Verse 6
6. This points to the close alliance between the kings of the south (the Ptolemies) and the kings of the north (the Seleucidae). As only these two empires are being spoken of they are called southern and northern with reference to their geographical relations to each other and in order that they need not be named more definitely, which would have been contrary to the best apocalyptic style. The king’s daughter of the south, who comes to make “equitable conditions” with the king of the north, is evidently Berenice, daughter of Ptolemy Philadelphus, who was accepted as wife by Antiochus Theos (B.C. 250) in order to make peace with Ptolemy, who was at that time invading his kingdom. She shall, not retain the power of the arm, etc. Antiochus had been compelled by the threats of Ptolemy to discard his real wife, Laodice, and take Berenice instead, agreeing to recognize her sons as his legitimate heirs. But this stroke of diplomacy, by which Egypt probably sought to capture Syria, failed; for a little later, perhaps when her father died, Berenice was given up, being divorced by Antiochus who took again his former wife. Laodice, however either in revenge for her former treatment or in fear for her future murdered Antiochus a little later (B.C. 246), as also Berenice and her son; thus all who favored this unhappy queen, and had expected good from this alliance, suffered great ill from it. These are the historical facts to which these purposely obscure phrases refer. Instead of he that begat her we may read “he whom she brought forth;” referring to the babe killed by Laodice.
He that strengthened her This must refer either to her father or her husband at the beginning of their married life; more likely to the former. (See above.)
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