Then Daniel answered and said before the king, “Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king and make known to him the interpretation.
First of all, Daniel here rejects the proffered gifts. We do not read of his doing so before; he rather seemed to delight in the honors conferred by King Nebuchadnezzar. We may inquire into the reason for this difference. It is not probable that the intention, feeling, or sentiments of the Prophet were different.
The queen-mother came to his rescue with counsel, for she knew Daniel, a man in whom dwelt the spirit of the holy gods, with light and understanding and wisdom beyond all the other wise men. The king's physicians for melancholy were his own counselors; he needed a physician for his pride, and she knew where to find him.
AI summary
Commenting on Daniel 5:10-29
Then Daniel answered and said before the king,.... With great freedom, boldness, and intrepidity: let thy gifts be to thyself; remain with thee; I neither want them, nor desire them; nor will I receive them on condition of reading and interpreting the writing: and give thy rewards to another; which he had promised to those that could read and interpret the handwriting on the wall...