Kings of the South and the North

Daniel 11:1-20

Three more kings will arise in Persia, and then a fourth, who will be far richer than all the others. When he has gained power by his wealth, he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece. Then a mighty king will arise, who will rule with great power and do as he pleases. After he has arisen, his empire will be broken up and parceled out toward the four winds of heaven. It will not go to his descendants, nor will it have the power he exercised, because his empire will be uprooted and given to others.

The king of the South will become strong, but one of his commanders will become even stronger than he and will rule his own kingdom with great power. After some years, they will become allies. The daughter of the king of the South will go to the king of the North to make an alliance, but she will not retain her power, and he and his power will not last.

Then the king of the South will march out in a rage and fight against the king of the North, who will raise a large army, but it will be defeated. When the army is carried off, the king of the South will be filled with pride and will slaughter many thousands, yet he will not remain triumphant. For the king of the North will muster another army, larger than the first; and after several years, he will advance with a huge army fully equipped.

This chapter presents a detailed account of the struggle that took place in the Persian and Greek periods. Those who believe that the book was written after these events naturally do not consider this chapter to be a real prophecy. The intention would still be to declare that God has full knowledge and control of all history.

There are to be three more Persian kings(Cambyses, Gaumata, and Darius I), followed by a fourth(Xerxes). Xerxes invaded Greece but was defeated at Salamis in 480BC. The power then passed to Greece. Verse 5 refers to Egypt and to Ptolemy's one-time general, Seleucus, who became 'king of the north'- the powerful king of Syria and the east. Fifty years later the daughter of Ptolemy II married Antiochus II of Syria. But she was divorced and murdered, and her brother avenged her by attacking Syria. Verses 9-13 reflect the struggles between the two powers at end of the 3rd century BC. The Hews then joined forces with Antiochus III of Syria to defeat Egypt. They gained their freedom from Egypt, and Antiochus made a marriage alliance with Ptolemy V. Antiochus invaded Asia Minor and Greece but was defeated by the Romans at Magnesia in 190BC.

Why?

God has full knowledge and control of all history.

How?

Give praise to the Lord, for God is the Lord of history in our universal.