Ecclesiastes 10:17 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:16-20

Solomon here observes, I. How much the happiness of a land depends upon the character of its rulers; it is well or ill with the people according as the princes are good or bad. 1. The people cannot be happy when their princes are childish and voluptuous (Eccl. 10:16): Woe unto thee, O land! even the land of Canaan itself, though otherwise the glory of all lands, when thy king is a child, not so much in age (Solomon himself was young when his kingdom was happy in him) as in understanding; when... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:17

Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles ,.... Or "heroes" F26 חורים "heroum", Montanus. , called "Hhorim" in the Hebrew, which signifies "white"; either from the white garment they wore, or rather from the purity and ingenuity of their minds and manners; being illustrious persons, not only by birth and education, but in their lives and actions. Now a land is happy when it is governed by a king that is not only descended from a race of heroes and illustrious... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 10:17

When thy king is the son of nobles - uiov eleuyerwn, the son of freemen; persons well acquainted with the principles of civil liberty, and who rule according to them - Septuagint. Such a one as comes to the throne in a legitimate way, from an ancient regal family, whose right to the throne is incontestable. It requires such a long time to establish a regal right, that the state is in continual danger from pretenders and usurpers, where the king is not the son of nobles. And thy princes... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:16-20

Section 15. Koheleth returns to the theme mentioned in Ecclesiastes 10:4-7 . and speaks of folly in one who holds the position of king, and the need of wisdom and prudence in the subjects of an unworthy ruler. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:17

Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles ! cujus rex nobilis est (Vulgate), υἱὸς ἐλευθέρων , "son of free men". Some would regard "son of nobles" as a periphrasis expressive of character, equivalent to the Latin generosus, as "son of strength," equivalent to "strong man;" "son of wickedness," equivalent to "wicked man;" but the phrase may well be taken literally. Koheleth ( Ecclesiastes 10:7 ) has expressed his disgust at the exaltation of unworthy slaves to... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 10:16-20

Foolish rulers, by their weakness, self-indulgence and sloth, bring decay upon the state: nobleness and temperance insure prosperity: yet the subject must not rebel in word or thought against his king.Ecclesiastes 10:16A child - Rather, young. The word is applied to Rehoboam 2 Chronicles 13:7 at the time of his accession to the throne, when he was 41 years old.Eat in the morning - A sign of intemperance (compare Isaiah 5:11).Ecclesiastes 10:17Son of nobles - i. e., of a noble... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 10:16-17

Ecclesiastes 10:16-17. Wo to thee, O land, when thy king is a child Either in age or childish qualities; and thy princes eat in the morning Give themselves up to eating and drinking at that time of the day which is most fit for God’s service, for the despatch of weighty affairs, and for sitting in judgment. Blessed art thou when thy king is the son of the nobles Not so much by birth, as even the worst of kings commonly are, and have been, as by their noble and worthy dispositions and... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:1-20

Thoughts on wisdom and folly (9:13-10:20)A simple story illustrates how a person may be wise and humble, but the good he does is not appreciated by those who benefit from it. Riches, status and a show of power are the things people admire. If a person lacks these, he is ignored or despised, even though his quiet words of wisdom may save a city from destruction (13-18).One foolish act can spoil a lot of good. Stupidity leads to wrongdoing and marks a person out as a fool in the eyes of everyone... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 10:17

Blessed = Happy. Hebrew. 'ashrey. The only occurrence in this book. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 10:17

"Happy art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness.""But a country is fortunate to have a king who makes his own decisions and leaders who eat at the proper time, who control themselves and don't get drunk."[20] read more