Ecclesiastes 10:20 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 10:20

Curse not the king; no, not in thy thought ,.... Though he is a child, and unskilful in government, gives himself to his passions and pleasures, and neglects the affairs of the kingdom; yet be so far from rebelling against him, and doing him any injury, or speaking ill of him, as not even to wish him any ill; or, within thine own breast, imprecate any evil upon him, but rather pray for him, wish him well, and do everything to promote the welfare of his person and government, and this both... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 10:20

Curse not the king - Do not permit thyself even to think evil of the king; lest thy tongue at some time give vent to thy thoughts, and so thou be chargeable with treason. For a bird of the air shall carry the voice - Does he refer here to such fowls as the carrier pigeon, which were often used to carry letters under their wings to a great distance, and bring back answers? The Targum turns it curiously: "Do not speak evil of the king in thy conscience, nor in the secret of thy heart, nor... 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 10:20

Curse not the king, no not in thy thought. Under the above-mentioned circumstances, a man might be tempted to abuse and curse these ill-conditioned rulers. Koheleth warns against this error; it is dangerous to give way to it (comp. Exodus 22:28 ). In Ecclesiastes 8:2 the motive for submission to the king is placed on religious grounds; in the present passage the ground is prudence, regard for personal safety, which might be compromised by plain speaking, especially when one has to do... 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 10:20

Ecclesiastes 10:20. Curse not the king Having spoken of the miscarriages of kings, he now gives a caution to their subjects, that they should not thence take occasion to speak irreverently or contemptuously of them, or wish or design any evil against their persons or government. For though vices may be condemned wheresoever they are, yet both reverence and obedience are due to magistrates, as they are God’s deputies and vicegerents, and that, notwithstanding their vices, as is manifest from... 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 10:20

Curse not the king = Revile not a king. in thy thought = in thy secret thought: i.e. with all thy [acquired] knowledge. Hebrew. madda', a rare word. Occurs only six times. Rendered "thought", here; "knowledge" (2 Chronicles 1:10 , 2Ch 1:11 , 2 Chronicles 1:12 .Daniel 1:17; Daniel 1:17 ); "science" (Daniel 1:4 ). read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 10:20

"Revile not the king, no, not in thy thought; and revile not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird in the heavens will carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter."This is a warning against any kind of seditious talk against a monarch and against even the entertainment of any uncomplimentary thoughts regarding such a ruler; because, the nature of human gossips being what it is, the account of your words will be relayed to the ruler, "In a manner as rapid and as marvelously... read more