Section 5. There is no use in repining or rebelling; true wisdom counsels obedience to the powers that be, and submission to the dispensations of Providence. However oppressive a tyrant may prove sure retribution awaits him.
Bible Commentary
Ecclesiastes 8:1-9
The Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 8:1-9
The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain
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Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 8:1-5Ecclesiastes 8:1-5 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryNone of the rich, the powerful, the honourable, or the accomplished of the sons of men, are so excellent, useful, or happy, as the wise man. Who else can interpret the words of God, or teach aright from his truths and d…The Excellence of Wisdom; The Duty of SubjectsEcclesiastes 8:1-5 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleTHE EXCELLENCE OF WISDOM; THE DUTY OF SUBJECTS. Here is, I. An encomium of wisdom (Ecclesiastes 8:1), that is, of true piety, guided in all its exercises by prudence and discretion. The wise man is the good man, that kn…The Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 8:1-17Ecclesiastes 8:1-17 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITIONThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 8:1Ecclesiastes 8:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryWho is as the wise man? i.e. Who is like, equal to, the wise man? The somewhat sudden question occurs naturally after the results of the search for wisdom mentioned at the end of the last chapter. The thought is not, as…
commentaryMatthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 8:1-5None of the rich, the powerful, the honourable, or the accomplished of the sons of men, are so excellent, useful, or happy, as the wise man. Who else can interpret the words of God, or teach aright from his truths and d…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Excellence of Wisdom; The Duty of SubjectsTHE EXCELLENCE OF WISDOM; THE DUTY OF SUBJECTS. Here is, I. An encomium of wisdom (Ecclesiastes 8:1), that is, of true piety, guided in all its exercises by prudence and discretion. The wise man is the good man, that kn…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 8:1-17EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 8:1Who is as the wise man? i.e. Who is like, equal to, the wise man? The somewhat sudden question occurs naturally after the results of the search for wisdom mentioned at the end of the last chapter. The thought is not, as…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 8:2I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment. The pronoun I stands in the Hebrew without a verb, and some take it as the answer to the question in Ecclesiastes 8:1, "Who is like the wise man?" I, who am now teaching yo…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 8:3Further advice concerning political behavior. Be not hasty to go out of his (the king's) sight. Do not, from some hasty impulse, or induced by harsh treatment, cast off your allegiance to your liege lord. We have the ph…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 8:4Where the word of a king is, there is power. A further confirmation of the last thought. More accurately, "Inasmuch as the word of a king is powerful" (shilton, Ecclesiastes 8:8). This last word is used in Daniel (Danie…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 8:5Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing. This is an encouragement to obedience to royal authority (comp. Proverbs 24:21, Proverbs 24:22; Romans 13:3). The context plainly shows that it is not God's comman…Joseph S. Exell and contributors