Daniel 11:34 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Now when they shall fall When they shall lie quite overcome and oppressed with these great miseries; they shall be holpen with a little help This was fulfilled by Mattathias and his five sons, who, in the height of their misery, stood up with most wonderful zeal and courage, to oppose these cruelties of Antiochus by force of arms; and several times overthrew, with great slaughter, Antiochus's parties who were employed in harassing Judea. But many shall cleave to them with flatteries That is, shall be pretended friends only. Such were Joseph and Azarias, who engaged in the common cause out of ambition and a desire of fame, 1Ma 5:56; 1Ma 5:62. Such were they who, after their death, were found with idols consecrated under their clothes, 2Ma 12:40. Such was Rhodocus, who disclosed their secrets to the enemy, chap. 2Ma 13:21.