The Kings of the South and the North
both these kings’... Deceitfulness of Antiochus Epiphanes and Ptolemy Philometer:
The hearts of these kings, Antiochus Epiphanes of Syria and Ptolemy Philometer of Egypt (whom Antiochus took prisoner), were equally deceitful. Antiochus, the uncle of Ptolemy, pretended to have the interest of Ptolemy at heart, since the Alexandrians had rebelled and made Ptolemy’s brother their king. When Antiochus came to Memphis, he and Ptolemy had frequent conferences at the same table. They both professed love for each other, yet both were planning how to ruin the other. Neither one prospered with his lies (Dan. 11:27). The reason Antiochus did not prosper was because the Romans demanded that he surrender Egypt. In this he yielded but retained Coelesyria, Israel, and Phoenicia. Ptolemy did not prosper because of this settlement demanded by the Romans. The reason is given in Dan. 11:27: "for yet the end shall be at the time appointed." That is, the end of the appointed time was not yet come.
It appears the two kings mentioned here dine at the same table. They both lie to each other. They, both, will soon face the Romans. They were unsuccessful with all their lies.
The victor and the vanquished sat at a table together as though friendship had been established, but the goal of both to establish peace was never realized for they both were deceptive.
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