What did Nebuchadnezzar command his magicians to tell him in Daniel chapter 2?
Nebuchadnezzar commanded his magicians to come in and tell him what his dream was, not merely its interpretation. After his troubling nightmare, he ordered them to recover and recount the dream itself, then interpret it. When they could not, the king became furious and decreed that all Babylon's wise men be destroyed.
Les explains that Nebuchadnezzar was shaken by a tremendous dream, likely a nightmare, and was belligerent and antagonistic toward his magicians. He issued a command for all the magicians to come and tell him not only the interpretation of the dream but also what the dream itself had been. This was an extraordinary demand, since ancient Oriental kings were ruthless; if someone could not fulfill what they were asked, they could be put to death. The king was angry and very furious because the magicians could not recover his dream, and he commanded all the wise men of Babylon to be destroyed. The decree went forth that the wise men should be slain, and Daniel and his fellows were sought as well.