Ecclesiastes 8:13 KJV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:9-13

Solomon, in the beginning of the chapter, had warned us against having any thing to do with seditious subjects; here, in these verses, he encourages us, in reference to the mischief of tyrannical and oppressive rulers, such as he had complained of before, Eccl. 3:16; 4:1. 1. He had observed many such rulers, Eccl. 8:9. In the serious views and reviews he had taken of the children of men and their state he had observed that many a time one man rules over another to his hurt; that is, (1.) To... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:13

But it shall not be well with the wicked ,.... It shall be ill with him; more is designed than is expressed, Isaiah 3:11 ; in life they have no solid peace and comfort; at death they will be turned into at judgment they will hear the awful sentence, "Go, ye cursed", and will be in torment to all eternity, Matthew 25:41 ; neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow : wicked men sometimes do not live out half their days, which, according to the course of nature, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 8:13

But it shall not be well with the wicked - Let not the long-spared sinner presume that, because sentence is not speedily executed on his evil works, and he is suffered to go on to his hundredth transgression, God has forgotten to punish. No, he feareth not before Good; and therefore he shall not ultimately escape. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:10-15

Section 6. Koheleth is troubled by apparent anomalies in God's moral government. He notes the prosperity of the godless and the misery of the righteous, God's abstention and the seeming impunity of sinners make men incredulous of Providence; but God is just in reward and punishment, as the end will prove. Meantime, returning to his old maxim, he advises men patiently to acquiesce in things as they are, and to make the best of life. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:13

But it shall not be well with the wicked . If experience seemed often to militate against this assertion, Koheleth's faith prevailed against apparent contradictions. Neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow. Above we read of a wicked man enjoying a long, untroubled life; here the contrary is stated. Such contradictions are seen every day. There are inscrutable reasons for the delay of judgment; but on the whole moral government is vindicated, and even the long life of a... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 8:12-13

Ecclesiastes 8:12-13. Though a sinner do evil a hundred times Frequently, and innumerably; and his days be prolonged The time of his life and prosperity; yet it shall be well with them that fear God This implies both that good men might for a time suffer grievous things from tyrants, oppressors, and persecutors, and that it should be very ill with the wicked, which, indeed, is expressed in the following verse: which fear before him Who stand in awe of God, and fear and forbear to sin,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

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

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 8:13

13. neither shall he prolong—not a contradiction to Ecclesiastes 8:12. The "prolonging" of his days there is only seeming, not real. Taking into account his eternal existence, his present days, however seemingly long, are really short. God's delay (Ecclesiastes 8:12- :) exists only in man's short-sighted view. It gives scope to the sinner to repent, or else to fill up his full measure of guilt; and so, in either case, tends to the final vindication of God's ways. It gives exercise to the faith,... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ecclesiastes 8:1-17

B. God’s Inscrutable Plan chs. 7-8Solomon proceeded in this section to focus on the comprehensive plan of God: His decree. His point was that we cannot fathom it completely. read more