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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:4-11

The scope of these verses is to keep subjects loyal and dutiful to the government. In Solomon's reign the people were very rich, and lived in prosperity, which perhaps made them proud and petulant, and when the taxes were high, though they had enough to pay them with, it is probable that many conducted themselves insolently towards the government and threatened to rebel. To such Solomon here gives some necessary cautions. I. Let not subjects carry on a quarrel with their prince upon any... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:4

If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee ,.... The wrath of the civil magistrate, the chief ruler of the land, the sovereign prince or king, to whom men are and should be subject: if his wrath on any occasion breaks out in a furious manner, and, like a storm and tempest, is very blustering and threatening: leave not thy place ; at court; thine office under the prince, do not throw it up in a passion, and quit his service upon it; and much less forget thy duty and allegiance to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 10:4

If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee - If the king get incensed against thee. Leave not thy place - Humble thyself before him, that is thy place and duty; for yielding to him, and not standing stoutly in thy defense, pacifieth great offenses: and then, when his anger is appeased, he will hear any thing in thy justification, if thou have any thing to offer. This is good advice to a child in reference to his parents, and to an inferior of any kind in reference to his superiors. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:4

If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee . "Spirit" ( ruach ) is here equivalent to "anger," as 8:3 ; Proverbs 29:11 . The idea seems to be that a statesman or councilor gives wise advice to a monarch, which the latter takes in bad part, and shows strong resentment against the person who offered it. Now, when a man knows himself to be in the right, and yet finds his counsel rejected, perhaps with scorn and reproach added, he is naturally prone to feel sore, and to show by some... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:4-7

Section 12. Illustration of the conduct of wisdom under capricious rulers, or when fools are exalted to high stations. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 10:4

If the spirit ... - i. e., If he is angry.Leave not thy place - i. e., Do not lose thy self-control and quit his presence. Gentleness on thy part will calm both thyself and him, and prevent great wrongs being committed by either. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 10:4

Ecclesiastes 10:4. If the spirit of a ruler His passion or wrath; rise up against thee Upon some misinformation given him, or mismanagement of thine; leave not thy place In anger or discontent. Withdraw not thyself rashly and hastily from his presence and service: see on Ecclesiastes 8:3. Continue in a diligent and faithful discharge of thy duty, as becomes a subject, and modestly and humbly submit to him. For yielding pacifieth, &c. Hebrew יניח מרפא , healing maketh to cease... 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 10:4

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 . yielding, &c. = gentleness preventeth greater outrages. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 10:4

"If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for gentleness allayeth great offences."Deane believed that this referred to some situation in which a person appointed to some place of service to the ruler (king) should not hastily resign because of some displeasure that might be manifested by the king.[3] We might paraphrase it by saying, "Don't run when accused, they might think you are guilty"! read more

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