SCENE III
Daniel appears before the King again. The King asks if he is able to tell what the dream was and to interpret it. Daniel answers that he is able to tell him, not, however, by his own power, but by the power of God in heaven who revealeth secrets. Then Daniel gives in detail the dream and tells King Nebuchadnezzar the meaning thereof. The King is so affected that he falls on his face and worships Daniel. He recognizes the God of Daniel, and commands that Daniel be made governor of Babylon. At Daniel's request he also makes the three other Israelites rulers of certain provinces.
This story may be treated in the same manner as the story of Joseph ([chapter iii]).
8. SHADRACH, MESHACH, AND ABED-NEGO IN THE BURNING FIERY FURNACE
DANIEL, CHAPTER 3
This story may be read to children directly from the Bible. After they have worked it over several times the final product will include three scenes of the following character:
SCENE I
The heralds come through the streets crying aloud that King Nebuchadnezzar commands all people to bow down when they shall hear the musical instruments and worship the image of gold which he has set up. Those who do not obey will be put into a burning fiery furnace. The instruments of music sound and all the people fall to the ground to worship except the three Israelites, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Some of the men notice that the Jews do not obey, and go off immediately to tell the King.
SCENE II
The men come before the King and begin their story by saying, "O King, live forever!" The Bible language may be used directly here in the conversation which follows. The King is very angry at what these men tell him. He orders that the three Jews be brought before him. They are brought in and the King tells them that they will have to be put into the fiery furnace if they do not obey. The Jews are not afraid and reply that their God will take care of them. The King then orders them to be bound and to be taken out to the furnace, which has been heated seven times hotter than usual. Men come running back to the King to tell him that the servants which thrust the Jews into the furnace were burnt up by the heat, but that the Jews were not harmed. Another man runs in and tells the King that a fourth person is in the furnace, and that he resembles the Son of God. Nebuchadnezzar commands that the three men be brought out from the furnace. They come before him, with no mark of the fire on them. The King is so greatly impressed that he makes a decree that no one shall speak against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. He then appoints these three men to positions of greater trust than ever before.