Daniel's Refusal of the King's Reward in Daniel 5
Daniel's Refusal of the King's Reward
Daniel 5:17 records Daniel's response to King Belshazzar's offer of gifts and rewards for interpreting the mysterious handwriting on the wall: "Then Daniel answered before the king, Let your gifts be to yourself, and give your rewards to another; nevertheless I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation" [1].
This passage is part of a larger narrative where Belshazzar, in a state of drunken revelry, desecrates the sacred vessels taken from the Jerusalem temple, prompting a divine message on the wall that none of his wise men can interpret [7]. Daniel, having been recommended by the queen mother, is summoned to interpret the writing.
Daniel's refusal of the king's gifts and rewards is seen by commentators as a demonstration of his integrity and detachment from worldly gain. According to Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Daniel's response is not inconsistent with his later acceptance of the king's honors (Daniel 5:29), as the initial refusal indicates his interpretation is not motivated by desire for reward [2]. Tyndale House notes that Daniel's action parallels other biblical figures who refused payment for their services, such as in Genesis 14:21-24 and 2 Kings 5:15-16 [3].
The gifts and rewards offered by Belshazzar were significant, including being clothed with scarlet, having a golden chain, and being made the third highest ruler in the kingdom [4]. John Gill observes that Daniel's refusal is characterized by "great freedom, boldness, and intrepidity" [4]. Despite Daniel's initial refusal, Belshazzar still honors his promise and rewards Daniel, possibly to maintain his credibility with his nobles and people [6, 8].
The narrative highlights the tension between Daniel's faithfulness to God and the fleeting nature of worldly honors. As Tyndale House comments, the honor bestowed upon Daniel would soon be meaningless, as the kingdom was on the verge of destruction [5]. Daniel's actions demonstrate his commitment to serving God, rather than seeking personal gain or recognition.
Sources
- Daniel “Then Daniel answered before the king, Let your gifts be to yourself, and give your rewards to another; nevertheless I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation. -- Daniel 5:17”
- Daniel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Daniel 5:17: Not inconsistent with Dan 5:29. For here he declares his interpretation of the words is not from the desire of reward. The honors in Dan 5:29 were doubtless urged on him, without his wish, in such a way that he could not with propriety refuse them. Had he refused them after announcing the doom of the kingdom, he might have been suspected of cowardice or treason.”
- Daniel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Daniel 5:17: 5:17 Daniel interpreted the writing but required no pay from the wicked king (cp. Gen 14:21-24; 2 Kgs 5:15-16).”
- Daniel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Daniel 5:17: Then Daniel answered and said before the king,.... With great freedom, boldness, and intrepidity: let thy gifts be to thyself; remain with thee; I neither want them, nor desire them; nor will I receive them on condition of reading and interpreting the writing: and give thy rewards to another; which he had promised to those that could read and interpret the handwriting on the wall; even to be clothed with scarlet, have a golden chain, and be the third ruler in the kingdom. It may be rendered, "or give thy rewards to another" (s); either keep them thyself, or give t”
- Daniel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Daniel 5:29: 5:29 Instead of responding to the message, Belshazzar honored Daniel. • proclaimed the third highest ruler: Daniel did not desire the honor, and in a few hours it would be meaningless. God would reward Daniel in due time (12:13).”
- Daniel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Daniel 5:29: Belshazzar . . . clothed Daniel with scarlet--To come from the presence of a prince in a dress presented to the wearer as a distinction is still held a great honor in the East. Daniel was thus restored to a similar rank to what he had held under Nebuchadnezzar (Dan 2:48). Godly fidelity which might be expected to bring down vengeance, as in this case, is often rewarded even in this life. The king, having promised, was ashamed before his courtiers to break his word. He perhaps also affected to despise the prophecy of his doom, as an idle threat. As to D”
- Daniel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Daniel 5 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO DANIEL 5 This chapter gives an account of a feast made by King Belshazzar, attended with drunkenness, idolatry, and profanation of the vessels taken out of the temple at Jerusalem, Dan 5:1, and of the displeasure of God, signified by a handwriting on the wall, which terrified the king, and caused him to send in haste for the astrologers, &c. to read and interpret it, but they could not, Dan 5:5, in this distress, which appeared in the countenances of him and his nobles, the queen mother advises him to send for Daniel, of whom she gives a ”
- Daniel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Daniel 5:29: Then commanded Belshazzar,.... As soon as he had heard the writing read and interpreted; instead of being full of wrath, as might have been expected, he orders the reward promised to be given, to show he had a regard to his word and honour, as a king; and to secure his credit with his nobles and people; and perhaps he might not understand, by Daniel's interpretation, that the destruction of him and his kingdom was so near at hand as it was; or he might put this evil day far from him, and hope it might be prevented: and they clothed Daniel with scarlet; the king's se”