Daniel 2:49, commentary and pictures

At Daniel's request, using his standing with the king, the king set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego over the affairs of the province of Babylon, while Daniel himself remained at the king's gate. The king's gate where Daniel sat was the place where judgment was dispensed and administered. The three companions served in that province as counselors, judges, and rulers. They did not become proud or vain because of their honor. They rejoiced that God was honored and acknowledged above earthly rulers and that His kingdom was exalted above earthly kingdoms.

Their appointment followed Daniel asking the king for time to show the interpretation, making the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah that they would seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning the secret, with the Spirit of the Lord resting upon them. The secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision, and Daniel then brought the dream freshly to the king's mind with an interpretation showing remarkable events to come in prophetic history. Their appointment over the affairs of the province is the position they held when they were later accused of refusing to worship the king's gods and golden image. The verse belongs to the second chapter of Daniel, whose prophecy has been fulfilled with wonderful exactness as seen in the record of ancient history. That exact fulfillment testifies to the inspiration of the Scriptures and anchors faith amid rationalism and skepticism, and the prophecies of Daniel can be understood and explained, even by children, presenting the solemn and important truth that the coming of the Lord is at hand, to be brought before the people.

Their rise to positions of responsibility illustrates how God advances His faithful servants. Daniel served as prime minister in Babylon while remaining a prophet receiving heavenly instruction, showing that a business leader can be guided by God at every step without being a worldly, ambitious strategist. Daniel and his companions held important duties in connection with the government of Babylon yet remained fully in the service of God, their business life not separate from their religious life but part of their service to God. That work was done not to gain glory for self or to serve self but to serve and glorify Him, attending only to lawful business, and worshiping God in attending to such business is as true as worshiping Him in offering prayer, for God gives different offices and duties, some higher and some lowlier, but all are in the service of the Lord, and His blessing rests on everyone who puts forth faithful effort.