Albert Barnes Commentary Daniel 11:1

"And as for me, in the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood up to confirm and strengthen him." — Daniel 11:1 (ASV)

Also I - I, the angel. He alludes here to what he had done on a former occasion to promote the interests of the Hebrew people and to secure those arrangements which were necessary for their welfare—particularly in the favorable disposition of Darius the Mede toward them.

In the first year of Darius the Mede - See the notes at Daniel 5:31. He does not here state the things contemplated or done by Darius in which he had confirmed or strengthened him, but there can be no reasonable doubt that it was the purpose he had conceived to restore the Jews to their own land, and to give them permission to rebuild their city and temple .

It was in that year that Daniel offered his solemn prayer, as recorded in Daniel 9; in that year that, according to the time predicted by Jeremiah , the captivity would terminate; and in that year that an influence from above led the mind of the Persian king to contemplate the restoration of the captive people.

Cyrus was, indeed, the one through whom the edict for their return was promulgated; but since he reigned under his uncle Cyaxares or Darius, and since Cyaxares was the source of authority, it is evident that his mind must have been influenced to grant this favor, and it is to this that the angel here refers.

I stood to confirm and to strengthen him - Compare the notes at Daniel 10:13. It would seem that the mind of Darius was not wholly decided; that adverse influences were bearing on it; that counselors of his realm probably advised against the proposed measures; and the angel here says that he stood by him, confirmed him in his purpose, and secured the execution of his benevolent plan.

Who can prove that an angel may not exert an influence on the heart of kings? And what class of men is there who, when they intend to do good and right, are more likely to have their purposes changed by evil counselors than kings; and who are there that more need a heavenly influence to confirm their design to do right?