King Nebuchadnezzar Seeks Punishment For Dream Interpretation: Daniel 2 v 7 - 13

Daniel 2:7 "They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation of it."

This is the second time they have requested the king to tell the dream to them. They have not understood his previous answer. He has forgotten the details of the dream. Their mention of the fact they are servants to the king, is to show their willingness to interpret the dream, if it is in their power to do so.

The worldly men of human skill failed. Verses 8-13 show how impossible it is for humans to truly interpret dreams from God. But Daniel, who trusted God in prayer, received His supernatural interpretation. He gave credit to God in his prayer and his testimony before Nebuchadnezzar. Later the king, too, gave God the glory.

Daniel 2:8 "The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me."

We can all relate to the king in this. At some time in our life, each of us has had a troubling dream, that we could not recall when we woke up. We are aware that the dream troubled us, but we cannot remember the dream. This is what has happened to the king.

Daniel 2:9 "But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, [there is but] one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof."

Astrology is calculated by the position of the moon and stars, and time is wasting away here. This one incident will prove to the king for all time, whether they have been lying about their powers, or whether they truly do have supernatural power. This is much like the challenge that Elijah gave to the prophets of Baal. If they have power, prove it right now. The only thing that will save them is the dream and its interpretation.

Daniel 2:10 "The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: therefore [there is] no king, lord, nor ruler, [that] asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean."

They have now made a truthful statement. No man can do these things. This can only be revealed by the True God. They were used to being asked about interpretations, but never to tell what the dream was, as well. They are almost scolding the king for even asking for such a thing. They remind him, that no previous king has asked such impossibility.

Daniel 2:11 "And [it is] a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh."

We see in the following Scripture that even true interpretations are from God alone.

Genesis 40:8 "And they said unto him, we have dreamed a dream, and [there is] no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, [Do] not interpretations [belong] to God? Tell me [them], I pray you." God is the dream giver, and God is the true interpreter. Anything that is Impossible with man is possible with God.

Matthew 19:26 "But Jesus beheld [them], and said unto them, with men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."

Daniel 2:12 "For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise [men] of Babylon."

The king's eyes were opened, and he realized these worldly men had no power at all. He had placed his faith in them, and they had failed him. He demanded that they be killed.

Daniel 2:13 "And the decree went forth that the wise [men] should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain."

Now, we see the command to kill all of the wise men extends to Daniel and his companions. The king has grouped them all together as liars and deceivers.