Ecclesiastes 10:10-20

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:12-15

Solomon, having shown the benefit of wisdom, and of what great advantage it is to us in the management of our affairs, here shows the mischief of folly and how it exposes men, which perhaps comes in as a reflection upon those rulers who set folly in great dignity. I. Fools talk a great deal to no purpose, and they show their folly as much by the multitude, impertinence, and mischievousness of their words, as by any thing; whereas the words of a wise man's mouth are gracious, are grace,... read more

Matthew Henry

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 10:10

If the iron be blunt ,.... With which a man cleaves wood: the axe, made of iron: and he do not whet the edge ; with some proper instrument to make it sharper, that it may cut the more easily; then must he put to more strength ; he must give a greater blow, strike the harder, and use more force; and yet it may not be sufficient, or; it may be to no purpose, and he himself may be in the greatest danger of being hurt; as such are who push things with all their might and main, without... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:11

Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment ,.... See Jeremiah 8:17 . Or rather, "without a whisper" F20 בלא לחש "absque susurro", Pagniuus; "absque sibilo", Tigurine version. ; without hissing, or any noise, giving no warning at all: so the Vulgate Latin version renders it, "in silence"; some serpents bite, others sting, some both; see Proverbs 23:32 ; some hiss, others not, as here; and a babbler is no better ; a whisperer, a backbiter, a busy tattling body, that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:12

The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious ,.... Or "grace" F21 חן "gratia", Montanus, Mercerus, Drusius, Cocceius, Rambachius. . He speaks kind and good things in favour of the characters of men, and not as the babbling detractor: he speaks well of civil magistrates and rulers in the state; of the ministers of the word in the church; and of all his fellow creatures, as far as can with truth be said: and a truly good and gracious man, who is Solomon's wise man, in opposition to a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:13

The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness ,.... As soon as ever he opens his mouth, he betrays his folly; the first word he speaks is a foolish one; or it is from the abundant folly in his heart that he speaks, which is the source and spring of all his foolish talk; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness ; to himself and others; as he goes on, he appears more and more foolish, and yet more confident of his own wisdom; and is resolutely set on having his own way... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:14

A fool also is full of words ,.... Or, "multiplies words" F25 ירבה "multiplicabit", Pagninus, Montanus; "multiplicat", Vatablus, Mercerus, Drusius, Amama, Gejerus, Rambachius, Cocceius. . Is very talkative, says the same thing over and over again; uses an abundance of waste words, that have no meaning in them; utters every thing that comes uppermost, without any order or judgment; affects to talk on every subject, whether he knows anything of it or not; and will engross all the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:15

The labour of the foolish wearieth everyone of them ,.... The labour of fools, both in speaking and doing, weary those who have any concern with them, and themselves likewise, since all their labour is vain and fruitless; because he knoweth not how to go to the city ; to any city, the road to which is usually broad, and plain and easy to be found, and yet cannot be found by the foolish man; showing, that he that talks of abstruse things, things too high and wonderful for him, which he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:16

Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child ,.... Not so much in age; though it is sometimes an unhappiness to a nation to be governed by a minor, especially if the young king has not good tutors, guardians, ministers, and counsellors, about him; but, if otherwise, a nation may be very happy under a minority, or the government of a young prince; such were Solomon, Joash, Uzziah, Josiah, and our Edward VI: but it rather respects one that is a child in understanding and judgment, in... read more

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