The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.”
They add, that the object of the king’s inquiry surpassed the power of human ingenuity. There is no doubt that they were slow to confess this, because, as we said before, they had acquired the fame of such great wisdom, that the common people thought nothing unknown to them or concealed from them.
The date troubles many readers, but Daniel likely finished his schooling early and entered the king's service in just one year rather than three, making this event fall in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign when he was already trusted with high matters. The dream itself, forgotten yet troubling, is what brought this great need upon the king.
AI summary
Commenting on Daniel 2:1-13
And it is a rare thing the king requireth, Meaning not scarce, or seldom heard of; for they had before asserted it never had been required; but that it was hard and difficult, yea, with them, and as they supposed with any other, impossible to be done: and there is none other that can show it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is...