28 "All this happened to Nebuchadnezzar the king . 29 " Twelve e months later he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon . 30 "The king reflected and said , 'Is this not Babylon the great , which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty ?' 31 "While the word was in the king's mouth , a voice came from heaven , saying, 'King Nebuchadnezzar , to you it is declared : sovereignty has been removed from you, 32 and you will be driven away from mankind , and your dwelling place will be with the beasts of the field . You will be given grass to eat like cattle , and seven periods of time will pass over you until e you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever e He wishes .' 33 "Immediately the word concerning Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled ; and he was driven away from mankind and began eating grass like cattle , and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until e his hair had grown like eagles' feathers and his nails like birds' claws.
34 "But at the end of that period , I, Nebuchadnezzar , raised my eyes toward heaven and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever ; For His dominion is an everlasting dominion , And His kingdom endures from generation to generation . 35 " All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing , But He does according to His will in the host of heaven And among the inhabitants of earth ; And no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, ' What have You done ?' 36 "At that time my reason returned to me. And my majesty and splendor were restored to me for the glory of my kingdom , and my counselors and my nobles began seeking me out; so I was reestablished in my sovereignty , and surpassing greatness was added to me. 37 "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar , praise , exalt and honor the King of heaven , for all His works are true and His ways just , and He is able to humble those who walk in pride ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Daniel 4:28-37
Commentary on Daniel 4:28-37
(Read Daniel 4:28-37)
Pride and self-conceit are sins that beset great men. They are apt to take that glory to themselves which is due to God only. While the proud word was in the king's mouth, the powerful word came from God. His understanding and his memory were gone, and all the powers of the rational soul were broken. How careful we ought to be, not to do any thing which may provoke God to put us out of our senses! God resists the proud. Nebuchadnezzar would be more than a man, but God justly makes him less than a man. We may learn to believe concerning God, that the most high God lives for ever, and that his kingdom is like himself, everlasting, and universal. His power cannot be resisted. When men are brought to honour God, by confession of sin and acknowledging his sovereignty, then, and not till then, they may expect that God will honour them; not only restore them to the dignity they lost by the sin of the first Adam, but add excellent majesty to them, from the righteousness and grace of the Second Adam. Afflictions shall last no longer than till they have done the work for which they were sent. There can be no reasonable doubt that Nebuchadnezzar was a true penitent, and an accepted believer. It is thought that he did not live more than a year after his restoration. Thus the Lord knows how to abase those that walk in pride, but gives grace and consolation to the humble, broken-hearted sinner who calls upon Him.