What does Daniel 2:18 mean?

When King Nebuchadnezzar tested his occult advisors, they proved themselves false. They could not tell him what he had dreamed, so he had no reason to think they could supernaturally interpret the vision (Daniel 2:1–3). This also meant they had been lying about their powers (Daniel 2:9). They would be brutally killed as punishment (Daniel 2:5). Unfortunately, the king's rage also fell on other wise men, such as Daniel and his friends (Daniel 1:6–7, 19; 2:12). Daniel reacted calmly when the guards came to kill him, then promised he could answer the king's challenge (Daniel 2:13–16).

However, at the time he made the promise, Daniel knew nothing about the dream or what it meant. The court magicians were correct when they claimed Nebuchadnezzar's request was beyond human ability (Daniel 2:10–11). Only a real god could know what the king had dreamed without being told. Daniel, of course, was in communication with the only existing God. Here, he and his friends pray for wisdom and guidance. God will grant their request (Daniel 2:19).

Solving the mystery of the king's dream would preserve Daniel's life and the lives of his three friends. This action shows Daniel to be faithful as well as prayerful. Remarkably, these four Hebrew youths withstood the pagan influences of Babylon and remained true to their faith in the God of heaven and earth (Daniel 1:8–16). Although they were hundreds of miles from family and Jerusalem, they were still close to God. Later, both Daniel and his friends will face persecution (Daniel 3; 6) yet remain faithful. In the New Testament era, Christian believers will again demonstrate unity (Acts 2:42–47) and prayerful faith in the face of danger (Acts 4:29–31; 12:5).