2 "And now I will tell you the truth . Behold , three more kings are going to arise in Persia . Then a fourth will gain far more riches than all of them; as soon as he becomes strong through his riches , he will arouse the whole empire against the realm of Greece . 3 "And a mighty king will arise , and he will rule with great authority and do as he pleases . 4 "But as soon as he has arisen , his kingdom will be broken up and parceled out toward the four points of the compass , though not to his own descendants , nor according to his authority which he wielded , for his sovereignty will be uprooted and given to others besides e them.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Daniel 11:2-4
Commentary on Daniel 11:1-30
(Read Daniel 11:1-30)
The angel shows Daniel the succession of the Persian and Grecian empires. The kings of Egypt and Syria are noticed: Judea was between their dominions, and affected by their contests. From verse 21, to relate to Antiochus Epiphanes, who was a cruel and violent persecutor of the Jews. See what decaying, perishing things worldly pomp and possessions are, and the power by which they are gotten. God, in his providence, sets up one, and pulls down another, as he pleases. This world is full of wars and fightings, which come from men's lusts. All changes and revolutions of states and kingdoms, and every event, are plainly and perfectly foreseen by God. No word of God shall fall to the ground; but what he has designed, what he has declared, shall infallibly come to pass. While the potsherds of the earth strive with each other, they prevail and are prevailed against, deceive and are deceived; but those who know God will trust in him, and he will enable them to stand their ground, bear their cross, and maintain their conflict.