Ecclesiastes 8

Ecclesiastes 8:1

WHo knoweth the interpretation of a thing?] Who besides the wise man? that is, none else.

a mans wisedom maketh his face to shine] Proverbs 17:24. That is, doth get him favour and prosperity.

the boldnesse] Heb. the strength.

the boldnesse of his face shall be changed] Whereas before he was proud and arrogant, he shall become humble and meek or, his strength shall be renewed and doubled, Isaiah 40:31.

changed] Or, doubled.

Ecclesiastes 8:2

I counsel thee to keep the kings commandment] That thou obey the king, and keep the oath that thou hast made for the performance thereof.

commandment] Heb. mouth.

Ecclesiastes 8:3

Be not hastie to go out of his sight] Go not away discontented, when he commands thee any thing thou likest not, neither stand in rebellion against him; for he will punish thee, and can do it.

Ecclesiastes 8:4

who may say unto him, What doest thou?] Who dare say so, because of the kings power? or, who may, in regard of his authority? Proverbs 30:31.

Ecclesiastes 8:5

shall feel] Heb. shall know.

a wise mans heart discerneth both time and judgement] That is, when it is time to obey the king, and how far.

Ecclesiastes 8:6

therefore] Or, but.

therefore the misery of man is great upon him] Other men are miserable, because they know not this time and judgement, verse 7.

Ecclesiastes 8:7

when it shall be] Or, how it shall be.

Ecclesiastes 8:8

There is no man that hath power over the spirit] The subject hath no power to save his own life, when the king gives order for his death, nor no crafty wicked tricks can help him; and therefore he must not rashly cast himself into danger, by disobeying authority.

over the spirit, to retain the spirit] Job 14:5.

discharge] Or, casting off weapons.

Ecclesiastes 8:9

one man ruleth over another to his hurt] Tyrants and wicked rulers have, by their tyrannie and oppression, brought mischief upon themselves.

Ecclesiastes 8:10

who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the citie where they had so done] Or, and they who had come and gone from the place of the holy, were forgotten in the city where they had done right.

this is also vanitie] Their great pomp came to nothing, psal. 49. 17. or, as well good men, that had served God diligently, as bad men, were forgotten of them, among whom they had lived well, which grieved me to behold.

Ecclesiastes 8:11

Because sentence against an evil work is not executed] Where justice is delayed, there sin reigneth: or, impunity makes sinners the more obstinate.

Ecclesiastes 8:12

it shall be well with them that fear God] Psal. 37. 11, 18, 19. Isa. 3. 10, 11.

which fear before him] Or, because they fear before him. So it answers to the end of the next verse.

Ecclesiastes 8:14

happeneth according to the work of the wicked] Psalms 73:14. Ecclesiastes 7:15.

according to the work of the wicked] Which are punished, as though they were wicked.

Ecclesiastes 8:15

Then I commended mirth, &c.] Chap. 3. 22.

Ecclesiastes 8:16

for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes] Worldly men enjoy no rest night nor day from their worldly cares and distractions, psal. 127. 2.

sleep with his eyes] Chap. 5. 12.