Before we start studying chapter two, let’s look at the person of King Nebby… He was one of the world’s greatest conquerors.  Not only was he a great conqueror, he also had a great problem with pride!  King Nebby worshiped many gods, even thinking of himself as one. When he conquered the little nation of Judah, he met a God who demanded exclusive worship–not just his share among many gods. This new God was different; this God dared to claim that He had made Nebuchadnezzar all that he was. One of the great conquerors in history was himself conquered by his Creator.

We read that King Nebby has a frightening dream(s). God sent a series of dreams to King Nebby with prophetic messages that could be revealed and understood only by a servant of God. The Bible tells us he was deeply troubled, and the king’s magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers were called in to not only interpret the dream, but King Nebby arrogantly demanded to be told the dream…

 

But the king said to his 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! 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: 5-6

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

The king was furious when he heard this, and he ordered that all the wise men of Babylon be executed. And because of the king’s decree, men were sent to find and kill Daniel and his friends. Daniel 2: 10-13

How egotistical and haughty of the king! Executing the innocent? He asked for the impossible! When the commander came to kill Daniel and his friends, Daniel handled the situation with wisdom and discretion from God. He asked the commander why the king would issue such a harsh decree in the first place? The commander told Daniel everything that had happened. Immediately Daniel went to the king and requested more time to tell the king what the dream meant.

The king granted Him more time, and Daniel went home to tell Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah what had just happened. He urged them to ask God to have mercy, and to show them the secret of King Nebby’s dream. That night, the secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Rightly so, Daniel praised the God of heaven…

 

“Praise the name of God forever and ever, for He has all wisdom and power.

He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings.

He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars.

He reveals deep and mysterious things and know what lies hidden in darkness, though he is surrounded by light.

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: 20-23