King Nebuchadnezzar

King Nebuchadnezzar ruled Babylon during the captivity of Daniel and other young men from Judah. Powerful and quick tempered, he ordered his wise men executed when they could not reveal and explain a dream he had forgotten. Daniel's God answered prayer, giving Daniel both the dream and its meaning, and the grateful king promoted him. Nebuchadnezzar's humility did not last. He built a ninety foot golden statue and commanded everyone to worship it, condemning Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to a blazing furnace when they refused. Astonished to see four figures walking unharmed in the flames, the king called the three men out and blessed their God. His story shows authority repeatedly confronted by a power greater than his own.