Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews.
Although their intention is not here expressed who accused Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, yet we gather from this event that the thing was most probably done on purpose when the king set up the golden image. We see how they were observed, and, as we said yesterday, Nebuchadnezzar seems to have followed the common practice of kings.
Those Chaldeans who accused them bore a grudge, likely because Daniel and his companions had eclipsed them; they requited good with evil for the very prayers that saved their lives. Envy is a bitter master and stands before nothing. Yet Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would not hide away; they stood in office and bore public testimony against gross idolatry, though it cost them everything.
AI summary
Commenting on Daniel 3:8-18
Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near,.... That is, to King Nebuchadnezzar, either in his palace at Babylon, or more likely in the plain of Dura: and accused the Jews; particularly Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, as after mentioned, of not obeying the king's command, to worship the golden image: these Chaldeans at the time of adoration had their eyes upon the Jews, particularly those...