Daniel 2:24-49

Daniel spoke to Arioch (the man the king had appointed to destroy the wise men) with confidence.  He told him not to destroy the wise men but to allow himself to tell the king the interpretation.  Arioch took Daniel quickly to the King.  When the king asked Daniel if he could interpret the dream, he gave the glory to God, saying that "there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries..."  Daniel gives this info about the dream:

1. You saw a great image whose appearance was frightening
2. Head of gold
3. Chest & arms of silver
4. Middle and thighs of bronze
5. Legs of iron
6. Feet of iron & clay
7. A stone was cut out and it struck the image on its feet and broke them
8.  The rest of the image was then broken in pieces and blew away in the wind.
9.  The stone that had cut down the image became a great mountain and filled the earth.

This was Daniel's interpretation:
1.  God is the one who has given you authority over the land
2.  You (the king) are the head of gold
3.  Another kingdom (currently inferior) will rise after you, and then a 3rd kingdom (bronze) will rule over the earth.
4.  The 4th kingdom (as strong as iron) will crush the other kingdoms.
5.  It will be a divided kingdom (partly iron, partly clay).  They will marry with each other.
6.  A future kingdom will be established that will never be destroyed.

King Nebuchadnezzar commanded an offering and incense be offered to Daniel.  He then testified that Daniel's God is the "God of gods".  The king gave Daniel many gifts and made him ruler over Babylon and head of the wise men.  Daniel was allowed to place Shadrach, Mechach, and Abednego in authority over Babylon and Daniel stayed in the King's Court.