This chapter tells the story of Nebuchadnezzar building an enormous gold statue 27 metres high and 2.7 metres wide. He then summoned all the authorities to its inauguration and dedication and a herald announced that whenever people heard the sound of music from horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and pipes they must bow and worship the image. However 3 faithful Jews: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, refused to comply and were threatened with being thrown into a fiery furnace as punishment. They reacted that the Lord was able to rescue them from the furnace and that even if he didn't they would never bow before the idols. Infuriated Nebuchadnezzar had the fire made 7 times hotter than normal and tied up the men throwing them into the fire. However in a later inspection the king saw the men walking freely in the fire accompanied by a 4th man looking "like a son of the gods"! They eventually emerged from the fire untouched and not even smelling of smoke. So Nebuchadnezzar said: "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants". He then forbid persecution of the Lord and promoted the 3 men.
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