(KJV) Daniel 111

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Kings of the South and North

[1] Also I in the2 first year of Darius the Mede, [even] I, stood to confirm3 and to strengthen him. [2] And now will I4 shew thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three5 kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far6 richer than [they] all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir7 up all against the realm of Grecia. [3] And a mighty8 king shall stand up, that shall rule with great do9minion, and do according to his will. [4] And when he shall stand10 up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be11 divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked12 up, even for others beside those.

[5] And the king13 of the south shall be strong, and [one14] of his princes; and he shall15 be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion [shall be] a great dominion. [6] And in the end16 of years they shall join themselves17 together; for the king18’s19 daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement20: but she shall not retain21 the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be22 given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her23, and he that strengthened24 her in [these] times. [7] But out of25 a branch of her roots shall [one] stand26 up in his estate27, which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail28: [8] And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods29, with their princes, [and] with their precious vessels30 of silver and of gold; and he shall continue31 [more] years than the king of the north. [9] So the king of the south shall come into [his] kingdom, and shall return into his own land. [10] But his sons32 shall be stirred up33, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and [one] shall certainly come, and overflow34, and pass through: then shall he return, and be stirred up35, [even] to his36 fortress. [11] And the king of the south37 shall be moved38 with choler, and shall come forth and fight with him, [even] with the king of the north: and he shall set forth a great multitude; but the multitude39 shall be given into his hand. [12] [And] when he hath taken away the multitude, his heart40 shall be lifted up; and he shall cast down [many] ten thousands: but he shall not be strengthened [by it]. [13] For the king41 of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years42 with a great army and with much riches. [14] And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people43 shall exalt44 themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall. [15] So the king of the north shall come, and cast up45 a mount, and take the most fenced cities46: and the arms of the south shall not47 withstand, neither his chosen people48, neither [shall there be any] strength to withstand. [16] But he that cometh against him shall do49 according to his own will, and none shall stand before him: and he shall stand in the glorious land50, which by his hand shall be consumed. [17] He shall also51 set52 his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones53 with him; thus shall he do: and he shall give him the daughter of women, corrupting her: but she shall not stand [on his side], neither be for him. [18] After this shall he turn54 his face unto the isles55, and shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf56 shall cause the reproach57 offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause58 [it] to turn upon him. [19] Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but59 he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.6061626364 [20] Then shall stand up in his estate65 a raiser of taxes [in] the66 glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger67, nor in battle. [21] And in his estate68 shall stand69 up a vile person70, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries71. [22] And with72 the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also73 the prince of the covenant. [23] And after the league [made] with him he shall work74 deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people. [24] He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest75 places of the province; and he shall do [that] which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers’ fathers; he shall scatter76 among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: [yea], and he shall forecast his devices77 against the strong holds, even for a time. [25] And he shall stir up78 his power and his courage against the king of the south with79 a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him. [26] Yea, they that feed80 of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow81: and many shall fall down slain. [27] And both these kings’ hearts82 [shall be] to83 do mischief, and they shall speak lies84 at one table; but85 it shall not prosper: for yet86 the end [shall be] at the time appointed. [28] Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart [shall be] against the holy87 covenant; and he shall do [exploits], and return to his own land. [29] At the time88 appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former89, or as the latter.

[30] [¶]For the ships90 of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation91 against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence92 with them that forsake the holy covenant. [31] And arms93 shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute94 the sanctuary of strength, and shall take95 away the daily [sacrifice], and they shall place the abomination96 that maketh desolate97. [32] And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt98 by flatteries: but the people99 that do know their God shall be100101 strong, and do [exploits]. [33] And they that understand102 among the people shall instruct many: yet103 they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, [many] days. [34] Now when they shall fall, they shall be104 holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave105 to them with flatteries. [35] And [some106] of them of understanding shall fall, to try107 them108, and to purge, and to make [them] white, [even109] to the time of the end: because [it is] yet for a time appointed.

The King Who Exalts Himself

[36] And the king shall do110 according to his will; and he111 shall exalt112 himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak113 marvellous things against the God114 of gods, and shall prosper till115 the indignation be accomplished: for116 that that is determined shall be done. [37] Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire117 of women, nor regard118 any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. [38] But in his estate119 shall he honour the God of forces120: and a god121 whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things122. [39] Thus shall he do in the most strong holds123 with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge [and] increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain124. [40] And at the125 time of the end shall the king of the south126 push at him: and the king of the north127 shall come against him like128 a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen129, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow130 and pass over. [41] He shall enter131 also into the glorious land132, and many [countries] shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, [even133] Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. [42] He shall stretch forth134 his hand135 also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. [43] But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans136 and the Ethiopians [shall be] at his137 steps. [44] But tidings out of the east138 and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many. [45] And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between139 the seas in the140 glorious holy mountain141; yet he shall come142 to his end, and none shall help him.

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  1. Dan 11:1, The overthrow of Persia by the king of Grecia; Dan 11:5, Leagues and conflicts between the kings of the south and of the north; Dan 11:30, The invasion and tyranny of the Romans. 

  2. Dan 5:31, Dan 9:1 

  3. Dan 10:18; Acts 14:22 

  4. Dan 8:26, Dan 10:1, Dan 10:21; Prov 22:21; Amos 3:7; John 10:35, John 18:37-38; Rev 21:5 

  5. These were, Cambyses, son of Cyrus; Smerdis the Magian imposter; and Darius Hystaspes. Ezra 4:5-6 

  6. Ps 73:6-7 

  7. Herodotus says the army of Xerxes consisted of 5,283,220 men, besides the Carthaginians, consisting of 300,000 men, and 200 ships. Dan 11:25, Dan 7:5, Dan 8:4 

  8. Alexander the Great, whose kingdom after his death, as we have seen, was divided into four parts. Dan 7:6, Dan 8:5-8, Dan 8:21 

  9. Dan 11:16, Dan 11:36, Dan 4:35, Dan 5:19, Dan 8:4-14; Eph 1:11; Heb 2:4; Jas 1:18 

  10. Job 20:5-7; Ps 37:35-36, Ps 49:6-12, Ps 73:17-20; Luke 12:20 

  11. Dan 7:6, Dan 8:8, Dan 8:22; Ps 39:6; Eccl 2:18-19, Eccl 4:8; Matt 12:25 

  12. Dan 7:8; Jer 12:15, Jer 12:17, Jer 18:7, Jer 31:40, Jer 45:4 

  13. Ptolemy Lagus, king of Egypt, Cyrene, etc. Dan 11:8-9, Dan 11:11, Dan 11:14, Dan 11:25, Dan 11:40 

  14. Dan 11:3-4 

  15. Seleucus Nicator, who had Syria, etc., to which he added Macedonia and Thrace. 

  16. Dan 11:13; Ezek 38:8-9 

  17. Heb. associate themselves 

  18. After many wars between Ptolemy Philadelphus, king of Egypt, and Antiochus Theos, king of Syria, they agreed to make peace, on condition that the latter should put away his wife Laodice, and her sons, and marry Berenice, Ptolemy's daughter. 

  19. Dan 11:7, Dan 11:13, Dan 11:15, Dan 11:40 

  20. Heb. rights 

  21. Job 38:15; Ps 10:5; Ezek 30:21; Zech 11:16 

  22. Antiochus recalled Laodice, who, fearing another change, caused him to be poisoned, and Berenice and her son to be murdered, and set her son Callinicus on the throne. 

  23. or, whom she brought forth 

  24. Her father Ptolemy, who died a few years before. 

  25. Job 14:7; Isa 9:14, Isa 11:1; Jer 12:2; Mal 4:1 

  26. Ptolemy Euergetes, who, to avenge his sister's death, marched with a great army against Callinicus, took all Asia from mount Taurus to India, and returned to Egypt with an immense booty. Dan 11:20; Ps 49:10-13, Ps 109:8; Luke 12:20 

  27. or, in his place, or office, Dan 11:20 

  28. Ps 55:23; Ezek 17:18 

  29. Gen 31:30; Exod 12:12; Num 33:4; Deut 12:3; Judg 18:24; Isa 37:19, Isa 46:1-2; Jer 43:12-13, Jer 46:25; Hos 8:6, Hos 10:5-6 

  30. Heb. vessels of their desire, Dan 1:2-3, Dan 10:3; Isa 2:16; Hos 13:15 

  31. Callinicus died an exile, and Euergetes survived him four or five years. 

  32. Seleucus Ceraunus and Antiochus the Great, sons of Callinicus. But the former being poisoned, the latter was proclaimed king, retook Seleucia and Syria, and then, after a truce, returned and overcame the Egyptian forces. 

  33. or, war 

  34. Dan 11:22, Dan 11:40, Dan 9:26; Isa 8:7-8; Jer 46:7-8, Jer 51:42 

  35. or, then shall he be stirred up again 

  36. Dan 11:7, Dan 11:39; Isa 25:12 

  37. Dan 11:5, Dan 11:9 

  38. Dan 11:44, Dan 8:7; Ps 76:10 

  39. Dan 11:10, Dan 2:38; 1Kgs 20:13, 1Kgs 20:28; Ps 33:16-17; Eccl 9:11-12; Jer 27:6 

  40. Dan 5:19-20, Dan 5:23, Dan 8:25; Deut 8:14; 2Kgs 14:10; 2Chr 25:19, 2Chr 26:16, 2Chr 32:25; Prov 16:18; Isa 10:7-12; Ezek 28:2, Ezek 28:5, Ezek 28:17; Hab 2:4-6; Acts 12:22-23; 1Tim 3:6; 1Pet 5:5 

  41. Dan 11:6-7 

  42. Heb. at the end of times, even years, Dan 4:16, Dan 12:7 

  43. Heb. children of robbers 

  44. Acts 4:25-28; Rev 17:17 

  45. Jer 5:10, Jer 6:6, Jer 33:4, Jer 52:4; Ezek 17:17 

  46. Heb. city of munitions, After fourteen years, Ptolemy Philopater having been succeeded by Ptolemy Epiphanes, then a minor, Antiochus raised a greater army than before, and having defeated his best troops under Scopas, recovered possession of Caelo-Syria and Palestine, with all their fortified cities. 

  47. Dan 11:6, Dan 8:7; Josh 1:5; Prov 21:30-31 

  48. Heb. the people of his choices 

  49. Dan 11:3, Dan 11:36, Dan 8:4, Dan 8:7 

  50. or, goodly land, Dan 11:41, Dan 11:45, Dan 8:9; Isa 8:8, Heb. land of ornament, Jer 3:19 *marg. 

  51. Being assisted by the Jews, he purposed to subdue Egypt; but, entering into treaty with Ptolemy, he gave him his daughter Cleopatra in marriage, thinking to engage her to betray the interests of her husband; but in which he was deceived 

  52. Dan 11:19; 2Kgs 12:17; 2Chr 20:3; Prov 19:21; Ezek 4:3, Ezek 4:7, Ezek 25:2; Luke 9:51 

  53. or, much uprightness, or, equal conditions, corrupting. Heb. to corrupt. neither. Dan 9:26; Ps 56:9; Ezek 17:17; Matt 12:30; Luke 11:23; Rom 8:31 

  54. He subdued most of the maritime places and isles of the Mediterranean; but, being driven from Europe by the Roman consuls, he took refuge in Antioch; and, in order to raise the tribute they impressed upon him, he attempted to rob the temple of Elymais, and was there slain. 

  55. Gen 10:4-5; Jer 2:10, Jer 31:10; Ezek 27:6; Zeph 2:11 

  56. Heb. for him 

  57. Heb. his reproach. 

  58. Judg 1:7; Hos 12:14; Matt 7:2 

  59. From the preceding verses in this chapter let us learn: 

    1. That God, in his providence, sets up one and pulls down another, as he pleases.

    1. That this world is full of wars and fightings, which result from the indulgence of the lusts of men.

    1. That all the changes and revolutions of states were plainly and perfectly foreseen by the God of heaven.

    1. That no word of God can fall to the ground, but what he has declared shall infallibly come to pass.

  60. For the elucidation of the historical parts of Scripture, it is advantageous to notice the writings of heathen authors. Light is thus thrown on many passages of Holy Writ, by shewing the accomplishment of the prophecies therein contained, or customs elucidated, which, in the course of years, or in our more northern latitude, would be to us inexplicable. We have therefore reason to bless God for human learning, by which many have done great service to the readers of His blessed word. Job 20:8; Ps 27:2, Ps 37:36; Jer 46:6; Ezek 26:21 

  61. or, place, Dan 11:7, Dan 11:21 *marg. 

  62. Heb. one that causeth an exactor to pass over the, etc. Seleucus Philopater, who levied on his subjects the tribute imposed on his father, and was poisoned by his treasurer Heliodorus. Deut 15:2-3; 2Kgs 23:35 

  63. Heb. angers, Prov 30:33 

  64. or, place, Dan 11:7, Dan 11:20 

  65. Dan 7:8, Dan 8:9, Dan 8:23, Dan 8:25 

  66. Antiochus Epiphanes, called also Epimanes or madman, for his despicable conduct. 1Sam 3:13; Ps 12:8, Ps 15:4; Isa 32:5; Nah 1:14 

  67. Dan 11:32, Dan 11:34; Judg 9:1-20; 2Sam 15:2-6; Ps 55:21 

  68. Dan 11:10, Dan 9:26; Isa 8:7-8; Amos 8:8, Amos 9:5; Nah 1:8; Rev 12:15-16 

  69. Dan 8:10-11, Dan 8:25 

  70. Dan 8:25; Gen 34:13; Ps 52:2; Prov 11:18; Ezek 17:13-19; Rom 1:29; 2Cor 11:3; 2Thess 2:9 

  71. or, into the peaceable and fat, etc 

  72. Judg 9:4; Prov 17:8, Prov 19:6 

  73. Heb. think his thoughts, Dan 7:25; Prov 23:7; Ezek 38:10; Matt 9:4 

  74. Dan 11:2, Dan 11:10; Prov 15:18, Prov 28:25 

  75. Antiochus defeated the army of Ptolemy Philometor, and in the next campaign made himself master of all Egypt, except Alexandria. While they had frequent conferences at the same table, they spoke lies to each other; and the former returned to Syria laden with riches. 

  76. 2Sam 4:2-12; 2Kgs 8:14, 2Kgs 10:6-9; Ps 41:9; Mic 7:5-6; Matt 26:23; Mark 14:20; John 13:18 

  77. Dan 11:10, Dan 11:22 

  78. Heb. their hearts 

  79. 2Sam 13:26; Ps 12:2, Ps 52:1, Ps 58:2, Ps 64:6; Prov 12:20, Prov 23:6-8, Prov 26:23 

  80. Ps 62:9; Jer 9:3-5, Jer 41:1-3 

  81. Prov 19:21; Ezek 17:9 

  82. Dan 11:29, Dan 11:35, Dan 11:40, Dan 8:19, Dan 10:1; Hab 2:3; Acts 1:7, Acts 17:31; 1Thess 5:1 

  83. The Jews having rejoiced at a report of his death, he took Jerusalem, and slew 40,000 of the inhabitants, and polluted the temple. Dan 11:22, Dan 11:30-32, Dan 8:24; Acts 3:25 

  84. Dan 8:19, Dan 10:1; Isa 14:31; Acts 17:26; Gal 4:2 

  85. Dan 11:23, Dan 11:25 

  86. He was compelled to retire from Egypt by Roman ambassadors. Gen 10:4; Num 24:24; 1Chr 1:7; Isa 23:1, Isa 23:12; Jer 2:10; Ezek 27:6 

  87. Dan 11:28, Dan 7:25; Rev 12:12 

  88. Neh 6:12; Matt 24:10 

  89. Dan 8:24; Rev 17:12 

  90. Dan 8:11, Dan 12:11; Lam 1:10, Lam 2:7; Ezek 7:20-21, Ezek 9:7, Ezek 24:21-22 

  91. Dan 8:12-13, Dan 8:26, Dan 9:27 

  92. Dan 8:13, Dan 9:27, Dan 12:11; Matt 24:15; Mark 13:14; Luke 21:20 

  93. or, astonisheth, Acts 13:40-41 

  94. or, cause to dissemble, 2Thess 2:9-12; Rev 13:12-15 

  95. 1Chr 28:9; Ps 9:10; Jer 31:34; John 17:3; 2Cor 4:3-6; 1John 2:3-4, 1John 5:20 

  96. Prov 19:5, Prov 26:28 

  97. Mic 5:7-9, Mic 7:15-17; Zech 9:13-16, Zech 10:3-6, Zech 10:12, Zech 12:3-7, Zech 14:1-4; Mal 4:2; 2Tim 2:1-3; Heb 10:32-33; Rev 6:11, Rev 7:9-10, Rev 12:7-11 

  98. Dan 12:3-4, Dan 12:10; Isa 32:3-4; Zech 8:20-23; Mal 2:7; Matt 13:11, Matt 13:51-52, Matt 28:20; Luke 24:44-47; Acts 4:2-4, Acts 11:26, Acts 14:21; 2Tim 2:24-25 

  99. Matt 10:21, Matt 20:23, Matt 24:9; John 16:2; Acts 12:2-3; 1Cor 4:9; 2Tim 1:12, 2Tim 4:6; Heb 11:34; Rev 1:9, Rev 2:13, Rev 6:9, Rev 7:14, Rev 13:7-10, Rev 17:6 

  100. Rev 12:2-6, Rev 12:13-17, Rev 13:1-4 

  101. Matt 7:15; Acts 20:29-30; Rom 16:18; 2Cor 11:13-15; Gal 2:4; 1Tim 4:1-2; 2Tim 3:1-7, 2Tim 4:3; Titus 1:11; 2Pet 2:1-3, 2Pet 2:18-19; 1John 2:18-19, 1John 4:1, 1John 4:5; 2John 1:7; Jude 1:4; Rev 2:20, Rev 13:11-14 

  102. Dan 11:33, Dan 8:10; Matt 16:17, Matt 26:56, Matt 26:69-75; John 20:25; Acts 13:13, Acts 15:37-39 

  103. Dan 12:10; Deut 8:2-3, Deut 8:16; 2Chr 32:31; Prov 17:3; Zech 13:9; Mal 3:2-4, Mal 4:1-3; Jas 1:2; 1Pet 1:6-7; Rev 2:10 

  104. or, by them 

  105. Dan 11:29, Dan 11:40, Dan 8:17, Dan 8:19, Dan 9:27, Dan 10:1, Dan 12:4, Dan 12:11; Hab 2:3; Rev 14:15, Rev 17:17 

  106. Dan 11:16, Dan 8:4; John 5:30, John 6:38 

  107. The preceding verses (from Dan 11:31) relate to the Romans, who not only destroyed the city and temple of Jerusalem, and crucified the Messiah, but during almost 300 years sought by every means to extirpate Christianity. The conversion of Constantine, though it stopped the rage of persecution, gave but little help to true religion. The power first exercised by the emperors, in calling and influencing ecclesiastical councils, gradually passed into the hands of the clergy; and the bishop and church of Rome at last carried it to an enormous length, magnifying themselves above every god. 

  108. Dan 7:8, Dan 7:20, Dan 7:25; Isa 14:13; 2Thess 2:4; Rev 13:5, Rev 17:3 

  109. Dan 8:11, Dan 8:24-25 

  110. Dan 2:47; Deut 10:17; Josh 22:22; Ps 136:2 

  111. Dan 7:20-25, Dan 8:19, Dan 12:7, Dan 12:11-13; Rev 11:2-3, Rev 12:14, Rev 13:5 

  112. Dan 4:35, Dan 9:26; Job 23:13-14; Ps 33:10; Prov 19:21; Isa 46:10; Acts 4:28; Rev 10:7, Rev 17:17 

  113. Gen 3:16; Deut 5:21, Deut 21:11; Song 7:10; Ezek 24:16; 1Tim 4:3 

  114. Gen 3:5; Isa 14:13; 2Thess 2:4 

  115. or, But in his stead, Heb. But as for the almighty God, in his seat shall be honour, yea, he shall honour a god whom, etc. 1Tim 4:1 

  116. or, munitions, Heb. Mauzzim or, gods protectors, Saints and angels, who were invoked as intercessors and protectors, had miracles ascribed to them, their relics worshipped, and their shrines and images adorned with costly offerings. 

  117. Rev 13:12-17, Rev 17:1-5, Rev 18:12 

  118. Heb. things desired, Isa 44:9 

  119. Heb. fortresses of munitions 

  120. Heb. a price. Rev 18:9-13 

  121. Dan 11:35, Dan 8:17, Dan 12:4 

  122. The Saracens, Dan 11:5-6; Ezek 38:14-18 

  123. The Turks 

  124. Isa 5:28, Isa 21:1, Isa 66:15; Jer 4:13; Zech 9:14 

  125. Ezek 38:4, Ezek 38:15; Rev 9:16, Rev 16:12 

  126. Dan 11:10, Dan 11:22 

  127. Dan 11:45; Ezek 38:8-13 

  128. or, goodly land, Dan 11:16, Heb. land of delight, or, ornament 

  129. Isa 11:13-15; Jer 9:26, Jer 48:47, Jer 49:6 

  130. Heb. send forth 

  131. Ezek 29:14; Zech 10:10-11, Zech 14:17; Rev 11:8 

  132. Jer 46:9-10; Ezek 38:5 

  133. Exod 11:8; Judg 4:10 

  134. Dan 11:11, Dan 11:30; Ezek 38:9-12; Rev 16:12, Rev 17:13, Rev 19:19-21 

  135. Joel 2:20; Zech 14:8 

  136. Dan 11:16, Dan 11:41; Ps 48:2; Isa 2:2, Isa 14:13; Mic 4:2; 2Thess 2:4 

  137. or, goodly, Heb. mountain of delight of holiness 

  138. Dan 2:35, Dan 7:26, Dan 8:25; Ezek 38:22-23, Ezek 39:2; 2Thess 2:8; Rev 13:10, Rev 14:14-20; Rev 19:19-21, Rev 20:2, Rev 20:9