What does Daniel 2:49 mean?

When Daniel was taken from his homeland (Daniel 1:1–5), he and three other captives retained their faith in God (Daniel 1:6–16). When the Babylonian king ordered the slaughter of his wise men over a mysterious dream (Daniel 2:10–16), Daniel and his three friends prayed for God's intervention (Daniel 2:17–19). God answered the request and allowed him to answer the king's challenge (Daniel 2:27–45). As a result, king Nebuchadnezzar appointed Daniel to a position of great power (Daniel 2:46–48). Perhaps Nebuchadnezzar wanted Daniel to be close by as his chief advisor.

Daniel did not forget those faithful friends who had prayed for him. He asked Nebuchadnezzar to favor them, probably noting they were skilled and competent men who also knew Daniel's God (Daniel 1:17–20). As a result, Nebuchadnezzar appointed them over the business of the province of Babylon. They would share administrative duties there with Daniel, who remained at the king's court. Proverbs 3:27 offers sound advice for everyone who desires to be a true friend to others. It counsels: "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it." Daniel received the power to do good to those to whom it was due, and he did not fail.

These three friends—Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah—will see their faith strongly tested in their new positions. The trio is most famously known by their Babylonian names of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Their refusal to worship anyone other than the God of Israel leads to their experience in a blazing furnace (Daniel 3).