9 All this have I seen, H7200 and applied H5414 my heart H3820 unto every work H4639 that is done H6213 under the sun: H8121 there is a time H6256 wherein one man H120 ruleth H7980 over another to his own hurt. H7451
10 And so H3651 I saw H7200 the wicked H7563 buried, H6912 who had come H935 and gone H1980 from the place H4725 of the holy, H6918 and they were forgotten H7911 in the city H5892 where they had so done: H6213 this is also vanity. H1892
11 Because sentence H6599 against an evil H7451 work H4639 is not executed H6213 speedily, H4120 therefore the heart H3820 of the sons H1121 of men H120 is fully set H4390 in them to do H6213 evil. H7451
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.