Daniel | Chapter Summaries + Study QuestionsSample

DANIEL 2

GOD REVEALS NEBUCHADNEZZAR’S DREAM TO DANIEL

Nebuchadnezzar has a troubling dream that leaves him anxious and unable to sleep. He summons his magicians and sorcerers, demanding not only that they interpret the dream but also that they describe the dream itself without him revealing it. Faced with this unreasonable task, the fortune tellers have nothing to offer, and Nebuchadnezzar orders their execution. When Daniel hears of this, he requests time to speak to the king.

Daniel, along with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, seeks God’s mercy and guidance. In response, God reveals both the dream and its interpretation to Daniel. Before reporting to the king, Daniel praises God for providing him knowledge and understanding.

When Daniel stands before Nebuchadnezzar, he boldly declares that it is God who revealed the mystery of the dream. Daniel describes the dream for Nebuchadnezzar, stating that his dream consisted of a giant statue made of four different types of metal: a head of gold, chest and arms of silver, middle and thighs of bronze, and legs and feet of iron and clay. In the dream, a large stone struck the feet of the statue, causing all four layers to collapse and crumble into dust.

Daniel explains the meaning of this dream, telling Nebuchadnezzar that the head of gold represents the Babylonian empire. The sections of silver, bronze, and iron, represent the three successive world powers following Babylon. From a historical context, these kingdoms will be Persia, Greece, and Rome, though this is not known to them at the time. The stone that destroys the statue represents God’s eternal kingdom, which will eventually overthrow all earthly kingdoms. Daniel trusts that God’s kingdom will be eternal, while man-made kingdoms will fall.

Nebuchadnezzar falls to his face and honors Daniel, acknowledging God as the one who revealed his dream. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are given higher positions of power within Babylon.

STUDY QUESTIONS

In Daniel 2:11, the magicians indirectly acknowledged God’s abilities by admitting that only “the gods” could reveal the king’s dream. What does this say about their awareness of divine power? Why do you think Daniel chose to protect them from execution (Daniel 2:24)?

Notice the sequence of events. Did Daniel make an appointment with King Nebuchadnezzar before or after God revealed the dream to him? What does this say about his confidence in God’s faithfulness?

Read Daniel 2:19–23. What did Daniel do before the dream was revealed to him? What did he do afterwards? What does this reveal about Daniel’s priorities?

How did Nebuchadnezzar’s dream demonstrate God’s sovereignty over the kingdoms of the world?