DANIEL– King Nebuchadnezzar’s Madness

Narrator, King Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel, Angel, Arioch, Herald, God’s voice
Have a cardboard cut-out of a tree – in 2 pieces – the main tree and the stump. Start with them fitted together. Have some pictures of fruit, birds & animals to blu-tack or velcro on. Place appropriate pieces on as you relate the story.

Narrator: King Nebuchadnezzar was amazed at Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego’s God and how great he was. He sent a message out to all nations of the world saying….

Herald: Greetings from King Nebuchadnezzar. Listen to his account of the wonders and miracles which the Supreme God has shown to him…
How great are the wonders God shows us
How wonderful are the miracles he performs
God will be king forever
He will rule for all time.

Narrator: King Nebuchadnezzar was feeling pleased with himself. Everything he did was a great success and he was very happy. But one day…

King Nebuchadnezzar: Arioch. Come here.

Arioch: Yes your majesty.

King Nebuchadnezzar: I have had a frightening and terrifying dream. Order all my advisors and magicians to come to me. I want to tell them my dream.

Narrator: So all the fortune-tellers, magicians and advisors were brought to the king. He told them his dream, but they couldn’t explain it to the king.

King Nebuchadnezzar: Hmmm. What am I to do? I feel this dream has a special meaning for me.

Arioch: Your Majesty. Daniel is here to see you.

King Nebuchadnezzar: Daniel. Yes of course. He is the one I need. You have come for something else – but I have need of you. Daniel, your God explains things to you. I will tell you of a dream I had and then you can explain to me what it means.
I saw a big tree that kept growing and growing until it reached the sky. Everyone in the world could see it and enjoy its good fruit – wild animals sat in its shade – birds built nests in its branches.
Then suddenly an angel flew down.

Angel: Cut down the tree. Chop off its branches. Strip its leaves and scatter its fruit.

King Nebuchadnezzar: And so the angel left only the stump of the tree behind. Then the angel changed into a man.

Angel: This man will live in the open like an animal. His mind will become like and animals too. He will live outside amongst the plants and animals. This will be done so all people everywhere will know that the Supreme God has power over all kingdoms and will give them to anyone he chooses.

King Nebuchadnezzar: And that was my dream Daniel. Now tell me what it means.

Narrator; But Daniel was so upset he couldn’t say anything.

King Nebuchadnezzar: Don’t be worried Daniel. You must tell me what it is about.

Daniel: Your Majesty. How I wish the dream was not meant for you – but it is. You are that tree, Sire- Strong and tall, giving food and protection to all people. But you have grown so great that one day you will forget that God is above all, so He will take away your power. You will become mad. You will be driven away from humans and become like a wild animal. For 7 years you will be like this – until you turn back to God. Then He will restore you to your throne again. Please be warned your majesty and stop sinning, do what is right and look after the poor. Then this disaster won’t happen.

Narrator: But King Nebuchadnezzar forgot Daniels warning. One year later the king was walking on the roof of his palace looking down on the magnificent city of Babylon.

King Nebuchadnezzar: What a wonderful city I have built. This is all my own work. It shows how great and powerful I am, and displays my own glory and majesty.

God’s Voice: King Nebuchadnezzar! Listen to what I say. Your royal power is now taken from you. You will eat grass like a cow and live with wild animals fro 7 years, until you acknowledge that I am the Supreme God and have all power.

Narrator: Suddenly, God’s words came true. A type of madness came upon
King Nebuchadnezzar. His officials were terrified and didn’t know what to do – but Daniel did. King Nebuchadnezzar was taken out to some park area and he lived there for 7 years. His hair grew long and so did his nails – they became like claws. And he ate grass like the cows. Probably Daniel helped look after him – and probably Daniel ruled his kingdom for him for those 7 years.
Then one day the King’s senses came back…

King Nebuchadnezzar: God. The Supreme and only God. I give you glory and honour. You are the only one who lives forever. Thank-you for giving me back my understanding. I praise, honour and glorify you, the king of heaven.

Narrator: And so, the king came back inside the palace. His madness had gone. He realised that he was not all-powerful – only God was. And he became an even better king than before.

Lesson: God has ALL power. We should give our worship to God only.