2:10-13
10-13. The magicians in utter desperation now appeal to the king’s sense of justice and to the lack of precedent, “forasmuch as no king, be he never so great and powerful” (R.V., margin) had ever demanded such a “hard thing,” which was absolutely impossible excepting to the highest deities, which have no intercourse with man. The king is, or pretends to be, very furious at this insinuation of injustice, and their confession of inability to meet the fair test proposed (note Daniel 2:5) and... read more
Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 2:6-9
6-9. Gifts are promised to anyone who can tell the dream and its meaning, while the strong affirmation of the magicians that they could give a true interpretation if they only knew what the dream was is characterized as lying and corrupt words used simply with the desire to “buy the time” and postpone punishment for their false pretenses until perhaps the king might relent, or a more lucky day for them should come. But the king affirms that he will not relent; the threat which had gone... read more