Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.
Then they came near, and spake before the king ... Hast thou not signed a decree? They preface their attack by alleging the king's edict, so as to get him again to confirm it unalterably, before they mention Daniel's name. Not to break a wicked promise is not firmness, but guilty obstinacy: so Herod, though "sorry, nevertheless for his oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, commanded" John's head to be given to Herodias (Matthew 14:9; Mark 6:26).