What does Daniel 2:16 mean?

Daniel's courage is evident in this passage. Although Nebuchadnezzar had decreed Daniel's unexpected and unjustified execution, he calmly responded when men arrived to kill him (Daniel 2:12–13). He asked what was happening and was respected enough to be given an answer (Daniel 2:14–15). Here, he sends a message to the king saying he can provide the knowledge the magicians could not. At the time Daniel made this appointment, he had not yet been given any such information from God (Daniel 2:17–19). Yet he had faith that the Lord would provide it (Daniel 1:17).

Truly, God's hand was protecting Daniel because He had plans for him. Nebuchadnezzar correctly accused his conjurers of stalling for time (Daniel 2:8). The fact that Nebuchadnezzar allowed Daniel to request an appointment shows that God had worked in his heart. Under other circumstances, both Daniel and the guard captain who allowed him to make the request might have been killed. Of course, since Daniel was not among those who evaded the king's request, Nebuchadnezzar might have been more willing to give him the chance to answer. Truly, God's will superintends the actions of even powerful rulers (Job 42:1–2; Isaiah 14:26–27).