What does Daniel 11:20 mean?

According to history, the events given in this section of the book of Daniel are accurate, despite being recorded several centuries in advance. Daniel received these prophecies in 536 BC (Daniel 10:1; 11:2). Much of what is predicted did not occur until the fourth, third, and second centuries BC. A prominent figure in recent verses is the "king of the north:" the king of Syria, ruler of the Seleucid Empire, Antiochus III, also known as "Antiochus the Great." Daniel's text outlines Antiochus's campaigns, eventual expulsion from Asia Minor, and death (Daniel 11:14–19).

This verse refers to a successor associated with heavy taxes, who would quickly be overcome by something other than battle or an outburst. This corresponds to the fate of Antiochus III's initial heir, his son Seleucus IV Philopator. Seleucus drastically increased taxes to pay his father's fine for the invasion of Asia Minor and Greece. He also arranged for his brother, Mithradates, to be brought back from Roman political custody in exchange for his own son. His reign was brief—though not incredibly so—and uneventful. He was eventually assassinated via poison by one of his political officials.

This led to Mithradates taking the throne, at which time he took the name Antiochus IV Epiphanes. He would become infamous for his horrific persecution of the Jewish people (Daniel 8:23–25). Daniel's next segment of prophecy focuses on the career of this historical villain, whose life foreshadows events associated with the end times.