The Kings And Their Successors
October 7, 2022
Commentary
Chapter 11 is set around the same time as the events of Chapter 6. Daniel made a choice to support and strengthen King Darius the Mede in the first year of his reign (v. 1). This chapter contains detailed prophecy of events that were to take place in Israel for the next three hundred years. The prophecies in this chapter line up with Daniel 2 (Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of an image), Daniel 7 (the four beasts), and Daniel 8 (the Ram (Media & Persia) and the Goat (Greece). Persia would have three more kings (Cambyses, Pseudo-Smerdis, and Darius Hystaspes) (v. 2) followed by a fourth king (Xerxes, also known as Ahasuerus) who would be far richer and far more powerful than his predecessors. Xerxes attacked Greece in 480 B.C. with an enormous army, but they were defeated. This campaign probably happened in-between chapters 1 and 2 of the book of Esther.
A mighty king (Alexander the Great) would conquer Persia (v. 3). At the height of his power, his kingdom would be broken, “divided toward the four winds of heaven and not to his heirs” (v. 4). Alexander’s kingdom was divided between his four leading generals: Cassander ruled Greece-Macedonia, Lysimachus ruled Thrace-Asia Minor, Seleucus ruled the rest of Asia, and Ptolemy ruled Egypt-Palestine. The Seleucids were thus “the kings in the north”, and the Ptolemies were “the kings in the south”. What follows is a brief description of the conflict between Syria and Egypt. Daniel doesn’t give all the details, instead choosing to focus on how it all relates to the people of Israel (vv. 5-9).
Application
God is sovereign over all history. He knows exactly what’s going to happen because he decided it all. I want to be available to do whatever He wants to do with my life as long as I have the strength and mind to do things for Him.
Daniel 11:1– 9 (NET)
1 And in the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood to strengthen him and to provide protection for him.) 2 Now I will tell you the truth.
3 Then a powerful king will arise, exercising great authority and doing as he pleases. 4 Shortly after his rise to power, his kingdom will be broken up and distributed toward the four winds of the sky —but not to his posterity or with the authority he exercised, for his kingdom will be uprooted and distributed to others besides these.
5 “Then the king of the south and one of his subordinates will grow strong. His subordinate will resist him and will rule a kingdom greater than his. 6 After some years have passed, they will form an alliance. Then the daughter of the king of the south will come to the king of the north to make an agreement, but she will not retain her power, nor will he continue in his strength. She, together with the one who brought her, her child, and her benefactor will all be delivered over at that time.
7 “There will arise in his place one from her family line who will come against their army and will enter the stronghold of the king of the north and will move against them successfully. 8 He will also take their gods into captivity to Egypt, along with their cast images and prized utensils of silver and gold. Then he will withdraw for some years from the king of the north. 9 Then the king of the north will advance against the empire of the king of the south, but will withdraw to his own land.