Ecclesiastes 8:2-14

Watch out for power

2 Keep the king's command as you would keep a solemn pledge.

3 Don't be dismayed; leave his presence. Don't linger in a harmful situation because he can do whatever he wants!

4 Because the king's word has authority, no one can say to him, "What are you doing?"

5 Whoever keeps a command will meet no harm, and the wise heart knows the right time and the right way

6 because there's a right time and right way for every matter. But human misfortunes are overwhelming

7 because no one knows what will happen, and no one can say when something might happen.

8 No one has control over the life-breath, to retain it, and there's no control over the day of death. There's no release from war, and wickedness won't deliver those who practice it.

9 I observed all of this as I paid attention to all that happens under the sun. Sometimes people exercise power over each other to their detriment.

10 Then I saw the wicked brought to their graves, with people processing from a holy place, while those who had lived honestly were neglected in the city. This too is pointless.

11 The condemnation for wicked acts isn't carried out quickly; that's why people dare to do evil.

12 Wrongdoers may commit a hundred crimes but still live long lives. But I also know that it will go well for those who fear God, for those who are reverent before God.

13 But it will not go well for the wicked; they won't live long at all because they aren't reverent before God.

14 Here's another thing that happens on earth that is pointless: the righteous get what the wicked deserve, and the wicked get what the righteous deserve. I say that this too is pointless.

Ecclesiastes 8:2-14 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Correction; Heb I (say?) keep
• [b]. Or wind
• [c]. Or temple