John Calvin Commentary Daniel 2:6

"But if ye show the dream and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honor: therefore show me the dream and the interpretation thereof." — Daniel 2:6 (ASV)

Here the king, on the other hand, desires to entice them with the hope of gain, to apply themselves to narrating his dream. He had already attempted to strike terror into them, so that even if they were unwilling, he might wrest the dream's narration from them, as well as its interpretation.

Meanwhile, if they could be persuaded by flattery, he tries this argument on them; for he promises a gift, and reward, and honor, that is, he promises a large remuneration if they narrated his dream and were faithful interpreters. From this we gather, as all history declares, that the Magi profited from their predictions and guesses.

The wise men of India, being frugal and austere in their way of life, were not entirely devoted to gain; for they are known to have lived without needing money, furniture, or anything else. They were content with roots, needed no clothing, slept on the ground, and were thus free from avarice.

But the Chaldeans, we know, ran here and there to obtain money from the simple and credulous. Therefore, the king here speaks according to custom when he promises a large reward. We must note here how the Chaldeans scattered their prophecies for the sake of gain; and when knowledge is made saleable, it is sure to be adulterated with many faults.

As when Paul speaks of corruptors of the Gospel, he says—they trafficked in it (2 Corinthians 2:7), because when a profit is made, as we have said before, even honorable teachers will inevitably degenerate and pervert all sincerity with their lying. For where avarice reigns, there is flattery, fawning servility, and all kinds of cunning, while truth is utterly extinguished.

Therefore, it is not surprising that the Chaldeans were so inclined to deceit, as it became natural to them through the pursuit of gain and the lust for wealth. Some honest teachers may receive support from the public treasury; but, as we have said, when anyone is drawn aside by profit, that person will inevitably pervert and corrupt all purity of doctrine. And from this passage we further gather the king's anxiety, as he had no wish to spare expense, if by this means he could obtain the interpretation of his dream from the Chaldeans; all the while he is furiously angry with them because he does not obtain what the offered reward should have procured.