Interpretations
In Christian historicism, Daniel's vision has been linked to events that occurred in the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC concerning the struggle between the Ptolemies (the king of the south, cf 11:7-8) and the Seleucids (the king of the north) for the control of Judea, in which the Seleucids were eventually victorious. Daniel 11:21-35 is devoted to the Seleucid king Antiochus Epiphanes(the ruler of the Jews from 175-164 BCE), his rise to power, wars against Egypt, and his subsequent actions against Jerusalem, the Temple and the Jewish people. Daniel 11:3-39 is considered very accurate. All major conflicts are mentioned, and the Sixth Syrian War is described in great detail.
In Evangelicalism, the interpretation of the king mentioned in Daniel 11:36-45 is not the King of the North, but a fourth king who is identified as the Antichrist. This one engages in the military conquests of verses 40-45 where he targets the land of Israel The time of this attack is stated to be in the "end time". Some Evangelicals place this event during the first half of the Great Tribulation. They also link the identity of the kings to Isaiah 19:24, 25, which mentions Egypt and Syria (Assyria). Daniel 11:45 explains that after doing battle with Syria, the King of the North will return to Israel to establish his royal palace at "the beautiful Holy Mountain". This is interpreted to mean that the Antichrist will establish his headquarters on the Temple Mount.
Read more about this topic: Daniel 11