Ecclesiastes 8:1-9

Keep the King's Command

1 Who is like the wise? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? 1A man's wisdom makes his face shine, and 2the hardness of his face is changed.
2 I say:[a] Keep the king's command, because of 3God's oath to him.[b]
3 Be not hasty to 4go from his presence. Do not take your stand in an evil cause, for he does whatever he pleases.
4 For the word of the king is supreme, and 5who may say to him, "What are you doing?"
5 Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way.
6 For there is a time and a way 6for everything, although man's trouble[c] lies heavy on him.
7 For he 7does not know what is to be, for 8who can tell him how it will be?
8 No man has power to 9retain the spirit, 10or power over the day of death. There is no 11discharge from war, nor will wickedness deliver those who are given to it.
9 12All this I observed while applying my heart to all that is done under the sun, when man had power over man to his hurt.

Ecclesiastes 8:1-9 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ECCLESIASTES 8

The preacher begins this chapter with the praise of wisdom, from its excellency and usefulness, Ec 8:1; and advises men, if they would live quietly and comfortably, to honour and obey the king that rules over them, and not be rebellious against him, since he has great power and authority, Ec 8:2-5; and not be anxious about things to come, since there is a set time for everything, and future things cannot be known nor frustrated; and, particularly, there is no avoiding the hour and stroke of death, Ec 8:6-8; Though there are times wherein wicked men rule over others, it is to their own hurt, and they must die; and though they may be pompously buried, yet are soon forgotten, Ec 8:9,10; and the reason of their insolence is the delay of justice; yet there will come a time when it shall be well with them that fear God, and ill with the wicked, though they may live long in wickedness; and for the present it may befall good then what wicked men deserve, and wicked men may have that which might, be thought more proper for good men, Ec 8:11-14; wherefore this should give no uneasiness; but men should cheerfully and freely enjoy what they have with thankfulness, there being nothing better than that under the sun, Ec 8:15; and the chapter is concluded with observing the unsearchableness of divine Providence, Ec 5:16,17.

Cross References 12

  • 1. Proverbs 4:8, 9; [Acts 6:15]
  • 2. Proverbs 21:29; [Deuteronomy 28:50]
  • 3. Exodus 22:11; 2 Samuel 21:7; 1 Kings 2:43; [2 Chronicles 36:13; Ezekiel 17:18]
  • 4. [Ecclesiastes 10:4]
  • 5. Daniel 4:35; See Job 9:12
  • 6. Ecclesiastes 3:1, 17
  • 7. [Proverbs 24:22]
  • 8. Ecclesiastes 3:22; Ecclesiastes 6:12; Ecclesiastes 9:12; Ecclesiastes 10:14
  • 9. [Job 14:5]
  • 10. [Ecclesiastes 3:19; Ecclesiastes 9:11]
  • 11. See Deuteronomy 20:5-8
  • 12. [Ecclesiastes 1:13]

Footnotes 3

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.