Ecclesiastes 9

10. Whatsoever--namely, in the service of God. This and last verse plainly are the language of Solomon, not of a skeptic, as HOLDEN would explain it.
hand, &c.--( Leviticus 12:8 , Margin; 1 Samuel 10:7 , Margin).
thy might--diligence ( Deuteronomy 6:5 ; Jeremiah 48:10 , Margin).
no work . . . in the grave--( John 9:4 , Revelation 14:13 ). "The soul's play-day is Satan's work-day; the idler the man the busier the tempter" [SOUTH].

11. This verse qualifies the sentiment, Ecclesiastes 9:7-9 . Earthly "enjoyments," however lawful in their place ( Ecclesiastes 3:1 ), are to give way when any work to be done for God requires it. Reverting to the sentiment ( Ecclesiastes 8:17 ), we ought, therefore, not only to work God's work "with might" ( Ecclesiastes 9:10 ), but also with the feeling that the event is wholly "in God's hand" ( Ecclesiastes 9:1 ).
race . . . not to the swift--( 2 Samuel 18:23 ); spiritually ( Zephaniah 3:19 , Romans 9:16 ).
nor . . . battle to . . . strong--( 1 Samuel 17:47 , 2 Chronicles 14:9 2 Chronicles 14:11 2 Chronicles 14:15 , Psalms 33:16 ).
bread--livelihood.
favour--of the great.
chance--seemingly, really Providence. But as man cannot "find it out" ( Ecclesiastes 3:11 ), he needs "with all might" to use opportunities. Duties are ours; events, God's.

12. his time--namely, of death ( Ecclesiastes 7:15 , Isaiah 13:22 ). Hence the danger of delay in doing the work of God, as one knows not when his opportunity will end ( Ecclesiastes 9:10 ).
evil net--fatal to them. The unexpected suddenness of the capture is the point of comparison. So the second coming of Jesus Christ, "as a snare" ( Luke 21:35 ).
evil time--as an "evil net," fatal to them.

13. Rather, "I have seen wisdom of this kind also," that is, exhibited in the way which is described in what follows [MAURER].

14, 15. ( 2 Samuel 20:16-22 ).
bulwarks--military works of besiegers.

15. poor--as to the temporal advantages of true wisdom, though it often saves others. It receives little reward from the world, which admires none save the rich and great.
no man remembered--( Genesis 40:23 ).

16. Resuming the sentiment ( Ecclesiastes 7:19 , Proverbs 21:22 , 24:5 ).
poor man's wisdom is despised--not the poor man mentioned in Ecclesiastes 9:15 ; for his wisdom could not have saved the city, had "his words not been heard"; but poor men in general. So Paul ( Acts 27:11 ).

17. The words of wise, &c.--Though generally the poor wise man is not heard ( Ecclesiastes 9:16 ), yet "the words of wise men, when heard in quiet (when calmly given heed to, as in Ecclesiastes 9:15 ), are more serviceable than," &c.
ruleth--as the "great king" ( Ecclesiastes 9:14 ). Solomon reverts to "the rulers to their own hurt" ( Ecclesiastes 8:9 ).

18. one sinner, &c.--( Joshua 7:1 Joshua 7:11 Joshua 7:12 ). Though wisdom excels folly ( Ecclesiastes 9:16 , Ecclesiastes 7:19 ), yet a "little folly (equivalent to sin) can destroy much good," both in himself ( Ecclesiastes 10:1 , 2:10 ) and in others. "Wisdom" must, from the antithesis to "sinner," mean religion. Thus typically, the "little city" may be applied to the Church ( Luke 12:32 , Hebrews 12:22 ); the great king to Satan ( John 12:31 ); the despised poor wise man, Jesus Christ ( Isaiah 53:2 Isaiah 53:3 , 6:3 , 2 Corinthians 8:9 , Ephesians 1:7 Ephesians 1:8 , Colossians 2:3 ).