Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.
Then Daniel went in - perhaps not in person but by the mediation of some courtier who had access to him. His first direct interview seems to have been Daniel 2:25 (Barnes).
And desired of the king that he would give him time. The king granted "time" to Daniel, though he would not do so to the Chaldeans, because they betrayed their lying purpose by requiring him to tell the dream, which Daniel did not (Daniel 2:8, "I know ... that ye would gain the time"). Providence doubtless influenced his mind, already favourable (Daniel 1:19-20), to show special favour to Daniel.