v1: From 10.21, the Lord takes His stand to support Darius the Mede, who is the God-appointed ruler. Daniel is told more about future rulers in the region.

This chapter has triggered much debate; some speak of it as a historical narrative, written after the events it describes.  Can not our God, who knows all things, provide detailed predictions about future events that will impact His own people?

v2: The fourth king, Xerxes, initiated war against Greece. He raised a vast army, but was defeated. Whilst Xerxes perhaps was the most powerful of the Persian kings, his reign marked the end of the Persian empire.

v3: The mighty king, Alexander the Great, a tyrannical ruler, who did according to his own will. 8.5-8 describes his successful campaign against Persia.

v4: Alexander became powerful, but only reigned for 12 years (1 Macc1.1-9). At his death his kingdom was divided amongst four of his servants, but none had his power.

Two of the sections of his empire, Syria and Egypt, are the subject of the next section.

v5-6: King of the South, Ptolemy Lagus of Egypt; King of the North, Seleucius Nicanor of Syria. Doubtless their military campaigns affected Judah and Israel, because Egypt and Syria lay on opposite sides of the land.

v7-20: The details of the wars between them, as victory ebbs and flows between them, are all at the command of God.

v8 refers to the invasion of Syria by Ptolemy III, who carried off 2500 idols, and 40,000 talents of silver, in striking fulfilment of this prophecy

v14 refers to violent men of "your own people" who become embroiled in events between Egypt and Syria. The King of Syria is the "invader," establishing himself in the land of Judah, v16.

v20 refers Seleucus IV, king of Syria, who sought to raise taxes to clear his debt owed to Rome.; and to Heliodorus, his successor, who was tricked and defeated by Antiochus Epiphanes.

v21-24: The reign of Antiochus Epiphanes, the contemptible person, the little horn (8.9; 1 Macc 1.10). It was by intrigue and flattery that he gained the kingdom, claiming to reign in the stead of Demetrius, his brother's son, who was actually a hostage in Rome, and then overthrowing Heliodorus.

[The notes refer to the book of the Maccabees, found in the Apocrypha. This is essentially a historical book. The Jewish Encyclopaedia describes it as one of the best sources of Jewish history. It provides an indication of the detailed accuracy of the prophecies in Daniel. ]

Antiochus was a deceitful person, lacking integrity. His maxim was that a leader should only be bound by his word as long as it is in his interest. He actually secured the support of some Israelites, called transgressors of the law in 1 Macc 1.11. Having secured the kingdom through alliances with a few, whom he rewarded, he began to rule the people harshly.

There are several references to intrigue, deceit, and lies here (v21-28) - this is characteristic of nations more generally.

v25-27: His attack on Egypt, 1 Macc 1.16-19, Ptolemy Philometer. The king of Egypt was betrayed by those close to him, and his army defeated. Even so, Antiochus entered into covenant with Ptolemy, but both their hearts were bent on evil, and they lied to each other. Not surprisingly, their agreement could not last.

v28: Returning from Egypt with great wealth, Antiochus' heart was set on attacking Judah. See 1 Macc 1.20-24; he removed many of the objects of the temple, and took them back to his own land.

v29-30: Antiochus' later attack on Egypt was not so successful, and returned in anger to Judah, 1 Macc 1.29-40. He found allies in Judah amongst those who had departed from the faith.

v31-32: See 1 Macc 1.41-64; Antiochus forced many to disobey God's word, and used flattery to trick many. 1 Macc 1.54 refers specifically to the abomination of desolation (168 BC), and to the cleansing of the temple, some four years later, 1 Macc 4.

At this time, God raised up Mattathius (1 Macc 2) and Judas Maccabeus (1 Macc 3) to do great exploits. When Mattathius died, he spoke to his sons, one being Judas, and referred them to Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael, and Daniel as godly examples, 1 Macc 2.59-60, providing more proof that Daniel lived before these events.

v33-35: During this time, some chose to die, rather than to worship idols, or to disobey in other ways. Further, many Jews were taught afresh of the truths of God. See 1 Macc 2.37-38.

v36-39: More details about Antiochus' reign in Judah. He continued to exalt himself over God, and to dishonour the true God, the God of gods. He introduced fresh idolatry into the land.

v40-43: The invasion of Ptolemy, king of Egypt, to bring about the defeat and fall of Antiochus. His attack concentrated on Judah, leaving others, such as Edom, Moab, and Ammon untouched. Although Ptolemy was king of Egypt, he seemed to denude Egypt of its treasures, perhaps for personal gain.

v44-45: Referring to Antiochus, who was distracted into attacking the Persians and Parthians, and ended by a final assault on the people of God.