Charles Ellicott Commentary Daniel 11:34

"Now when they shall fall, they shall be helped with a little help; but many shall join themselves unto them with flatteries." — Daniel 11:34 (ASV)

Now when they shall fall—Referring to those who suffer during this persecution, to whichever class they belong. (See last Note). They will not be entirely without help, but some small assistance will be given to them. This assistance will be small, either compared with their present needs or contrasted with the great help that will be given to them when the tribulation attains its greatest severity. In the Maccabean persecutions, help was given to the sufferers by Judas and his brothers (1 Maccabees 3:11 and following, 1 Maccabees 4:14 and following). This prevented the faithful from disappearing entirely.

Many shall cleave...—Dissimulation will cause some to declare themselves on the side of “those that understand.” This is a feature that will be noticed in religious persecutions; as one party or the other gains in power and its prospects brighten, it gains fresh adherents. This held true in the days of Antiochus (see 1 Maccabees 6:21 and following, and 1 Maccabees 9:23).