Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/376

 feet of  iron  signified  the  great  Roman  empire  which  conquered all the  others. The stone  that  fell  from  the  mountain  typified a new kingdom  that  God  Himself  would  found  on  earth,  and which, from  a small  beginning,  would  gradually  grow  strong  and overcome all  other  kingdoms,  and  would  last  for  ever. The king, hearing the  interpretation,  said  to  Daniel:  “Verily  your  God  is the  God  of  gods,  and  Lord  of  kings,  and  a revealer  of  hidden things.” He  raised  Daniel  to  a high  station and bestowed  on  him  many  gifts.



About this  time  king  Nabuchodonozor made a great  statue  of  gold,  which  he  placed on a pillar  in  the  plain  of  Babylon. All the princes and  nobles  of  his  kingdom  were  invited to assist  at  the  dedication of  this  statue.

Heralds were  sent  out  everywhere  to  announce to all  the  people  that  when  they  heard  the sound of  the  trumpets  and  flutes  and  other instruments of  music,  they  should  fall  down  and adore the  golden  statue. And it  came  to  pass that no  one  disobeyed  this  order  except  Ananias, Azarias  and  Misael.

It was  announced  to  the  king  that  the three young  men  had  refused  to  worship  the golden statue. Then Nabuchodonozor, full of rage,  said  to  them:  “Who  is  the  god  that  shall  deliver  you out of  my  hand?”  They  answered: “Our  God,  whom  we  worship,