Ecclesiastes 8:3-13

3 Don't be too quick to leave the king. Don't support something that is wrong, because the king does whatever he pleases.

4 What the king says is law; no one tells him what to do.

5 Whoever obeys the king's command will be safe. A wise person does the right thing at the right time.

6 There is a right time and a right way for everything, yet people often have many troubles.

7 They do not know what the future holds, and no one can tell them what will happen.

8 No one can control the wind or stop his own death. No soldier is released in times of war, and evil does not set free those who do evil. Justice, Rewards, and Punishment

9 I saw all of this as I considered all that is done here on earth. Sometimes men harm those they control.

10 I saw the funerals of evil people who used to go in and out of the holy place. They were honored in the same towns where they had done evil. This is useless, too.

11 When evil people are not punished right away, it makes others want to do evil, too.

12 Though a sinner might do a hundred evil things and might live a long time, I know it will be better for those who honor God.

13 I also know it will not go well for evil people, because they do not honor God. Like a shadow, they will not last.

Ecclesiastes 8:3-13 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.