15 Then I commended H7623 mirth, H8057 because a man H120 hath no better thing H2896 under the sun, H8121 than to eat, H398 and to drink, H8354 and to be merry: H8055 for that shall abide H3867 with him of his labour H5999 the days H3117 of his life, H2416 which God H430 giveth H5414 him under the sun. H8121
16 When I applied H5414 mine heart H3820 to know H3045 wisdom, H2451 and to see H7200 the business H6045 that is done H6213 upon the earth: H776 (for also there is that neither day H3117 nor night H3915 seeth H7200 sleep H8142 with his eyes:) H5869
17 Then I beheld H7200 all the work H4639 of God, H430 that a man H120 cannot H3201 find out H4672 the work H4639 that is done H6213 under the sun: H8121 because H834 though H7945 a man H120 labour H5998 to seek it out, H1245 yet he shall not find H4672 it; yea further; though a wise H2450 man think H559 to know H3045 it, yet shall he not be able H3201 to find H4672 it.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Ecclesiastes 8
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 8 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 8
Solomon, in this chapter, comes to recommend wisdom to us as the most powerful antidote against both the temptations and vexations that arise from the vanity of the world. Here is,
Ecc 8:1-5
Here is,
Ecc 8:6-8
Solomon had said (v. 5) that a wise man's heart discerns time and judgment, that is, a man's wisdom will go a great way, by the blessing of God, in moral prognostications; but here he shows that few have that wisdom, and that even the wisest may yet be surprised by a calamity which they had not any foresight of, and therefore it is our wisdom to expect and prepare for sudden changes. Observe,
Ecc 8:9-13
Solomon, in the beginning of the chapter, had warned us against having any thing to do with seditious subjects; here, in these verses, he encourages us, in reference to the mischief of tyrannical and oppressive rulers, such as he had complained of before, ch. 3:16; 4:1.
Ecc 8:14-17
Wise and good men have, of old, been perplexed with this difficulty, how the prosperity of the wicked and the troubles of the righteous can be reconciled with the holiness and goodness of the God that governs the world. Concerning this Solomon here gives us his advice.