Charles Ellicott Commentary Daniel 5:17

"Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; nevertheless I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation." — Daniel 5:17 (ASV)

Let thy gifts be to thyself.— Daniel refused the king’s offer of reward at first, but afterwards accepted it. In this way he showed his determination to speak the truth without any respect to fee, gift, or reward. (Compare to the conduct of Elisha, 2 Kings 5:16; 2 Kings 8:9.)