John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 8:1-17
Kings’Courts Need Wary Walking1-17. Be discreet in relation with a ruler. God’s purpose must be carried out. His rule must be righteous, though this is often not seen in actual life. God’s ways are just, and past finding out.The writer now enters on a subject which it would not have been wise to treat too plainly, viz. the need of showing tact in dealing with the arbitrary power of an absolute monarch. No part of the book is more decidedly at variance with the Solomonic authorship than this... read more
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ecclesiastes 8:5-7
The wise person also knows when and how to speak and act (Ecclesiastes 8:5). Often people suffer harm as a result of not knowing what will happen and when (Ecclesiastes 8:6-7). Consequently, they misdirect their words and deeds. read more