דניאל, פרק ד׳, פסוק כ״ו

A tense year of waiting comes to a close, and the deep fear that gripped King Nebuchadnezzar following his threatening dream slowly gives way to a renewed sense of security and pride. The primary approach among commentators is that during these twelve months, the king actually listened to Daniel's advice. He humbled himself before God, dedicated himself to giving charity, and provided for the poor. Because of these actions, he was temporarily spared from the punishment hanging over his head. Throughout this entire period, he lived in constant anxiety, locking himself inside his home and refusing to step outside [מלבי״ם, יוסף אבן יחיא, אלשיך].

However, as a full year passed without any disaster, a deep shift occurred in the king's thinking. He reasoned that if a heavenly decree had truly been issued against him, it would have taken effect within the year, or at least caused his kingdom to slowly weaken. Seeing that twelve months had passed and his empire remained just as stable, whole, and powerful as before, he mistakenly concluded that the danger had completely passed and the decree was canceled [מלבי״ם, אלשיך].

Filled with relief and joy at surviving the year of danger, Nebuchadnezzar finally stepped out at the end of the twelve months to walk on the roof of his royal palace [רש״י, מצודת דוד]. This was a return to his normal routine [ביאור שטיינזלץ], an act he had entirely avoided for a full year [מלבי״ם]. The breathtaking sight of his magnificent palace and the great city of Babylon reignited a spirit of immense pride within him [יוסף אבן יחיא].

Adding another layer to the events of that day, some explain that while strolling on the palace roof, the king heard a loud commotion rising from the city. He discovered that the very poor people he had supported all year were violently fighting over the food rations he had provided. Filled with anger, he decided to stop the charity altogether. Consumed by blind pride over his own power and the grand construction of Babylon, he cast Daniel's advice aside, causing the heavenly punishment to strike him immediately [אלשיך].