¹ And in the first year of Darius the Mede, the first king referred to, [the angel Michael] took my stand to support and protect him.)

NOTE: Ever wonder WHY he took a stand to protect Darius the Mede? Darius is the conquering king who released the Ju-deans (Judeans) from Babylon by order of the Persian King Cyrus.

The Kings of the South and the North

 2 “Now then, I [the angel Michael] tell you [Daniel] the truth: Three more kings will arise in Persia, and then a fourth, who will be far richer than all the others. [Cambyses, Smerdis, Darius the Great, Xerxes (aka Ahasuerus; His wife was Queen Esther of the Bible book Esther]. When [Xerxes] he has gained power through his wealth, he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece [Xerxes invaded Greece with land troops and a navy. Successful at first, he had to return to Babylon to put down a revolt there. He left behind a commander who lost the war with Macedonia-Greece but left great anger in the hearts of the Greeks]. 3 Then a mighty king [Alexander the Great invades Persia in retaliation for what Xerxes, aka Ahasuerus of Persia, had done to Greece many years prior; Artaxerxes the V was in power in Persia when Alexander conquered this empire killing its royalty] will arise, who will rule with great power and do as he please. 4 After he has deceased [Alexander the Great of Greece dies in Babylon], his empire will be broken up and parceled out toward the four winds of heaven. It will not go to his descendants, nor will it [Alexander’s Empire] have the power he [Alexander the Great] exercised because his empire will be uprooted and given to others. [Alexander’s Greek Empire, the major portions of it, were divided between four of his primary generals; Ptolemy in Egypt, Seleucus Nicator- who began the Seleucid (Syrian) empire, and General Cassander who took control of Greece proper. He was challenged by General Antigonus. General Lysimachus took control of Thracia between Greece and Turkey. Initially it was divided 7 ways] 

5 “The king of the South [Ptolemy I in Egypt] will become strong, but one of his former commanders [Seleucus I Nicator; “seven of Alexander’s generals were fighting each other for the same territory”] will become even stronger than he and will rule his [Seleucus I Nicator - Syrian empire, later known as the King of the North] own kingdom with great power (history tells us that Seleucus became strong and took some of the Middle East including Syria from Antigonus). 6 Several years later, they (Egypt and Syria) will become allies. The daughter [Berenice] of the king of the South [Ptolemy Philadelphius] will go to the king of the North [Antiochus II] to ally, but she will not retain her power [two years after the marriage-alliance Ptolemy Philadelphius of Egypt dies], and he [Antiochus] and his power will not last. In those days she [Berenice] will be betrayed, together with her royal escort, her father, and the one who supported her. [Laodice, the first wife of Antiochus retaliated by first murdering him, then Berenice, her children, and all of her attendants were put to the sword]
 7 “One from her [Berenice’s] family line [her Emperor brother Ptolemy Euregetes in Egypt] will rise to take her place. He [Ptolemy Euregetes] will attack the forces of the king of the North [to avenge his sister Berenice. He attacks Seleucus II Callinicus of Syria] and enters his fortress; he will fight against them and be victorious. 8 He [Ptolemy Euregete] of Egypt, [Berenice’s brother] will also seize their [Syrian], gods, their metal images, and their valuable articles of silver and gold and carry them off to Egypt [the Southern Kingdom]. For some years he will leave the king of the North [Syria] alone. 9 Then the king of the North [Seleucus II] will invade the realm of the king of the South [Egypt] but will retreat to his own country [Syria]. 10 His sons [Seleucus III and Antiochus the Great of Syria; 223 B.C.] will prepare for war and assemble a great army, which will sweep on like an irresistible *flood and carry the battle as far as his fortress. [They have limited success regaining former territory lost earlier by Seleucus II; recaptures the area of ancient Israel from the Ptolemy lll of Egypt, Berenice’s brother].

*This is intended verbiage by Daniel or a very interesting coincidence. During the Tribulation, Satan will also attempt to flood the refuge area where those of Israel flee for protection during End Time tribulation aka: Jacob's Trouble. Satan will also have very limited success for vengeance as the Bible tells us God opens the earth and swallows the flood waters intended to destroy Israelis [Revelation 12:15].