John Calvin Commentary Daniel 11:26

"Yea, they that eat of his dainties shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow; and many shall fall down slain." — Daniel 11:26 (ASV)

The angel predicted yesterday that Ptolemy would not prevail in battle, due to the treachery of his own followers. He now specifies the kind of treachery, for his chief courtiers or counselors would be the authors of this perfidy. He contrasts the common soldiers with their leaders, for in the second clause, he shows how the soldiers would discharge their duty without sparing either their life or their blood.

We now understand the Holy Spirit’s intention in this verse, for he says the authors of this perfidy would not be ordinary men, but the chief among the counselors. They are said to eat at the king’s table, as in the first chapter we saw how a portion was given to Daniel and his companions from the royal food at the king’s table.

Thus he shows how dishonorable this perfidy was, as they ate at his table and were his intimate companions.

They shall destroy him, he says, and his army shall be overwhelmed. He shows that many were prepared for this duty, who would boldly and freely expose their lives to danger for their king’s safety and their country’s defense, but many should fall wounded.

He signifies that there would be a great slaughter in his army, and the outcome of the battle would not be according to his wish, because his generals would not preserve their fidelity to their sovereign.

By this example, the angel describes to us the ordinary situation of kings. They choose their counselors not by their honesty, but by the mere appearance of congeniality in their affections and tastes. If a king is avaricious, cunning, cruel, or sensual, he desires to have friends and attendants who will not check his avarice, his craftiness, his cruelty, or his lust.

Hence they deserve the treatment they receive and experience treachery from those whom they ought not to treat with so much honor, if they considered themselves in duty bound to God and to their people.