Ecclesiastes 7
DOYLYEcclesiastes 7:2
- All things come alike to all.] There is no certain and constant distinction made between one man and another, in the distribution of things in this world; but they all fare alike in public calamities especially. Bp. Patrick.
— and he that sweareth.] The character of “him that sweareth” is here mentioned as blainable; but Solomon does not mean to disapprove the taking of an oath on any occasion whatever; but only to commend the fearing or avoiding of any oath, whenever it can be avoided, consistently with other obligations. Abp. Secker.
Ecclesiastes 7:3
- This is an evil &c.] There is this evil in all which is done under the sun, that “there is one event” unto
A necessity of death unto men. God’s providence ruleth over all. Before CHRIST about 977.
Ecclesiastes 7:4
- For to him that is joined &c.] If we compare the state of the living and the dead, with respect to the present world, that of the living is the best; for, while we here live, we may still be in hope, either of amending or of receiving further graces and blessings, both of which are cut off from the dead: and, according to a common proverb, the most vile and contemptible animal, as a dog, that is alive, is better than the most generous of all beasts, the hon. when dead. Bp. Holl.
Ecclesiastes 7:5
- — but the dead know not any thing.] When men are gone from this world, they become perfect strangers to all things here, and can no longer enjoy any benefit of their labour, the fruit of which falls into the hands of other men, who think not what is become of them.
Bp. Patrick.
— neither have they any more a reward;] It is not meant that there is no reward after death for the righteous in heaven; but that, after death, there will be no enjoyment of any worldly felicity, as he himself explains in the next verse. Collyer.
Ecclesiastes 7:6
6.—as the crackling of thorns under a pot.] Like a blaze, noisy but soon spent. In the East they commonly use the dung of animals for fuel, which burns very slow: the burning of thorns and furze affords a striking contrast to this, and it is probably this contrast which gives energy to the comparison. Harmer.
Ecclesiastes 7:7
7.—a gift destroyeth the heart.] A bribe destroys, or tends to corrupt the heart. Dr. Wells.
- Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy.] Therefore, shaking off all anxious cares and perplexing thoughts about God’s providence, excite thyself, by the remembrance of death, to a cheerful enjoyment of those good things present which thou possessest; believing, that if thou hast approved thyself to God in the rest of thy works, it is acceptable to Him that thou shouldest thus rejoice in those gifts which his benevolence has afforded thee. Bp. Patrick. Solomon’s design is, that we should improve the advantages of life, and make a wise use of what we have in possession; but we must beware of abusing this notion, and imagining ourselves to be at full liberty to indulge in worldly joys and pleasures, and to say with the ungodly, “Let us eat and drink, for to morrow we die.” Osterwald.
Ecclesiastes 7:8
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Better is the end of a thing] Better is it, toward the right conduct of life, to consider what will be the end of a thing, than what is the beginning of it; for what promises fair at first, may prove ill, and what seems at first a disadvantage, may prove very advantageous. Dr. Wells.
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Let thy garments be always white;] In opposition to the habit of mourners. The meaning is, Live not sordidly and sadly, but entertain thyself at all seasonable times. Bp. Patrick.
Ecclesiastes 7:10
- Say not thou, What is the cause &c.] Be not discontented and complaining at the present condition of things, so as to murmur at the providence of God; for this would be foolish and unjust: rather, in a humble thankfulness and submission, make use of the present. Bp. Hall.
10.—who had come and gone from the place of the holy.] Who had been honoured as gods while they were living, because they were God’s ministers, and sat in the judgment-seat, in that very place where He Himself is present. Bp. Patrick.
- Whatsoever thy hand &c.] That is, the work that is before thee, which is most proper for thee to propose to thyself, as the great end and design of thy life, the province and charge appointed to thee. “Do it with thy might;” that is, set about it with great care, use all possible diligence and industry for effecting and accomplishing it. He enforces his precept by the consideration that this life is the proper season of activity and industry, of designing and doing those things which tend to our future happiness; and, when this life is ended, there will be no further opportunity of working, and nothing will remain but to receive the recompense of that which we have before done. Abp. Tillotson.
Ecclesiastes 7:11
- Because sentence against an evil work &c.] Because the punishment does not immediately follow the offence.
— therefore the heart—is fully set in them] In the original, “their heart has filled them,” they are presumptuous, to do evil. Dr. S. Clarke.
- I returned, and saw under the sun, &c.] I saw and observed that here on earth all things do not fall out according to the probability of second causes, but by the appointments of an over-ruling Providence: the swiftest does not always win the race, nor the strong prevail in battle, &c. but every one in his time hath a several issue, according to the determination of the Almighty, beyond or contrary to his own hopes. Bp. Holl.
— neither yet bread to the wise.] Meaning, that the most learned and able men are not always secured against poverty and want. Abp. Tillotson.
— but time and chance happeneth to them all.] That is, There is a secret providence of God, which sometimes presents men with unexpected opportunities, and interposes accidents which no human wisdom can foresee; which grants success to very improbable means; and defeats the swift, the strong, the learned, the industrious, and those who are best versed in men and business, of their several ends and designs. Abp. Tillotson.
Before CHRIST about 977. c Prov. 29. 6.
Ecclesiastes 7:13
- Consider the work of God: &c.] Complain not of times and events; but consider well the wise, just, and powerful proceedings of God: for when He has thought good, for the punishment of men’s sins, to give them up to disorder, it is not in the power of human means to rectify them. Bp. Hall.
Ecclesiastes 7:14
- In the day of prosperity &c.] In the day of prosperity rejoice: yet have an eye towards the day of adversity; for the Lord hath placed the one near unto the other, “that man should find nothing after him,” that is, that he should be uncertain what next may befall him. Dr. Hodgson.
Ecclesiastes 7:15
15.—there is a just man that perisheth] There is an innocent and just man that miscarries, notwithstanding his righteousness, through the cruelty and injustice of others. Bp. Hall.
- Then I commended mirth. &c.] Then I resolved that it is good for man to be cheerful in his calling, and in the good and holy use of God’s blessings. Bp. Hull. We must well remember, that when he in this manner “commends mirth,” he speaks of reasonable pleasures, which proceed from a moderate and lawful use of the good things which God has given us, which have nothing in them irregular and contrary to piety. Ostervald.
Ecclesiastes 7:16
- Be not righteous over much; &c.] Perhaps the meaning may be, Do not exercise justice with too much rigour. Dr. Waterland. These expressions must by no means be understood as a caution against being too wise or too good, since no man can possibly be wise or good enough, or can use sufficient endeavours to become so. But Solomon speaks these words against those, who, when insisting on their own right, or passing judgment on others, proceed with the utmost rigour and severity, not observing the rules of moderation and equity, and are so presumptuous as busily to intermeddle with what does not concern them. Ostervald
Ecclesiastes 7:17
- Be not over much wicked.] Let not impunity tempt any man to grow enormously wicked, and foolish in following the lewdest opinions; for this may awaken publick justice, or the Divine vengeance, so as to cut him off before he come to the natural term of life. Bp. Patrick. 18.—he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.] The Greek translators render it, “To him that feareth God, all things shall succeed.” Dr. Wall. O 2
The divine providence is to be observed. CHAP. VIII, IX. Like things happen to good and bad.
Before CHRIST about 977.
done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.
17.—that a man cannot find out &c.] For there is little or nothing that any man can know of the secrets of God’s counsels, or any of his works; which are inscrutable to us, whatever pains we take: nay, though
the wisest man in the world make it his constant business, he will still be forced to confess his ignorance; and the height of his knowledge will be to know, that God’s ways are past finding out. Bp. Patrick.
Chap. IX. ver. 1.—no man knoweth either love or hatred] No man knows or can know the love or hatred of God towards particular individuals, “by all that is before them;” that is, by all that befalls them visibly. Dr. Wells.