‘Then Daniel returned answer, with wisdom (counsel) and prudence, to Arioch, the captain of the king's guard, who had gone out to slay the wise men of Babylon.'
Fortunately for the wise men it seems that only limited forces had been sent out to carry out the sentence, made up of Arioch, captain of the king's own guard, and a few chosen men. Thus the matter was proceeding slowly. And when Arioch came with his men to where Daniel and his companions were, and read out the decree, Daniel approached him with wisdom and prudence, seeking to delay him.