Ecclesiastes 10

Ecclesiastes 10:2

2. A wise man’s heart is at his right hand;] That is, ready to be employed with dexterity and effect. Parkhurst. Herein a truly wise man’s worth is discovered, that his judgment never fails him in the greatest difficulties, in which he not only resolves right, but takes things by the right handle; whereas a fool mistakes in his aim, and stumbles so much in the easiest business, that he commonly miscarries. Bp. Patrick.

3. Give a portion to seven, &c.] Be not narrow and confined in thine abns, but bestow them liberally on all that have need. Bp. Hall. See the note on Job v. 19.

Ecclesiastes 10:3

3. Yea also, when he that is a fool &c.] Yea, let a fool but walk by the way, and his very motion and gesture shew what he is, and proclaim his want of

faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.

3. If the clouds be full of rain, &c.] In this verse, Solomon illustrates the duty of charity, and the reason for the timely exercise of it: the former by the clouds, which are a fit emblem of charity, in pouring down general plenty on the earth; the latter by the trees, which can bring forth fruit no longer than they continue joined to the earth by their roots, as man can no more be fruitful in good works, when he has ceased to live. Bp. Patrick.

Ecclesiastes 10:4

4. If the spirit of the ruler &c.] If thy prince be angry with thee, quit not the duty of a subject. Bp. Patrick.

5. He that observeth the wind shall not sow;] Let not every circumstance of vain fear discourage thee from doing good and distributing; he that is too curious in observing every wind that blows, will never find an opportunity of sowing. Bp. Hall.

Ecclesiastes 10:5

5. — an error which proceedeth from the ruler:] An error which proceeds from princes in the ill choice which they make of those whom they promote; for (ver. 6) “folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place;” that is, those who are truly able, both for their parts and their estates, and are well worthy of eminent places, are neglected and disregarded. Bp. Hall.

Ecclesiastes 10:6

6. In the morning sow thy seed, &c.] That is, take all proper occasions of exercising thy charity, as long as thou livest; for thou knowest not what occasion may suit to do the greatest good to others, and to bring the greatest blessing on thyself; and whether all occasions may prove equally beneficial. Dr. Wells.

Ecclesiastes 10:7

7. — servants upon horses.] In the East, to ride on a horse is deemed an honourable circumstance, and ideas of stateliness are always attached to it. The Turks at this day, when they ride on horseback, proceed in a very stately manner: it is contrary to their dignity to advance beyond a footpace, and they are attended by a number of servants. Harmer.

Ecclesiastes 10:8

8. — whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.] By this men are warned, that the overthrowing of an established government and settled laws is often fatal to those that attempt it. Other proverbs to the same effect are given at ver. 9. Dr. Wells.

Ecclesiastes 10:9

9. Rejoice, O young man, &c.] When thou art inclined, O young man, to rejoice in thy youth, &c. know, that is, remember, that for every sin committed “God will bring thee into judgment.”

Ecclesiastes 10:10

10. — but wisdom is profitable to direct.] Wisdom will still find out how to make it execute its office. Dr. Hodgson. Wisdom does, as it were, whet the edge of the axe, and direct men to do that with ease, which otherwise cannot be achieved without much labour. Bp. Hall.

Ecclesiastes 10:11

11. Surely the serpent &c.] Surely the serpent will bite, if it be not hindered by enchantments: and a babbler, or one that secretly traduces his governours, and irritates the people against them, is no better; for he injures thereby his governours as much as the serpent does one whom he bites. Dr. Wells.

Observations of riot, slothfulness, &c. ECCLESIASTES. Directions for charity. Before CHRIST about 977. mouth. d Prov. 15. 2. multiplicth words. e Chap. 3. 22. & 6. 12. f Isa. 3. 4, 5. g Ps. 104. 15. maketh glad the life. h Exod. 22. 28. · conscience. mouth are † gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

Ecclesiastes 10:12

12. — the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.] The words of a fool will be the occasion of his own undoing. Bp. Hall.

Ecclesiastes 10:15

15. — because he knoweth not how to go to the city.] Because out of simplicity he wanders about over untracked ways, and does not so much as know the beaten road to the city. Bp. Hall.

Ecclesiastes 10:16

16. — thy princes eat in the morning. ] That is, spend in riot and revelling that portion of their time which ought to be set apart for the administration of justice. Bp. Hall.

Ecclesiastes 10:18

18. By much slothfulness the building decayeth;] In like manner a whole kingdom is ruined by the sloth and inattention of those who have the government of it. Dr. Wells.

Ecclesiastes 10:19

19. A feast is made &c.] There are proper times for the feasting and mirth of kings, and those who have the ease of the government; but then care must be taken that too much money be not spent on such occasions, so as not to leave enough for the publick supplies of the kingdom. Dr. Wells. Chap. XI. ver. 1. Cast thy bread &c.] Bestow thy beneficence on those from whom there is no probability of a return of kindness; for He that seeth in secret will, when thou hast forgotten it, restore it unto thee with a happy increase. Bp. Hall. CAST thy bread † upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after a many days.