Daniel 2:18

“That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret, etc.] His view in sending for them, and informing them of this whole affair, was to engage them in prayer to God with him; even to that God that made the heaven, and dwells there, and is above all, and sees and knows what is done in earth, and rules both in heaven and in earth according to his will; to entreat his mercy, whose mercies are manifold, and not plead any merits of their own; and that he would, in compassion to them, and the lives of others that were in danger, make known this secret of the king’s dream, and the interpretation of it; which could never be found out by the sagacity of men, or by any art they…”

“An illustration of the power of united prayer (Mat 18:19). The same instrumentality rescued Peter from his peril (Act 12:5-12).”

“That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret - That they would implore of God that he would show his mercy to them in revealing this secret, that their lives might be spared. In the margin, as in the Chaldee, this is “from before the God of heaven.” All depended now on God. It was clear that human skill was exhausted, and that no reliance could be placed on any ability which man possessed. The art of the Chaldeans had failed, and Daniel, as well by this failure as by the promptings of his own feelings, must now have perceived that the only hope was in God, and that his favor in the case was to be obtained only by prayer. As his three friends were equally…”

“2:18 Daniel appealed to God’s mercy (see Exod 34:6-7). God was not obligated to answer Daniel’s prayer, but doing so would accord with his character.”

“they would: Dan 3:17; Sa1 17:37; Est 4:15-17; Psa 50:15, Psa 91:15; Pro 3:5, Pro 3:6; Isa 37:4; Jer 33:3; Mat 18:12, Mat 18:19; Act 4:24-31, Act 12:4; Rom 15:30; Ti2 4:17, Ti2 4:18 of the God of heaven: Chal. from before God. Daniel and his fellows should not perish. or, they should not destroy Daniel, etc. Gen 18:28; Mal 3:18; Pe2 2:9 Daniel 2:19”