Ecclesiastes 8

Ecclesiastes 8:1-17 .

1. Praise of true wisdom continued ( Ecclesiastes 7:11 , &c.). "Who" is to be accounted "equal to the wise man? . . . Who (like him) knoweth the interpretation" of God's providences (for example, Ecclesiastes 7:8 Ecclesiastes 7:13 Ecclesiastes 7:14 ), and God's word (for example, Proverbs 1:6 )?
face to shine--( Ecclesiastes 7:14 , Acts 6:15 ). A sunny countenance, the reflection of a tranquil conscience and serene mind. Communion with God gives it ( Exodus 34:29 Exodus 34:30 ).
boldness--austerity.
changed--into a benign expression by true wisdom (religion) ( James 3:17 ). MAURER translates, "The shining (brightness) of his face is doubled," arguing that the Hebrew noun for "boldness" is never used in a bad sense ( Proverbs 4:18 ). Or as Margin, "strength" ( Ecclesiastes 7:19 , Isaiah 40:31 , 2 Corinthians 3:18 ). But the adjective is used in a bad sense ( Deuteronomy 28:50 ).

2. the king's--Jehovah, peculiarly the king of Israel in the theocracy; Ecclesiastes 8:3 Ecclesiastes 8:4 , prove it is not the earthly king who is meant.
the oath of God--the covenant which God made with Abraham and renewed with David; Solomon remembered Psalms 89:35 , "I have sworn," &c. ( Psalms 89:36 ), and the penalties if David's children should forsake it ( Psalms 89:30-32 ); inflicted on Solomon himself; yet God not "utterly" forsaking him ( Psalms 89:33 Psalms 89:34 ).

3. hasty--rather, "Be not terror-struck so as to go out of His sight." Slavishly "terror-struck" is characteristic of the sinner's feeling toward God; he vainly tries to flee out of His sight ( Psalms 139:7 ); opposed to the "shining face" of filial confidence ( Ecclesiastes 8:1 John 8:33-36 Romans 8:2 1 John 4:18 ).
stand not--persist not.
for he doeth--God inflicts what punishment He pleases on persisting sinners ( Job 23:13 , Psalms 115:3 ). True of none save God.

4. God's very "word" is "power." So the gospel word ( Romans 1:16 , Hebrews 4:12 ).
who may say, &c.--( Job 9:12 , 33:13 , Isaiah 45:9 , Daniel 4:35 ). Scripture does not ascribe such arbitrary power to earthly kings.

5. feel--experience.
time--the neglect of the right "times" causes much of the sinful folly of the spiritually unwise ( Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 ).
judgment--the right manner [HOLDEN]. But as God's future "judgment" is connected with the "time for every purpose" in Ecclesiastes 3:17 , so it is here. The punishment of persisting sinners ( Ecclesiastes 8:3 ) suggests it. The wise man realizes the fact, that as there is a fit "time" for every purpose, so for the "judgment." This thought cheers him in adversity ( Ecclesiastes 7:14 , 8:1 ).

6. therefore the misery, &c.--because the foolish sinner does not think of the right "times" and the "judgment."