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Prophets and Kings
words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me
the dream, and I shall know that ye can show me the interpretation
thereof.”
Filled with fear for the consequences of their failure, the magicians
endeavored to show the king that his request was unreasonable and
his test beyond that which had ever been required of any man. “There
is not a man upon the earth,” they remonstrated, “that can show the
king’s matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked
such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean. And it is a
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rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can show
it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.”
Then “the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to
destroy all the wise men of Babylon.”
Among those sought for by the officers who were preparing to
fulfill the provisions of the royal decree, were Daniel and his friends.
When told that according to the decree they also must die, “with
counsel and wisdom” Daniel inquired of Arioch, the captain of the
king’s guard, “Why is the decree so hasty from the king?” Arioch
told him the story of the king’s perplexity over his remarkable dream,
and of his failure to secure help from those in whom he had hitherto
placed fullest confidence. Upon hearing this, Daniel, taking his life in
his hands, ventured into the king’s presence and begged that time be
granted, that he might petition his God to reveal to him the dream and
its interpretation.
To this request the monarch acceded. “Then Daniel went to his
house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
his companions.” Together they sought for wisdom from the Source of
light and knowledge. Their faith was strong in the consciousness that
God had placed them where they were, that they were doing His work
and meeting the demands of duty. In times of perplexity and danger
they had always turned to Him for guidance and protection, and He
had proved an ever-present help. Now with contrition of heart they
submitted themselves anew to the Judge of the earth, pleading that He
would grant them deliverance in this their time of special need. And
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they did not plead in vain. The God whom they had honored, now
honored them. The Spirit of the Lord rested upon them, and to Daniel,
“in a night vision,” was revealed the king’s dream and its meaning.