Daniel's Rise and Fall of Empires

Daniel's Rise and Fall of Empires

Kings of the South and the North

Daniel 11:21 "And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries."

in his estate... This refers to Antiochus IV, called Epiphanes, the Illustrious, who reigned 175-163 B.C. All of Dan. 11:21-34 refers to him. Several details are given concerning things which the last Syrian king, the Antichrist, will also do, and that more completely.

to whom they... The true heir, Demetrius, another son of Seleucus IV, was being held in Rome as a hostage. This gave Antiochus Epiphanes the opportunity of seizing the throne.

How Antiochus Epiphanes Became King

but he shall come... Antiochus Epiphanes was on his way from Rome when his father, Seleucus IV, died. Heliodorus who poisoned the king had already declared himself king, as had several others, but Antiochus came home peaceably (not in war) and obtained the kingdom with flattery. He flattered Eumenes, king of Pergamos, and Attalus his brother, and got their assistance. He flattered the Romans, and sent ambassadors to court their favor, paying them tribute which was in arrears. He flattered the Syrians, gained their favor, and took the throne with their backing. Here Antiochus Epiphanes is called a "vile person" because he was every man’s companion. He resorted to the common shops and taverns, drank with the lowest characters, and sang debauched songs with them. For this he was called by some Epimanes, the Madman.