Daniel 11:17-20 - He will fall to be seen no more

11:17-19

Having conquered significant areas between the north and the south, the king of the north will make an alliance with the south. He will also seek to subjugate the south by giving the king of the south one of his daughters in marriage. The use of marriage as a diplomatic tool was common in Europe at one time. The goal of the king of the North will be to overthrow the south, but this goal will not be achieved. Having failed in this venture he will turn his attention to various lands on the coast of the Mediterranean, but these too will be thwarted by another “commander” (indicating that another empire will arise). He will finally retreat to his own country, but will eventually fall to be seen no more.

11:20

Kingdoms in decline always encounter severe financial problems. They have overreached themselves and based their plans on an assumption of ever increasing success. Our own governments do the same with their economic policies, and these always come to a sticky end. So the successor of the king will send out tax collectors to try and maintain the kingdom. But this will also end in failure.