The second year of the reign

"The year of that monarch's accession, in the canon, is 604 B.C. And to this date the prophet refers in the vision of the image, which is said to be in the second  year  of Nebuchadnezzar's reign. But it appears from other passages, that this monarch began to reign conjointly with his father  two years earlier; and from this earlier accession his years, and those of the captivity, are reckoned in every other place. This appears from Daniel's own narrative. He and his fellows were nourished three full years to stand before the king. Yet the vision was interpreted in Nebuchadnezzar's second year. Hence the separation of those youths must have been more than one and less than two years before his accession, and their captivity still earlier..." (The Four Prophetic Empires, Rev T.R. Birks, MA. pp.25,26. 1845.)

The second year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign 603 B.C.

Dreamed dreams

The Lord in His providence gave Nebuchadnezzar this dream. God had a message for the king. The dream was intended to reveal to Nebuchadnezzar that it was God who ordained the events of history. Nebuchadnezzar believed in dreams as one of the means by which the gods revealed their will to men.

Wherewith his spirit was troubled

Or "was disturbed". The dream experience greatly impressed King Nebuchadnezzar.

DANIEL 2:2
THEN THE KING COMMANDED TO CALL THE MAGICIANS, AND THE ASTROLOGERS, AND THE SORCERERS, AND THE CHALDEANS, FOR TO SHEW THE KING HIS DREAMS. SO THEY CAME AND STOOD BEFORE THE KING.  

The Magicians

The magicians practiced magic, fortune–telling.

The Astrologers

The Astrologers foretold the future by studying the stars.

The Sorcerers

The Sorcerers professed to hold communications with the dead.

 The Chaldeans

The term applies to a class of scholars at the Babylonian court who were the foremost astronomers of their day.
 

DANIEL 2:3
AND THE KING SAID UNTO THEM, I HAVE DREAMED A DREAM, AND  MY SPIRIT WAS TROUBLED TO KNOW THE DREAM.

Though the king had been deeply impressed by the dream, when he awoke he found it impossible to recall the details.


DANIEL 2:4
THEN SPAKE THE CHALDEANS TO THE KING IN SYRIACK, O KING, LIVE FOR EVER: TELL THY SERVANTS THE DREAM, AND WE WILL SHEW  THE INTERPRETATION.

Syriack - "Aramaic"

The royal family and the ruling class of the empire were Aramaic speaking Chaldeans originating from southern Mesopotamia. It is therefore not surprising to find that the king's courtiers spoke to him in Aramaic  and not in Babylonian, the tongue of the native population of Babylon. 

From this verse on, right up to the end of chapter 7, the record is in Aramaic and not in Hebrew, as is the remainder of the book.

There are several reasons why Daniel wrote in two languages.

The one most favoured is that the author began to write in Aramaic at the point where the Chaldeans addressed the "king in Syriack " (literally Aramaic) and continued in this language. 

O king live forever

A greeting that possibly would please the king, ancient inscriptions read something like this "May Nabu and Marduk give long day and everlasting years to the king my lord."


DANIEL 2:5
THE KING ANSWERED AND SAID TO THE CHALDEANS, THE THING IS GONE FROM ME: IF YE WILL NOT MAKE KNOWN UNTO ME THE DREAM, WITH THE INTERPRETATION THEREOF, YE SHALL BE MADE A  DUNGHILL.  

The thing is gone from me

The dream was purposely taken from the king that the wise men should not place upon it a false interpretation. F.E. 412.

Cut in pieces

Literally "dismembered". They were to be cut from limb to limb, such cruelty was common in the ancient world. The Assyrians and Babylonians were notorious for the severity and barbarity of their treatment of offenders.

Ye shall be made a dunghill

or "your houses shall be spoiled."


DANIEL 2:6
BUT  IF YE SHEW THE DREAM, AND THE INTERPRETATION THEREOF, YE SHALL RECEIVE OF ME GIFTS AND REWARDS AND GREAT HONOUR:  THEREFORE SHEW ME THE DREAM, AND THE INTERPRETATION THEREOF.  

You have two extremes in rewards - either extreme cruelty or on the other hand great reward.


DANIEL 2:7
THEY ANSWERED AGAIN AND SAID, LET THE KING TELL HIS SERVANTS THE DREAM AND WE WILL SHEW THE INTERPRETATION OF IT.

The wise men realize that they are up against it so they play for time.


DANIEL 2:8
THE KING ANSWERED AND SAID, I KNOW OF CERTAINTY THAT YE WOULD GAIN THE TIME, BECAUSE YE SEE THE THING IS GONE FROM ME.

Their repeated request aroused the suspicion of the king that they were seeking to gain an advantage by delay. It is doubtful whether he really questioned their ability to give him the desired information for he knew that the gods communicated with men.


DANIEL 2:9
BUT IF YE WILL NOT MAKE KNOWN UNTO ME THE DREAM, THERE IS BUT ONE DECREE FOR YOU: FOR YE HAVE PREPARED LYING AND CORRUPT WORDS TO SPEAK BEFORE ME, TILL THE TIME BE CHANGED: THEREFORE TELL ME THE DREAM, AND I SHALL KNOW THAT YE CAN SHEW ME THE INTERPRETATION THEREOF.

Having prepared lying and corrupt words

He probably means by this that they have agreed together, as to what they should tell the king about the meaning of his dream.

Till the time be changed

This could mean either until the king should forget the whole affair or till they could invent some form of reply.


DANIEL 2:10
THE CHALDEANS ANSWERED BEFORE THE KING, AND SAID, THERE IS NOT A NAN UPON THE EARTH THAT CAN SHEW THE KING'S MATTER, FORRASMUCH AS NO KING, LORD, OR RULER, HATH ASKED SUCH A THING OR ANY MAGICIAN OR ENCHANTER , OR CHALDEAN.

The Chaldeans were compelled to acknowledge their inability to reveal the dream. They told the king that he was asking something that was beyond human power to reveal, and that no king had ever made such an unreasonable request of any  of his subjects.


DANIEL 2:11
AND IT IS A RARE THING THAT THE KING REQUIRETH, AND THERE  IS NO OTHER THAT CAN SHOW IT BEFORE THE KING, EXCEPT THE GODS, WHOSE DWELLING IS NOT WITH FLESH.

Probably the real idea behind what they said would be that only the "high gods" or the great or "supreme gods"  could reveal such a thing. They implied that they did not have any dealings with these "high gods" but only with the subordinate or lower gods. This distinction in rank among the heathen deities is found all through the heathen religions.


DANIEL 2:12
FOR THIS CAUSE THE KING WAS VERY ANGRY AND VERY FURIOUS, AND  COMMANDED TO DESTROY ALL THE WISE MEN OF BABYLON.

The severity of the sentence was in keeping with the times but it was a bold step on the part of the king because the men sentenced to death were the learned masses of  society.


DANIEL 2:13
SO THE DECREE WENT FORTH, AND THE WISE MEN WERE TO BE SLAIN: AND THEY SOUGHT DANIEL AND HIS COMPANIONS TO BE SLAIN. (RSV)

This decree by Nebuchadnezzar was not to be any quiet or secret assassination but it was to be a public execution. The proper officials were sent out to round up the condemned men. As Daniel and his companions were by this time regarded as being included among the professional wise men they were also hunted up by the officials even though they had not been among those who were summoned before the king.


DANIEL 2:14
THEN DANIEL ANSWERED WITH COUNSEL AND WISDOM TO ARIOCH THE CAPTAIN OF THE KING'S GUARD, WHICH WAS GONE FORTH TO SLAY THE  WISE MEN OF BABYLON:

Possibly Daniel was taken by surprise as it would still be in the early hours of the day. However he answered with tact and discretion.


DANIEL 2:15
HE ANSWERED AND SAID TO ARIOCH THE KING'S CAPTAIN, WHY IS THE DECREE SO HASTY FROM THE KING? THEN ARIOCH MADE THE THING KNOWN TO DANIEL.

Daniel wanted to know what was the urgency of the matter. Why was the king in such a desperate hurry to have the wise men destroyed.


DANIEL 2:16
THEN DANIEL WENT IN, AND DESIRED OF THE KING THAT HE  SHOULD GIVE HIM TIME, AND THAT HE WOULD SHEW THE KING THE INTERPRETATION.

One of the things that infuriated the king was that the wise men were seeking to postpone their answer.  Obviously the king was still troubled over the dream and may have been happy over the prospect of finding a solution to the mystery that was troubling him. Seeing that Daniel had not been consulted previously the king may have thought that it was only fair to give him an opportunity. Also Nebuchadnezzar had been impressed with Daniel's ability. 

Show the king the interpretation

Daniel's request differed from that of the Chaldeans. The wise men demanded that the king relate to them his dream.  Daniel simply requested time, and assured the king that the interpretation would be provided.


DANIEL 2:17
THEN DANIEL WENT TO  HIS HOUSE, AND MADE THE THING KNOWN TO HANANIAH, MISHAEL, AND AZARIAH, HIS COMPANIONS:

There was several providential circumstances which combined to bring about a happy end to this whole affair:

1. The king's dream had made a profound impression on his mind.

2. Being unable to recall the dream it exposed the false claims  of the wise men.

3. That Daniel was not consulted by the king in the first place gave him an opportunity to expose the false heathen system.

4. Also the wise men had a free chance with no one to hinder them  with their lives at stake. We may be assured they did their best.


DANIEL 2:18
THAT THEY WOULD DESIRE MERCIES OF THE GOD OF HEAVEN CONCERNING THIS SECRET: THAT DANIEL AND HIS FELLOWS SHOULD NOT PERISH WITH THE REST OF THE WISE MEN OF BABYLON.

Daniel and his companions could approach God with strong faith and confidence because they were to the best of their ability living up to His revealed will.


DANIEL 2:19
THEN WAS THE SECRET REVEALED UNTO DANIEL IN A NIGHT VISION. THEN DANIEL  BLESSED THE GOD OF HEAVEN.  

God blessed the devotion and loyalty of Daniel and his companions by revealing to him the dream and the interpretation.


DANIEL 2:20
DANIEL ANSWERED AND SAID, BLESSED BE THE NAME OF GOD FOR EVER AND EVER: FOR WISDOM AND MIGHT ARE HIS:  

Name of God

This expression is frequently used to denote the being, power and activity of God. "Name" is often used in the Bible synonymously with "character."

All true wisdom has its source in God. The boasted claim of the Babylonians that their deities possessed wisdom and insight had been demonstrated to be false.


DANIEL 2:21
AND HE CHANGETH THE TIMES AND THE SEASONS: HE REMOVETH KINGS, AND SETTETH UP KINGS: HE GIVETH WISDOM UNTO THE WISE, AND KNOWLEDGE TO THEM THAT KNOW UNDERSTANDING:

It is God who has control of times and the Scripture indicates that He has a time schedule. God is at the controls of international affairs although sometimes it may not seem that way. Kings come and go, the nations rise and fall, economies flourish and economies fail. But God remains in control even when international affairs seem to be out of control. 

Giveth wisdom and understanding

The Lord delights to bestow wisdom upon those  who will use it wisely and well. He did this far Daniel and He will do it today for every one who trusts fully in Him.


DANIEL 2:22
HE REVEALETH THE DEEP AND SECRET THINGS; HE KNOWETH WHAT IS IN THE DARKNESS, AND THE LIGHT DWELLETH WITH HIM. 

There are so many ways that the Lord reveals Himself. In the beauty we see all around us, the lovely flowers ,the graceful trees, the rugged mountains and the green valleys. 

The deep and secret things

That is the things that are beyond human comprehension. The universe itself so vast, and so wonderful and yet so mysterious.

In the darkness

That which man is unable to see is not hidden from the eye of God for He can see it all.


DANIEL 2:23
I THANK THEE, AND PRAISE THEE, 0 THOU GOD OF MY FATHERS WHO HAST GIVEN ME WISDOM AND MIGHT, AND HAST MADE KNOWN UNTO ME NOW WHAT WE DESIRED OF THEE;  FOR THOU HAST NOW MADE KNOWN UNTO US  THE KING'S MATTER.

I thank thee and praise thee

In the original it reads, "To Thee, 0 God of my father's, I give thanks." It was more than thanks to God, for the revelation given to him meant life to all concerned.

Who hast given me wisdom and might

Daniel was ready to acknowledge that whatever wisdom he possessed came from a divine source.


DANIEL 2:24
THEREFORE DANIEL WENT IN UNTO ARIOCH, WHOM THE KING  HAD ORDAINED TO DESTROY THE WISE MEN OF BABYLON: HE WENT AND SAID THUS UNTO HIM; DESTROY NOT THE WISE MEN OF BABYLON; BRING ME IN BEFORE THE KING, AND I  WILL SHEW UNTO THE KING THE INTERPRETATION. 

Daniel's first concern was to plead for the wise men of Babylon that the sentence of death upon them might be cancelled. The secret had been revealed to Daniel, and because of this the lives of all the group should be spared.


DANIEL 2:25
THEN ARIOCH BROUGHT IN DANIEL BEFORE THE KING IN HASTE, AND SAID THUS UNTO HIM, I HAVE FOUND A MAN OF THE CAPTIVES OF JUDAH, THAT WILL  MAKE KNOWN UNTO THE KING THE INTERPRETATION.

These words indicate that Daniel himself did not have an audience with the king as is suggested in verse 16. 

In haste

In great excitement, possibly because of his great joy that the secret had been discovered. He might now be spared the gory task of executing all the wise men.


DANIEL 2:26
THE KING ANSWERED AND SAID TO DANIEL, WHOSE NAME WAS BELTESHAZZAR, ART THOU ABLE TO MAKE KNOWN UNTO ME  THE DREAM WHICH  I HAVE SEEN, AND THE INTERPRETATION THEREOF?

The king was still skeptical about the claim of this young man to be able to reveal the secret.


DANIEL 2:27
DANIEL ANSWERED IN THE PRESENCE OF THE KING, AND SAID, THE SECRET WHICH THE KING HATH DEMANDED CANNOT THE  WISE MEN, THE ASTROLOGERS, THE MAGICIANS, THE SOOTHSAYERS, SHEW UNTO THE KING;

Daniel had no desire o exalt himself above the wise men. He wished to impress upon the king the futility of trusting his wise men for counsel and help. He wanted the king to realize there was a greater source of wisdom  and knowledge,  the great God whom he worshipped who was the true source of revealing secrets.


DANIEL 2:28
BUT THERE IS A GOD IN HEAVEN THAT REVEALETH SECRETS, AND MAKETH KNOWN TO THE KING NEBUCHADNEZZARE WHAT SHALL BE IN THE LATTER DAYS, THY DREAM, AND THE VISIONS OF THEY HEAD UPON THY BED, ARE THESE;

The message of this dream was not only for Nebuchadnezzar but it was a message that would be for all rulers and people right down to the end of time.

Undoubtedly Nebuchadnezzar was concerned with the future of his  great empire, and in this dream God not only revealed the destiny of his empire but of succeeding empires as well.


DANIEL 2:29
AS FOR THEE, 0 KING, THY THOUGHTS CAME INTO THY MIND UPON THY BED, THAT SHOULD COME TO PASS HEREAFTER: AND HE THAT REVEALETH SECRETS MAKETH KNOWN TO THEE WHAT SHALL COME TO PASS.

Daniel starts in by telling the king what he had been thinking  about before he had this dream that had disturbed him so much. Nebuchadnezzar had been considering the future of his great empire and it was because of his desire to know the future not only of his empire, but the world itself that God gave him this extraordinary picture of the rise and fall of the great powers right down to the greatest event of all, the setting up of God's own kingdom.


DANIEL 2:30
BUT AS FOR ME, THIS SECRET IS NOT REVEALED TO ME FOR ANY WISDOM THAT I HAVE MORE THAN ANY LIVING, BUT FOR THEIR SAKES THAT SHALL MAKE KNOWN THE INTERPRETATION TO THE KING, AND THAT THOU  MIGHTEST KNOW THE THOUGHTS OF THY HEART.

Daniel disclaims any personal wisdom in making known the dream to the king. He is anxious that the king should understand that his knowledge comes from a divine source.


DANIEL 2:31
THOU, 0 KING, SAWEST, AND BEHOLD A GREAT IMAGE, THIS GREAT IMAGE, WHOSE BRIGHTNESS WAS EXCELLENT, STOOD BEFORE THEE AND THE FORM THEREOF WAS TERRIBLE.

What he saw was  a great image, or more correctly, a colossus, a figure well known in the ancient world.

Herodotus tells of a golden statue of Bel, twelve cubits high, which still existed in his day. The bronze Apollo erected 280 B.C. on the shore of the harbor of Rhodes, was said to be 100 ft high and was one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world.


DANIEL 2:32
THIS IMAGE'S HEAD WAS OF FINE GOLD, HIS BREAST AND HIS ARMS OF SILVER, HIS BELLY AND HIS THIGHS OF BRASS,  

A large image or statue of any sort would naturally be an object of interest to any pagan, especially seeing that this one was extraordinarily brilliant. Naturally the king's attention would be directed to the head of gold as he began to take in the details, noticing the other metals  of which the image was composed. he may not at first noticed how that there was a deterioration in quality and appearance. Looking carefully at the great image reveals that it was of very unstable construction. The fragile feet doomed the whole thing even if a stone had not appeared to destroy it.


DANIEL 2:33
HIS LEGS OF IRON HIS FEET PART OF IRON ND PART OF CLAY.

As Nebuchadnezzar's gaze went from the head to the breast  and then to the belly and thighs, he must have wondered why there was there was this deterioration of metals. This in itself would have made him do quite a deal of thinking.


DANIEL 2:34
THOU SAWEST TILL THAT A STONE WAS CUT WITHOUT HANDS, WHICH SMOTE THE IMAGE UPON HIS FEET THAT WERE OF IRON AND CLAY, AND BRAKE THEM TO PIECES. 

The fact that the stone mentioned here was cut out without human hands, very clearly implies that it was supernatural in nature.  For it had nothing to do with human craftsmanship. Also that it crushed this great image, indicates that it was no ordinary stone.


DANIEL 2:35
THEN WAS THE IRON, THE CLAY, THE BRASS, THE SILVER, AND THE GOLD, BROKEN TO PIECES TOGETHER, AND BECAME LIKE THE CHAFF OF THE SUMMER THRESHINGFLOORS; AND THE WIND CARRIED THEM AWAY, THAT NO PLACE  WAS FOUND FOR THE: AND THE STONE THAT SMOTE THE IMAGE BECAME A GREAT MOUNTAIN, AND FILLED THE WHOLE EARTH.

One of the astonishing facts revealed by archaeology is that the Chaldeans, the leading priests of the god Bel - Marduk, also represented as priests of the Great Mountain." This cult of Shadu Rabu, or the Great Mountain, was one of the most powerful cults of Babylonia. At the mention of this term by Daniel, the king's mind would (be) impressed.


DANIEL 2:36
THIS IS THE DREAM; AND WE WILL TELL THE INTERPRETATION THEREOF BEFORE THE KING.

Daniel includes his companions in that they have joined him in earnest prayer that the interpretation might be revealed.


DANIEL 2:37
THOU, O KING, ART A KING OF KINGS: FOR THE GOD  OF HEAVEN HATH GIVEN THEE  A KINGDOM, POWER, AND STRENGTH, AND GLORY.

Nebuchadnezzar became one of the greatest sovereigns of the ancient world, enjoying a long and prosperous reign of some forty three years. 

The God of heaven hath given thee

In his inscriptions Nebuchadnezzar attributes his real success to his god Marduk, but Daniel corrects this mistaken idea. He affirms that it is the God of heaven who has bestowed such power upon him.


DANIEL 2:38
AND WHERESOEVER THE CHILDREN OF MEN DWELL, THE BEASTS OF THE FIELD AND THE FOWLS OF THE HEAVEN HATH HE GIVEN INTO THINE HAND, AND HATH MADE THEE RULER OVER THEM ALL. THOU ART THIS HEAD  OF GOLD.

This is a fitting representation of Babylon's dominion in the time of Nebuchadnezzar. The manner in which ancient kings included the animal world in their sphere of domination is illustrated by a statement of Shalmaneser 111; "Ninurta and Palil, who love my priesthood, have given me all the beasts of the field." 

Thou art this head of gold

This does not mean the king himself, but rather his kingdom, Babylon. The term king and kingdoms are used interchangeably in this connection, both in this chapter and in the following ones, particularly the eleventh.

Isaiah called Babylon "the golden city" (Isaiah 14:4). An abundance of gold was used in embellishing Babylon

Herodotus describes in lavish terms how gold sparkled in the sacred temples of the city.


DANIEL 2:39
AND AFTER THEE SHALL ARISE ANOTHER KINGDOM INFERIOR TO THEE, ANOTHER THIRD KINGDOM OF BRASS, WHICH SHALL BEAR RULE, OVER ALL THE EARTH.

At first one would be inclined to question this statement for Medo-Persia was not inferior to Babylon in either power or territory. In contrasting the two empires we find that Medo­-Persia covered more territory, also it was not inferior in riches or grandeur. But it was inferior in the matter of unity and compactness of organization. History does not look upon it as being so grand. 

And another third kingdom of brass

The empire of Alexander succeeded that of Medo-Persia when Alexander won the battle of Arbela in 331 B.C.

The Greeks were noted far and wide for their brass armour which was a new thing and gave them a great superiority over their enemies. 

Which shall bear rule over all the earth

History records that the rule of Alexander extended over Macedonia, Greece, and the Persian empire including Egypt and extending eastward to India. It was the most extensive empire of the ancient world up to that time.


DANIEL 2:40
AND THE FOURTH KINGDOM SHALL BE STRONG AS IRON: FORASMUCH AS IRON BREAKETH IN PIECES AND SUBDUETH ALL THINGS: AND AS IRON THAT BREAKETH ALL THESE, SHALL IT BREAK IN PIECES AND BRUISE. 

The kingdom that succeeded the divided remnants of the Macedonian empire of Alexander was what Edward Gibbon the great historian has aptly called "the iron monarchy of Rome."  

Break in pieces and bruise

Crushing one opponent after another, she finally became the conqueror of the Mediterranean world and Western Europe.


DANIEL 2:41
AND WHEREAS THOU SAWEST THE FEET AND TOES, PART OF POTTER'S CLAY, AND PART OF IRON, THE KINGDOM SHALL BE DIVIDED;  BUT THERE SHALL BE IN IT OF THE STRENGTH OF THE IRON, FORASMUCH  AS THOU SAWE5T THE IRON MIXED WITH MIRY CLAY.  

It is interesting to notice that Medo-Persia was represented by the chest and arms. Rome by the two legs of iron, which could represent Eastern and Western Rome. Naturally when we think of the feet we conclude that there were ten toes, although the text does not mention any number. 

In chapter 7 the fourth beast which represents Rome is said to have ten horns, these are explained as meaning ten kings. Also the text suggests that some of these kingdoms would  be strong and some would be weak.


DANIEL 2:42
AND AS THE TOES OF THE FEET WERE PART OF IRON, AND PART OF CLAY, SO THE KINGDOMS SHALL BE PARTLY STRONG AND PARTLY BROKEN.

These barbarian kingdoms differed greatly in  military prowess. as the famous historian Edward Gibbon states when he refers to the "powerful monarchies of the Franks and the Visigoths, and the dependent kingdoms of the Sueves and Burgundians."


DANIEL 2:43
AND WHEREAS THOU SAWEST IRON MIXED WITH MIRY CLAY, THEY SHALL MINGLE THEMSELVES WITH THE SEED OF MEN: BUT THEY SHALL NOT CLEAVE ONE TO ANOTHER, EVEN AS IRON IS NOT MIXED WITH CLAY. 

They shall mingle themselves with the seed of men.

Attempts would be made by intermarriage to bring about unity. Down through the centuries attempts have been made to make marriage alliances between the various royal families. To such an extent has this been carried out that at a certain point in the latter part of the 19th century, Queen Victoria was called "the grandmother of all Europe." 

They shall not cleave one to another

Daniel's prophecy has stood and will stand the test of time. Various attempts to unite into one great nation or empire the divided nations have ended in failure.


DANIEL 2:44
AND IN THE DAYS OF THESE KINGS SHALL THE GOD OF HEAVEN SET UP A KINGDOM, WHICH SHALL NEVER BE DESTROYED: AND THE KINGDOM SHALL NOT BE LEFT TO OTHER PEOPLE, BUT IT SHALL BREAK IN PIECES AND CONSUME ALL THESE KINGDOMS, AND IT SHALL STAND FOR EVER. 

This everlasting kingdom is symbolized by the stone which struck the image on the feet and toes. The everlasting kingdom is the kingdom of Christ which He will set up down at the close of time. 

As pictured here in this prophecy the symbol is very dramatic. The stone or what it represents (the setting up of Christ's everlasting kingdom) is to smash all earthly governments with violence thus causing their total destruction.


DANIEL 2:45
FORASMUCH AS THOU SAWEST THAT THE STONE WAS CUT OUT OF THE MOUNTAIN WITHOUT HANDS, AND THAT IT BRAKE IN PIECES THE IRON, THE BRASS, THE CLAY, THE SILVER, AND THE GOLD; THE GREAT GOD HATH MADE KNOWN TO THE KING WHAT SHALL COME TO PASS HEREAFTER: AND THE DREAM IS CERTAIN, AND THE INTERPRETATION THEREOF SURE.

The stone was cut out of the mountain without hands 

The stone mentioned here is a "single stone," or could be described as a sling stone. 

The word "rock," is used several times in the Scriptures as a symbol of God. We are all familiar with the hymn 'Rock of Ages',  the Rock spoken of in that famous hymn represents  Jesus Christ.  How fitting a symbol is the stone of this prophecy which represents Jesus Christ the Rock of Ages setting up His everlasting kingdom.


DANIEL 2:46
THEN THE KING NEBUCHADNEZZAR FELL UPON HIS FACE, AND WORSHIPPED DANIEL, AND COMMANDED THAT THEY SHOULD OFFER AN OBLATION AND SWEET ODOURS UNTO HIM.  

It has been suggested that Nebuchadnezzar was not worshipping Daniel but through Daniel was adoring Daniel's God.

Some commentators draw attention to Josephus record  of how Alexander the Great bowed before the Jewish high Priest,  and when Parmenio, the king's general, inquired concerning the meaning of this act, Alexander replied, "I did it not to adore him but that God  who hath honoured him with his high priesthood."

Nebuchadnezzar had a very limited knowledge of the true God and was doing the best he knew at the time to express his thankfulness.


DANIEL 2:47
THE KING  ANSWERED UNTO DANIEL AND SAID, OF A TRUTH IT IS, THAT YOUR GOD IS A GOD OF GODS, AND A LORD OF KINGS, AND A REVEALER OF SECRETS, SEEING THOU COULDEST REVEAL THIS SECRET.

This can be translated "your God is a God of gods."  Nebuchadnezzar who called his patron god Marduk "lord of gods," acknowledges that Daniel's God is infinitely superior  to any of the so called gods of the Babylonians.


DANIEL 2:48
THEN THE KING MADE DANIEL A GREAT MAN, AND GAVE HIM MANY GREAT GIFTS, AND MADE HIM RULER OVER THE WHOLE PROVINCE OF BABYLON, AND CHIEF OF THE GOVERNORS OVER ALL THE WISE MEN OF BABYLON.  

Daniel was promoted to the place of administrator of the chief province of the empire, in which was the capital itself.

God not only gave Daniel understanding regarding the dream but placed Daniel in this high position so that he might exercise an influence in the mighty empire of Babylon as well.


DANIEL 2:49
THEN DANIEL REQUESTED OF THE KING,AND HE SET SHADRACH,  MESHACH, AND ABEDNEGO, OVER THE AFFAIRS OF THE PROVINCE OF .BABYLON: BUT DANIEL SAT IN THE GATE OF THE KING.  

Daniel knew that with his three companions assisting him in the running of the empire, he could depend upon their loyalty. Also being men of prayer they would bring strength to his leader ship.