Peaceably. — The subject continues to be the perfidious conduct of the king mentioned in the last two verses. While the inhabitants are expecting nothing of the sort, he enters the richest parts of the province, and while he scatters largesses with profuseness and in apparent friendship, he is really planning attacks against the fortresses of the district, endeavouring to reduce them into his power.
This has been referred to the conduct of Antiochus Epiphanes, mentioned in 1Ma. 3:27-30, after the defeat of the Syrian army by Judas Maccabæus. According to another interpretation, the meaning is that he will scatter or disperse the accumulated wealth of the different provinces “among them” — that is, to their hurt. The former explanation appears to be most in accordance with the deceit and craft which the prophecy attributes to the king.
For a time. — That is, the end of the time decreed by God. (Comp. Daniel 11:35; Daniel 8:17; Daniel 8:19; Daniel 12:4; Daniel 12:6.)