Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:1-17
Compromise, despair and joy (8:1-17)Wisdom helps people see the underlying meaning of things and teaches them that to act with pleasantness is better than to act with harshness (8:1). If, for example, people work in the king’s palace, they will do what the king says, partly because they have sworn before God to be obedient and partly because they will be punished if they disobey. But if they find the king’s command unreasonable, wisdom will show them a way out. They will wait for a suitable... read more
Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 8:2-4
Ecclesiastes 8:2-4. I counsel thee to keep the king’s commandment All his commands which are not contrary to the will of God, who must be obeyed rather than any man, even rather than a king. In regard of the oath of God Because of that oath which thou hast taken to keep all God’s laws, whereof this of obedience to superiors is one. Be not hasty to go out of his sight Hebrew, to go from his face or presence, namely, in dislike or discontent to withdraw thyself from the king’s service,... read more