Charles Ellicott Commentary Daniel 11:24

"In time of security shall he come even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers` fathers; he shall scatter among them prey, and spoil, and substance: yea, he shall devise his devices against the strongholds, even for a time." — Daniel 11:24 (ASV)

Peaceably.— The subject continues to be the treacherous 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 gifts profusely and in apparent friendship, he is really planning attacks against the fortresses of the district, seeking to bring them under his power.

This has been referred to the conduct of Antiochus Epiphanes, mentioned in 1 Maccabees 3:27-30, after the defeat of the Syrian army by Judas Maccabeus. 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 (Compare to Daniel 11:35, Daniel 8:17, Daniel 8:19, Daniel 12:4, Daniel 12:6).