10 The queen, on account of the words of the king and his great men, to the banquet-house hath come up. Answered hath the queen, and said, 'O king, to the ages live; let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor thy countenance be changed: 11 there is a man in thy kingdom in whom 'is' the spirit of the holy gods: and, in the days of thy father, light, and understanding, and wisdom—as the wisdom of the gods—was found in him; and king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, chief of the scribes, enchanters, Chaldeans, soothsayers, established him—thy father, O king— 12 because that an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and showing of enigmas, and loosing of knots was found in him, in Daniel, whose name the king made Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and the interpretation he doth show.' 13 Then Daniel hath been caused to come up before the king; answered hath the king, and said to Daniel, 'Thou art that Daniel who 'art' of the sons of the Removed of Judah, whom the king my father brought in out of Judah? 14 And I have heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods 'is' in thee, and light, and understanding, and excellent wisdom have been found in thee. 15 'And now, caused to come up before me have been the wise men, the enchanters, that this writing they may read, and its interpretation to cause me to know: and they are not able to shew the interpretation of the thing: 16 and I—I have heard of thee, that thou art able to give interpretations, and to loose knots: now, lo—thou art able to read the writing, and its interpretation to cause me to know—purple thou dost put on, and a bracelet of gold 'is' on thy neck, and third in the kingdom thou dost rule.' 17 Then hath Daniel answered and said before the king, 'Thy gifts be to thyself, and thy fee to another give; nevertheless, the writing I do read to the king, and the interpretation I cause him to know;

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Daniel 5:10-17

Commentary on Daniel 5:10-17

(Read Daniel 5:10-17)

Daniel was forgotten at court; he lived privately, and was then ninety years of age. Many consult servants of God on curious questions, or to explain difficult subjects, but without asking the way of salvation, or the path of duty. Daniel slighted the offer of reward. He spoke to Belshazzar as to a condemned criminal. We should despise all the gifts and rewards this world can give, did we see, as we may by faith, its end hastening on; but let us do our duty in the world, and do it all the real service we can.