23 "After an alliance is made with him he will practice deception , and he will go up and gain power with a small force of people . 24 "In a time of tranquility he will enter the richest parts of the realm , and he will accomplish what his fathers never did , nor his ancestors ; he will distribute plunder , booty and possessions among them, and he will devise his schemes against strongholds , but only for a time . 25 "He will stir up his strength and courage against the king of the South with a large army ; so the king of the South will mobilize an extremely e large and mighty army for war ; but he will not stand , for schemes will be devised against him. 26 "Those who eat his choice food will destroy him, and his army will overflow , but many will fall down slain . 27 "As for both kings , their hearts will be intent on evil , and they will speak lies to each other at the same table ; but it will not succeed , for the end is still to come at the appointed time . 28 "Then he will return to his land with much plunder ; but his heart will be set against the holy covenant , and he will take action and then return to his own land . 29 "At the appointed time he will return and come into the South , but this last time it will not turn out the way it did before . 30 "For ships of Kittim will come against him; therefore he will be disheartened and will return and become enraged at the holy covenant and take action ; so he will come back and show regard for those who forsake the holy covenant . 31 "Forces from him will arise , desecrate the sanctuary fortress , and do away with the regular sacrifice . And they will set up the abomination of desolation .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Daniel 11:23-31
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.
Commentary on Daniel 11:31-45
(Read Daniel 11:31-45)
The remainder of this prophecy is very difficult, and commentators differ much respecting it. From Antiochus the account seems to pass to antichrist. Reference seems to be made to the Roman empire, the fourth monarchy, in its pagan, early Christian, and papal states. The end of the Lord's anger against his people approaches, as well as the end of his patience towards his enemies. If we would escape the ruin of the infidel, the idolater, the superstitious and cruel persecutor, as well as that of the profane, let us make the oracles of God our standard of truth and of duty, the foundation of our hope, and the light of our paths through this dark world, to the glorious inheritance above.