Albert Barnes Commentary Daniel 6:18

"Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting; neither were instruments of music brought before him: and his sleep fled from him." — Daniel 6:18 (ASV)

Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting - Daniel was probably cast into the den soon after the going down of the sun (Daniel 6:14). It was not unusual then to have suppers late at night, as it is in many places now. The king's great anxiety, however, because of what had occurred, prevented him from participating in the usual evening meal.

Regarding the probability of what is affirmed here, no one who credits the previous statements can have any doubt. In the king's consciousness of wrong done to a worthy officer of the government; in his deep anxiety to deliver him; in the excitement that must have existed against the cunning and wicked authors of the plot to deceive the king and to ruin Daniel; and in his concern and hope that Daniel might, after all, escape—in all these, there is a satisfactory reason for the stated facts: that he had no desire for food; that instruments of music were not brought before him; and that he passed a sleepless night.

Neither were instruments of music brought before him - It was usual among the ancients to have music at their meals. This custom prevailed among the Greeks and Romans, and doubtless was common in the Eastern world. It should be observed, however, that there is considerable variety in the interpretation of the word here rendered instruments of music - דחון dachăvân. The margin reads table. The Latin Vulgate says, “He slept supperless, neither was food brought before him.” The Greek renders it “food,” ἐδέσματα edesmata. So the Syriac. Bertholdt and Gesenius render it concubines, and Saadias dancing girls. Any of these meanings would be appropriate; but it is impossible to determine which is the most correct. The word does not occur elsewhere in the Scriptures.