Ecclesiastes 8:2-17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:1-5

Here is, I. An encomium of wisdom (Eccl. 8:1), that is, of true piety, guided in all its exercises by prudence and discretion. The wise man is the good man, that knows God and glorifies him, knows himself and does well for himself; his wisdom is a great happiness to him, for, 1. It advances him above his neighbours, and makes him more excellent than they: Who is as the wise man? Note, Heavenly wisdom will make a man an incomparable man. No man without grace, though he be learned, or noble, or... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:6-8

Solomon had said (Eccl. 8:5) that a wise man's heart discerns time and judgment, that is, a man's wisdom will go a great way, by the blessing of God, in moral prognostications; but here he shows that few have that wisdom, and that even the wisest may yet be surprised by a calamity which they had not any foresight of, and therefore it is our wisdom to expect and prepare for sudden changes. Observe, 1. All the events concerning us, with the exact time of them, are determined and appointed in the... read more

Matthew Henry

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:14-17

Wise and good men have, of old, been perplexed with this difficulty, how the prosperity of the wicked and the troubles of the righteous can be reconciled with the holiness and goodness of the God that governs the world. Concerning this Solomon here gives us his advice. I. He would not have us to be surprised at it, as though some strange thing happened, for he himself saw it in his days, Eccl. 8:14. 1. He saw just men to whom it happened according to the work of the wicked, who,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:2

I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment ,.... Or, "to observe the mouth of the king" F23 פי מלך שמר "os regis observes", Tigurine version, Pagninus, Mercerus; "observa", Montanus, Vatablus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius, Gejerus, Rambachius. ; what he says, and do according to it when it is agreeably to the law of God, and according to the laws of the kingdom, by which he is to govern; for kings are to be honoured, obeyed, and submitted to, in the lawful... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:3

Be not hasty to go out of his sight ,.... But of the sight of the King of kings. Do not think to hide thyself from him, for there is no fleeing from his presence, Psalm 139:7 ; it is best, when under some consternation, as the word F25 אל תבהל "ne consterneris", Gejerus, and some in Rambachius. signifies, or under some fearful apprehension of his wrath and indignation, to fall down before him, acknowledge the offence, and pray for pardon: and to this purpose is the Targum, "and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:4

Where the word of a king is, there is power ,.... Or "dominion" F26 שלטון "imperium", Montanus, Rambachius; "dominatio", Vatablus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Drusius. . Authority goes along with his word of command; and there is an inferior magistracy, a subordinate power under him, ready to execute his will upon the rebellious and disobedient. Jarchi interprets it, the word of the holy blessed God; and the Targum, the word of that King who rules over all the world; where... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:5

Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing ,.... Either the commandment of an earthly king, which should be kept, when agreeably to the laws of the nation, and not inconsistent with the commands of God; and such as do observe it "know no evil" F1 לא ידע "non cognoscet", Vatablus, Mercerus, Gejerus, Rambachius, Cocceius. , as it may be rendered, or no sorrow; they live peaceably and quietly, and enjoy the favour and protection of the government under which they are, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:6

Because to every purpose there is time and judgment ,.... There is a fit season, and a right and proper manner of doing everything that is to be done; see Ecclesiastes 3:1 ; which a wise man discerns; and which when a man hits upon, it prevents a great deal of mischief, which for want of it comes upon men, as the following clause shows; some refer this to the punishment of the wicked, and to a future judgment. So the Targum, "to every business there is a time good and evil, and according... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:7

For he knoweth not that which shall be ,.... Or that "it shall be" F2 מה שיהיה "quod futurum est", Pagninus, Montanus. ; that he ever shall have the opportunity again he has lost, nor what is to come hereafter; what shall be on the morrow, or what shall befall him in the remaining part of his days; what troubles and sorrows he shall meet with, or what will be the case and circumstances of his family after his death; for who can tell him when it shall be ? or "how it shall be" ... read more

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