The monarch saw at once the snare that these men had set. It was not zeal for kingly honor but jealousy against Daniel that had led to the royal decree. “Greatly displeased with himself,” he “labored till the going down of the sun” to deliver his friend. The officials came to him with the words, “Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.” The decree must be carried into effect. RR 192.3