The south. — Here, for the first time in the second portion of the prophecy, mention is made of the southern king. It is highly probable that the deceit mentioned in the last three verses had this king and his provinces for its object. This and the next two verses are supposed to describe the war of Antiochus with Ptolemy Philometor (see 1Ma. 1:16-19), or his war with Physcon, on which see Livy. xliv. 19.
His power and his courage — i.e., his military skill as well as his personal energy.
But he shall not stand. — Comp. Daniel 8:4. The subject is the king of the south, who finds the devices of his opponent are more than a match for him. The “devices are explained in the next two verses.