Bible Commentaries
Daniel 4

Verses 1-37

The last story connected with the reign of Nebuchadnezzar consisted of the king's own manifesto, setting forth the dealings of the Most High God with him.

The opening ascription of praise is most remarkable when it is remembered that it expressed the conviction of so mighty a monarch as Nebuchadnezzar. The story of the dream which troubled him follows. It came to him in the midst of prosperity and ease in his palace. His magicians were unable to give him an interpretation, and Daniel was brought before him. To him he minutely described his vision.

The fact that the king recalled that his dream was symbolic is evidenced by the change to the use of the masculine pronoun, and the declaration that his heart was to be changed from man's and become like a beast's.

Daniel was "astonished," evidently because he immediately saw the application of the dream to the king, and commenced his interpretation with the courteous address, expressive of his sense of the calamity about to fall on the king. Nevertheless, in loyalty to truth he interpreted its meaning to the king.

He then appealed to Nebuchadnezzar to turn from sin and show mercy to the poor in order that his tranquility might be lengthened.

A year later the dream was fulfilled. Nebuchadnezzar did not obey the appeal of Daniel, and while he was boasting that he had built the great city, Babylon, by his own power and for his own glory a voice came from heaven to tell him that the kingdom was departed from him, and that all that Daniel had foretold would be fulfilled. He was immediately stricken with madness and driven out from among men to dwell and eat with the beasts of the field.

Finally, his reason returning, Nebuchadnezzar recognized the God of heaven and was restored to his kingdom, praising the King of Heaven whose works are true and whose ways are judgment.