Daniel 3 - 4

King Nebuchadnezzar is not satisfied to have his kingdom described as a "head of gold" and the rest of the statue (seen in his dream) being comprised of inferior metals and components.  He has a statue of himself constructed that is made entirely of gold - signifying his belief that Babylon will always rule the world stage.  Instructions are given for the entire population to gather for the unveiling of the statue and to reverence it at the appropriate time.  All comply, except for Daniel's three friends who are thrown into a furnace designed to destroy them.  God miraculously saves these three Hebrew children and shows the king once again that He is more powerful than any ruler on earth.  The king has another dream that Daniel interprets for him.  The king needed to beware of pride, as it would cripple him.  The king ignored this warning, boasted of his accomplishments and lost his sanity and understanding until such time as he would acknowledge God's supreme and sovereign rule over nations.