Daniel 2:14

For Arioch the Chief-Butcher was about to kill both Daniel and his three friends, for he went out to kill the wise men of Babylon. For Scripture said that the Chief-Butcher himself began to take the sword. For even as a butcher kills all creatures and butchers them, in the same way also the rulers of this world kill men, butchering them as unreasoning animals, but Daniel went forth and said, "'For what reason has this reckless proposition come out from the face of the king?'

); he did not fall into a passion, and reproach the king as unjust and barbarous, much less did he contrive how to make resistance, but mildly asked, Why is the decree so hasty?

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Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom,.... In a discreet manner, using soft words and gentle language, humbly and modestly inquiring what should be the meaning of all this.

Daniel knew how by prayer to converse with God, and he found favour with him, both in petition and in thanksgiving, which are the two principal parts of prayer. His humble petition for this mercy, that God would discover to him what was the king's dream, and the interpretation of it.

Then Daniel answered - Margin, “returned.” The original literally is, “returned counsel and wisdom,” meaning, that he returned an answer which was replete with wisdom. It would seem probable that Arioch had communicated to Daniel the decree of the king, and had stated to him that he was involved in that decree, and must prepare to die. Counsel and wisdom - That is, “wise counsel.” He evinced great prudence and discretion in what he said. He made such a suggestion to Arioch as, if acted on, would stay the execution of the sentence against all the wise men, and would secure the object which the king had in view. What was the exact nature of this answer is not mentioned. It is probable, however, that it was that he might be enabled to disclose the dream, and that he made this so plausible to Arioch, that he was disposed to allow him to make the trial. It is evident that Arioch would not have consented to arrest the execution of the sentence, unless it had appeared to him to be in the highest degree probable that he would be able to relieve the anxiety of the king. Knowing that the “main” object of the king was to obtain the interpretation of his dream, and seeing that this object was not any the more likely to be secured by the execution of this stern decree, and knowing the high favor with which Daniel had been received at court Dan 1:19-21, he seems to have been willing to assume some measure of responsibility, and to allow Daniel to make his own representation to the king. To Arioch the captain of the king’s guard - Margin, “chief of the executioners, or slaughter-men, or chief marshal.” Greek, ἀρχιμαγείρῳ τοῦ βασιλέως archimageirō tou basileōs - chief cook of the king. The Vulgate renders this,” Then Daniel inquired respecting the law and the sentence of Arioch, the commander of the royal army.” The Chaldee word rendered “guard” is טבחיא ṭabâchayâ'. […]