Daniel 4 · Grade 5
Those Who Walk in Pride
Read and Think
Daniel 4 is unusual: it is told by Nebuchadnezzar himself, as a letter to all the peoples, nations, and languages. It opens and closes with his praise of God. How great are his signs! How mighty are his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. His dominion is from generation to generation.
The king dreamed of a tree in the middle of the earth, so great that the animals of the field had shade under it. A holy watcher commanded that the tree be cut down, but the stump of its roots was to remain, to the intent that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men. Daniel explained that the tree was the king. He spoke with care and courage: break off your sins by righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor.
A year later, the king boasted of great Babylon, built by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty. At once he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen, as the dream had said. At the end of the days, he looked up to heaven, and his understanding returned. He confessed that no one can stop his hand. His last words are, those who walk in pride he is able to abase. In the New Testament, James writes, God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).
Show What You Know
Who tells the story of Daniel 4?
Why was the stump left?
How did Daniel tell the king to break off his iniquities?
What are the king's last words in the chapter?
In the New Testament, what does James say God gives the humble?
Crossword
Across
- His ____ is an everlasting kingdom.
Down
- it had much ____
Think About It
Daniel spoke hard truth to the king with care. How can you tell someone the truth in a loving way?
The king called God's kingdom an everlasting kingdom. How does knowing God rules forever help you stay humble?
Memory Verse
“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven; for all his works are truth, and his ways justice; and those who walk in pride he is able to abase.”
Daniel 4:37 (WEB)
Copy It
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for ruling over all the earth. Help me . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- Daniel was respectful even when he gave bad news. How can you be respectful when you disagree with someone?
- Where do you need to be humble before God?
- What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.