"shall one stand up in his estate, which shall "come with an army, and shall enter into the "fortress of the king of the North, and shall “deal against them, and shall prevail : 8. And "shall also carry captive into Egypt their gods, "with their princes, and with their precious "vessels of silver and gold; and he shall con"tinue more years than the king of the North. "9. So the king of the South shall come into "his kingdom, and shall return into his own "land." The crime of Laodice did not long remain unpunished and unrevenged; for Ptolemy Euergetes, who was brother to Berenice, or sprang out of the same root with her, no sooner stood up in his estate, or succeeded his father Ptolemy Philadelphus in the kingdom of Egypt, than he entered into the provinces of the king of the North, that is, of Seleucus Callinicus, son of Loadice, who now with his mother reigned in Syria. And he dealt against them and prevailed, so far that he took Syria, Cilicia, and the country beyond the Euphrates, with the city of Babylon, and overran almost all Asia. And he entered into the fortress of the king of the North, or took the city of Seleucia, which was kept for some years afterwards by the garrisons of the kings of Egypt; but when he had heard that a sedition was raised in Egypt, he plundered the kingdom of Seleucus, and took forty thousand talents of

silver and precious vessels; and images of the gods, two thousand and five hundred; among which were also those which Cambyses, after he had taken Egypt, had carried into Persia. And for thus restoring their gods after many years, the Egyptians, who were a nation much addicted to idolatry, complimented him with the title of Euergetes, or the benefactor. So the king of the South came to the kingdom of the North, and then returned into his own land. He likewise continued more years than the king of the North; for Seleucus Callinicus died in exile, of a fall from his horse, and Ptolemy Euergetes survived him about four or five years.

Ver. 10. "But his sons shall be stirred up, " and shall assemble a multitude of great "forces; and one shall certainly come, and "overflow, and pass through then shall he "return, and be stirred up, even to his fort

ress." The sons of the king of the North, or of Seleucus Callinicus, were Seleucus and Antiochus; the elder of whom, Seleucus, succeeded his father in the throne, and to distinguish him from others of the same name, was denominated Ceraunus or the thunderer. Seleucus Ceraunus was indeed stirred up, and assembled a multitude of great forces: but being destitute of money, and unable to keep his army

in obedience, he was poisoned by two of his generals, while on an expedition to Asia Minor, after an inglorious reign of two or three years. Upon his decease his brother Antiochus Magnus was proclaimed king, who was more deserving of the title of Great, than Seleucus was of that of the Thunderer. The Prophet's expression is very remarkable, that his sons should be stirred up and assemble a multitude of great forces; but then the number is changed, and only one should certainly come, and overflow, and pass through. Accordingly

Antiochus came with a great army and retook Selucia, and, by the means of Theodotus the Ætolian, recovered Syria, making himself master of some places by treaty, and of others by force of arms. Then, after the interval of a short truce, Antiochus returned and overcame in battle Nicolaus the Egyptian general, and had thoughts of invading Egypt itself.

Ver. 11. "And the king of the South shall be "moved with choler, and shall come forth "and fight with him, even with the king of the "North, and he shall set forth a great multi"tude, but the multitude shall be given into "his hand." The king of Egypt at that time was Ptolemy Philopater, who was advanced to the crown upon the death of his father Euergetes, not long after Antiochus the Great suc

ceeded his brother in the throne of Syria. This Ptolemy was a most luxurious and vicious prince, but was roused at length by the nearer approach of danger; and was no doubt moved with choler for the losses which he had sustained, and for the revolt of Theodotus and others. And he came forth, or marched out of Egypt, with a numerous army to oppose the enemy, and encamped not far from Raphia, which was the nearest town to Egypt from Rhonocorura. And there he fought with him, even with the king of the North; for thither likewise came Antiochus with his army, and a memorable battle was fought by the two kings. And the king of the North set forth a great multitude. Polybius, as Bishop Newton observes, hath recited the various nations of which Antiochus's army was composed, and altogether it amounted to 62,000 foot, 6000 horse, and 102 elephants. But yet the multitude was given into the hand of the king of the South; for Ptolemy obtained a complete victory: and of Antiochus's army there were slain not much fewer than 10,000 foot, more than 300 horse, and above 4000 men were taken prisoners; whereas of Ptolemy's there were killed only 1500 foot and 700 horse. Upon this defeat Raphia and the neighbouring towns contended who should be most forward to submit to the conqueror; and

Antiochus was forced to retreat with his shattered army to Antioch, and from thence sent ambassadors to solicit a peace.

Ver. 12. "And when he hath taken away the "multitude, his heart shall be lifted up; and " he shall cast down many ten thousands: but "he shall not be strengthened." Ptolemy Philopater was more fortunate in gaining a victory, than prudent in knowing how to make a proper advantage of it: if he had pursued the blow that he had given, it is reasonably presumed that he might have deprived Antiochus, of his kingdom; but after a few menaces and complaints he granted peace to Antiochus, that he might be no more interrupted in the gratification of his appetites and passions. He had before murdered his father, and his mother, and his brother; and now he killed his wife, who was also his sister, and gave himself up entirely to the management of Agathoclea his concubine, and her brother Agathocles, and mother Enanthe. And so forgetful was he of all the greatness of his name and majesty, that he consumed his days in feasting, and his nights in debaucheries; and became not only the spectator, but the master and leader, of all wickedness. After the retreat of Antiochus, Ptolemy visited the cities of Cœle-Syria and Palestine, which had submitted to him: and