“Why is the decree from the king so harsh?” he asked. Then Arioch explained the situation to Daniel.
Daniel also had said, Whither does the edict haste from before the king? It seems by these words, that Daniel obliquely blames the king’s anger and ingratitude, because he did not inquire with sufficient diligence before he rushed forward to that cruel punishment.
Daniel was condemned to death with all the magicians, though he had not even been summoned, the sword of tyranny devours one as well as another. Yet by prudence toward men and prayer toward God he found favour; in both he prevailed, and so was enabled to answer with counsel and wisdom.
AI summary
Commenting on Daniel 2:14-23
And he answered and said to Arioch the king's captain,.... Or governor (m); over the persons before mentioned; either the king's guard or militia, or cooks or executioners: before, the manner in which Daniel answered is observed; here, the matter of it, as follows: why is the decree so hasty from the King? or, "why this rash", hasty, or cruel (as the Vulgate Latin version) decree from the king?