John Calvin Commentary Daniel 2:49

"And Daniel requested of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel was in the gate of the king." — Daniel 2:49 (ASV)

Some ambition might be noticed here in the Prophet, since he obtains honors for his own companions. For when the king willingly offers him a command, he is obliged to accept it; he would not want to offend the mind of the proud king. This was necessary because he himself seeks prefectships from the king for others.

What shall we say was the origin of this conduct? As I have already hinted, Daniel might be suspected of ambition here, for it could be charged against him as a crime that he profited from the doctrine he had been divinely taught. But he was instead concerned for his people and wished to bring some comfort to them in their oppression.

For the Chaldeans treated their slaves tyrannically, and we know how the Jews were utterly hated by the whole world. Therefore, when Daniel, moved by pity, seeks some consolation for the people of God, there is no reason to accuse him of any fault. He was not swayed by personal gain and did not desire honors for himself or his companions for their own sakes; instead, his purpose was to enable his companions to help the Jews in their troubles.

Thus, the authority he obtains for them has no other purpose than to ensure the Jews were treated a little more humanely, since their condition would not be so harsh and bitter if they had prefects from their own people who would strive to treat them as brothers.

We now see how Daniel can be rightly acquitted of this charge without any difficulty or further argument; for the matter itself is clear enough, and we can readily conclude that Daniel was both pious and humane, and free from any charge of sin.

From the words was in the king’s gate, we should not understand this to mean he was a gatekeeper. Some suppose this phrase is used because justice was customarily administered there, but they are transferring to the Chaldeans what Scripture teaches us about the Jews. I interpret it more simply: Daniel was chief over the king’s court, as he held the supreme command there, and that meaning is more authentic. Besides, we are well aware of the Chaldean and Assyrian custom of making access to the king difficult. Daniel is therefore said to be at the gate, to prevent any entrance into the king’s palace except by his permission.