דניאל, פרק י״א, פסוק כ״ה

A massive military clash is ultimately decided not by the strength of soldiers on the battlefield, but through the quiet and deadly force of internal betrayal. The King of the North rouses himself, gathering his courage and mobilizing his forces for an immediate second military campaign [אבן עזרא, מלבי״ם]. He launches a war against the King of the South, identified as the King of Egypt [יוסף אבן יחיא], and specifically Ptolemy Philometor [מלבי״ם]. In response, the King of the South marches out to meet him with an incredibly powerful army, a force even larger than the army of Demetrius [יוסף אבן יחיא].

Despite possessing this overwhelming military might, the King of the South cannot hold his ground against his northern rival [אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד]. The commentators agree that this defeat does not stem from a lack of military strength. Instead, the downfall comes from within. His own advisors, deputies, and closest men plot against him and rebel [אבן עזרא, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The King of the North, identified in this context with the Romans, uses clever tactics and bribes the military commanders of the King of the South. Corrupted by this influence, these commanders betray their leader and refuse to fight with bravery [רש״י, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם]. Ultimately, this deep internal betrayal leads to the complete defeat of the southern army and results in heavy casualties [מלבי״ם].