A Beastly King

What king was made to live like a wild beast, eating grass and growing long hair and nails? Why did this happen to him and what was the result?

 Answer:  King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon was driven out of his mighty kingdom to live like a beast of the field. The Lord did this to him on account of Nebuchadnezzar’s pride. He was puffed up and full of himself as he boasted with these words in Daniel 4:30, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?” He barely got the words out of his mouth before the Lord pronounced a judgment of humiliation upon him. God humbled Nebuchadnezzar until he would know that God rules in the kingdoms of men and gives those kingdoms to whomever He chooses. Nebuchadnezzar lived like an animal for a time, eating grass and having long hair and long nails like birds’ claws. (Daniel 4:33) After his punishment was over and Nebuchadnezzar was restored to his kingdom once again, he praised and honored God and acknowledged His great might and power in a spirit of humility. We can read about this event in Daniel 4:29-37.