The monarch saw at once the snare that had been set. Not zeal for kingly honor but jealousy against Daniel had led to the royal decree. “Sore displeased with himself” he “labored till the going down of the sun” to deliver his friend. The princes came to him with the words, “Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.” The decree must be carried into effect. SS 281.4