1 Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.

2 I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.

3 Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.

4 Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?

5 Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment.

6 Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.

7 For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?

8 There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.

9 All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.

10 And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity.

11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

12 Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:

13 But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.

14 There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.

15 Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.

16 When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:)

17 Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea farther; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.

Commentary

Verse 1

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Commendations of wisdom.
None 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 dispensations? What madness must it be for weak and dependent creatures to rebel against the Almighty! What numbers form wrong judgments, and bring misery on themselves, in this life and that to come!
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Who is wise - There are few wise men in this world. Who knoweth - How few understand the reasons of things and can rightly expound the word and works of God. Wisdom - Makes a man venerable, chearful, mild, and amiable. The face is put for the mind, because the mind discovers itself in the countenance. Boldness - The roughness or fierceness. Changed - Into gentleness and humility.
Bible Cross References
Romans 13:5 Exodus 34:29 Exodus 34:30 Deuteronomy 28:50 Proverbs 21:29

Verse 2

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Commendations of wisdom.
None 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 dispensations? What madness must it be for weak and dependent creatures to rebel against the Almighty! What numbers form wrong judgments, and bring misery on themselves, in this life and that to come!
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
The oath - Because of that oath which thou hast taken to keep all God's laws, whereof this of obedience to superiors is one.
McArther Bible Commentary
your oath to God. This refers to Israel's promises to serve King Solomon (1Ch 29:24).
Bible Cross References
Exodus 22:11 2 Samuel 21:7 Ezekiel 17:18

Verse 3

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Commendations of wisdom.
None 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 dispensations? What madness must it be for weak and dependent creatures to rebel against the Almighty! What numbers form wrong judgments, and bring misery on themselves, in this life and that to come!
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
To go - In discontent, withdrawing thyself from the king's service or obedience. Stand not - if thou hast offended him, persist not in it. For - His power is uncontrollable.
Bible Cross References
Genesis 47:9 Ecclesiastes 10:4

Verse 4

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Commendations of wisdom.
None 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 dispensations? What madness must it be for weak and dependent creatures to rebel against the Almighty! What numbers form wrong judgments, and bring misery on themselves, in this life and that to come!
Bible Cross References
Job 9:12 Daniel 4:35

Verse 5

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Commendations of wisdom.
None 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 dispensations? What madness must it be for weak and dependent creatures to rebel against the Almighty! What numbers form wrong judgments, and bring misery on themselves, in this life and that to come!
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
The commandment - Solomon passes to a new subject. Shall feel - Shall be delivered from those mischiefs which befal the disobedient. Discerneth - Both when, and in what manner he must keep the commands of God.
McArther Bible Commentary
time and judgment. Solomon returns to the message of Ecc 3:19 regarding a time for judgment. Knowing that God has appointed a time for judgment gives day-to-day living a clear purpose.
Bible Cross References
Proverbs 12:21 Ecclesiastes 12:13

Verse 6

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
To prepare for sudden evils and death.
God has, in wisdom, kept away from us the knowledge of future events, that we may be always ready for changes. We must all die, no flight or hiding-place can save us, nor are there any weapons of effectual resistance. Ninety thousand die every day, upwards of sixty every minute, and one every moment. How solemn the thought! Oh that men were wise, that they understood these things, that they would consider their latter end! The believer alone is prepared to meet the solemn summons. Wickedness, by which men often escape human justice, cannot secure from death.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Because - There is a fit way and season for the accomplishment of every business, which is known to God, but for the most part hidden from man. Therefore - Because there are few who have wisdom to discern this, most men expose themselves to manifold miseries.
Bible Cross References
Ecclesiastes 3:1 Ecclesiastes 3:17

Verse 7

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
To prepare for sudden evils and death.
God has, in wisdom, kept away from us the knowledge of future events, that we may be always ready for changes. We must all die, no flight or hiding-place can save us, nor are there any weapons of effectual resistance. Ninety thousand die every day, upwards of sixty every minute, and one every moment. How solemn the thought! Oh that men were wise, that they understood these things, that they would consider their latter end! The believer alone is prepared to meet the solemn summons. Wickedness, by which men often escape human justice, cannot secure from death.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
For - Men are generally ignorant of future events, and therefore their minds are disquieted.
McArther Bible Commentary
what … when. God has appointed a time for everything, but man knows neither the time nor the outcome. These uncertainties can increase his misery.
Bible Cross References
Ecclesiastes 3:22 Ecclesiastes 6:12 Ecclesiastes 7:14 Ecclesiastes 9:12 Ecclesiastes 10:14

Verse 8

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
To prepare for sudden evils and death.
God has, in wisdom, kept away from us the knowledge of future events, that we may be always ready for changes. We must all die, no flight or hiding-place can save us, nor are there any weapons of effectual resistance. Ninety thousand die every day, upwards of sixty every minute, and one every moment. How solemn the thought! Oh that men were wise, that they understood these things, that they would consider their latter end! The believer alone is prepared to meet the solemn summons. Wickedness, by which men often escape human justice, cannot secure from death.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
To retain - To keep it in the body. This is added as another evidence of man's misery. No discharge - In that fatal conflict between life and death, when a man is struggling with death, though to no purpose, for death will be always conqueror. Neither - And although wicked men, who most fear death, use all possible means, to free themselves from it, yet they shall not escape it. The most subtle wickedness cannot outwit death, nor the most daring wickedness out - brave it.
McArther Bible Commentary
spirit. Wind may be the better translation for the word spirit. Death is as precarious and uncontrollable as the wind. See note on Ecc 1:14.
Bible Cross References
Psalm 49:7 Ecclesiastes 8:13

Verse 9

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
It shall be well with the righteous, and ill with the wicked.
Solomon observed, that many a time one man rules over another to his hurt, and that prosperity hardens them in their wickedness. Sinners herein deceive themselves. Vengeance comes slowly, but it comes surely. A good man's days have some substance; he lives to a good purpose: a wicked man's days are all as a shadow, empty and worthless. Let us pray that we may view eternal things as near, real, and all-important.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
To his hurt - There are some kings, who use their power tyrannically, whereby they not only oppress their people, but hurt themselves, bringing the vengeance of God upon their own heads.
Bible Cross References
Ecclesiastes 3:16 Ecclesiastes 4:1 Ecclesiastes 5:8 Ecclesiastes 7:7

Verse 10

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
It shall be well with the righteous, and ill with the wicked.
Solomon observed, that many a time one man rules over another to his hurt, and that prosperity hardens them in their wickedness. Sinners herein deceive themselves. Vengeance comes slowly, but it comes surely. A good man's days have some substance; he lives to a good purpose: a wicked man's days are all as a shadow, empty and worthless. Let us pray that we may view eternal things as near, real, and all-important.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
And so - In like manner. The wicked - Wicked princes or rulers. Buried - With state and pomp. Who - Had administered publick justice, which is frequently signified by the phrase of coming in and going out before the people. The holy - The throne or tribunal seems to be so called here, to aggravate their wickedness, who being advanced by God into so high and sacred a place, betrayed so great a trust. Where - They lived in great splendor, and were buried with great magnificence. This - That men should so earnestly thirst after glory, which is so soon extinct.
McArther Bible Commentary
the place of holiness. This refers to the temple at Jerusalem (cf. Ecc 5:1). vanity. Lessons that should be gained from the death of the hypocritically wicked are quickly forgotten.
Bible Cross References
Proverbs 10:7 Ecclesiastes 1:11 Ecclesiastes 2:16 Ecclesiastes 9:5 Ecclesiastes 9:15

Verse 11

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
It shall be well with the righteous, and ill with the wicked.
Solomon observed, that many a time one man rules over another to his hurt, and that prosperity hardens them in their wickedness. Sinners herein deceive themselves. Vengeance comes slowly, but it comes surely. A good man's days have some substance; he lives to a good purpose: a wicked man's days are all as a shadow, empty and worthless. Let us pray that we may view eternal things as near, real, and all-important.
EGW SDA Bible Commentary
God's Long-suffering Leads Some to Carelessness
—In His dealings with the human race, God bears long with the impenitent. He uses His appointed agencies to call men to allegiance, and offers them His full pardon if they will repent. But because God is long-suffering, men presume on His mercy. “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” The patience and long-suffering of God, which should soften and subdue the soul, has an altogether different influence upon the careless and sinful. It leads them to cast off restraint, and strengthens them in resistance. They think that the God who has borne so much from them will not heed their perversity. If we lived in a dispensation of immediate retribution, offenses against God would not occur so often. But though delayed, the punishment is none the less certain. There are limits even to the forbearance of God. The boundary of His long-suffering may be reached, and then He will surely punish. And when He does take up the case of the presumptuous sinner, He will not cease till He has made a full end.Very few realize the sinfulness of sin; they flatter themselves that God is too good to punish the offender. But the cases of Miriam, Aaron, David, and many others show that it is not a safe thing to sin against God in deed, in word, or even in thought. God is a being of infinite love and compassion, but He also declares Himself to be a “consuming fire, even a jealous God” (The Review and Herald, August 14, 1900).(Matthew 26:36-46; Revelation 15:3.) Every Offense Set Down for Reckoning—The death of Christ was to be the convincing, everlasting argument that the law of God is as unchangeable as His throne. The agonies of the Garden of Gethsemane, the insult, the mockery, and abuse heaped upon God's dear Son, the horrors and ignominy of the crucifixion, furnish sufficient and thrilling demonstration that God's justice, when it punishes, does the work thoroughly. The fact that His own Son, the Surety for man, was not spared, is an argument that will stand to all eternity before saint and sinner, before the universe of God, to testify that He will not excuse the transgressor of His law. Every offense against God's law, however minute, is set down in the reckoning, and when the sword of justice is taken in hand, it will do the work for impenitent transgressors that was done to the divine Sufferer. Justice will strike; for God's hatred of sin is intense and overwhelming (Manuscript 58, 1897).
EGW SDA Bible Commentary
. See EGW on Genesis 15:16.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Therefore - God's forbearance makes them presumptuous and secure.
McArther Bible Commentary
the sentence. The gracious delay of God's retribution leads to further disobedience. This delay, in actuality, in no way diminishes the certainty of final judgment.
Bible Cross References
Romans 2:4 2 Peter 3:9 Exodus 34:6 2 Samuel 11:15 Psalm 10:6 Psalm 50:21 Psalm 86:15 Ecclesiastes 9:3

Verse 12

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
It shall be well with the righteous, and ill with the wicked.
Solomon observed, that many a time one man rules over another to his hurt, and that prosperity hardens them in their wickedness. Sinners herein deceive themselves. Vengeance comes slowly, but it comes surely. A good man's days have some substance; he lives to a good purpose: a wicked man's days are all as a shadow, empty and worthless. Let us pray that we may view eternal things as near, real, and all-important.
EGW SDA Bible Commentary
. See EGW on Genesis 15:16.
McArther Bible Commentary
those who fear God … the wicked. There is no real advantage for the wicked, although at times it might seem so (cf. Ecc 5:7; Ecc 7:18; Ecc 12:13-14). Temporal patience does not eliminate eternal judgment.
Bible Cross References
Exodus 1:20 Deuteronomy 4:40 Deuteronomy 12:25 Deuteronomy 12:28 Psalm 37:11 Psalm 128:2 Proverbs 1:33 Ecclesiastes 3:14 Ecclesiastes 5:7 Ecclesiastes 7:15 Ecclesiastes 7:18 Ecclesiastes 12:13 Isaiah 3:10 Isaiah 65:20

Verse 13

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
It shall be well with the righteous, and ill with the wicked.
Solomon observed, that many a time one man rules over another to his hurt, and that prosperity hardens them in their wickedness. Sinners herein deceive themselves. Vengeance comes slowly, but it comes surely. A good man's days have some substance; he lives to a good purpose: a wicked man's days are all as a shadow, empty and worthless. Let us pray that we may view eternal things as near, real, and all-important.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
A shadow - His life, though it may seem long, yet in truth is but a shadow, which will quickly vanish and disappear.
Bible Cross References
Job 14:2 Ecclesiastes 3:14 Ecclesiastes 5:7 Ecclesiastes 6:12 Ecclesiastes 7:15 Ecclesiastes 7:18 Ecclesiastes 8:8 Isaiah 3:11 Isaiah 65:20

Verse 14

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Mysteries of Providence.
Faith alone can establish the heart in this mixed scene, where the righteous often suffer, and the wicked prosper. Solomon commended joy, and holy security of mind, arising from confidence in God, because a man has no better thing under the sun, though a good man has much better things above the sun, than soberly and thankfully to use the things of this life according to his rank. He would not have us try to give a reason for what God does. But, leaving the Lord to clear up all difficulties in his own time, we may cheerfully enjoy the comforts, and bear up under the trials of life; while peace of conscience and joy in the Holy Ghost will abide in us through all outward changes, and when flesh and heart shall fail.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Done - Either by wicked potentates, who do commonly advance unworthy men, and oppress persons of greatest virtue and merit: or, by God's providence, who sees it fit for many weighty reasons so to manage the affairs of the present world. To whom - Who meet with such usage as the worst of men deserve. It happeneth - Who, instead of those punishments which they deserve, receive those rewards which are due to virtuous men.
McArther Bible Commentary
vanity. Temporally speaking, God generally rewards obedience and punishes disobedience. Solomon regards the exceptions to this principle as vanity or enigmatic and discouraging (cf. Ps. 73).
Bible Cross References
Job 21:7 Psalm 73:3 Psalm 73:12 Psalm 73:14 Ecclesiastes 7:15 Jeremiah 12:1 Malachi 3:15

Verse 15

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Mysteries of Providence.
Faith alone can establish the heart in this mixed scene, where the righteous often suffer, and the wicked prosper. Solomon commended joy, and holy security of mind, arising from confidence in God, because a man has no better thing under the sun, though a good man has much better things above the sun, than soberly and thankfully to use the things of this life according to his rank. He would not have us try to give a reason for what God does. But, leaving the Lord to clear up all difficulties in his own time, we may cheerfully enjoy the comforts, and bear up under the trials of life; while peace of conscience and joy in the Holy Ghost will abide in us through all outward changes, and when flesh and heart shall fail.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
To be merry - This he speaks of sensual delights.
McArther Bible Commentary
enjoyment. In no way does Solomon commend unbridled, rampant indulgence in sin, which is implied in Christ's account of the man whose barns were full. That man may have justified his sin by quoting this passage (cf. Luk 12:19). His focus here is on the resolve to enjoy life in the face of the injustice which surrounded him (see Ecc 2:24).
Bible Cross References
Psalm 42:8 Ecclesiastes 2:1 Ecclesiastes 2:3 Ecclesiastes 2:24 Ecclesiastes 3:12 Ecclesiastes 3:13 Ecclesiastes 5:18 Ecclesiastes 9:7

Verse 16

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Mysteries of Providence.
Faith alone can establish the heart in this mixed scene, where the righteous often suffer, and the wicked prosper. Solomon commended joy, and holy security of mind, arising from confidence in God, because a man has no better thing under the sun, though a good man has much better things above the sun, than soberly and thankfully to use the things of this life according to his rank. He would not have us try to give a reason for what God does. But, leaving the Lord to clear up all difficulties in his own time, we may cheerfully enjoy the comforts, and bear up under the trials of life; while peace of conscience and joy in the Holy Ghost will abide in us through all outward changes, and when flesh and heart shall fail.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
To see - To observe mens various designs and employments, and their unwearied labours about worldly things. For there is - Having now mentioned the business which is done, or which man doth, upon earth, he further adds, as an evidence of man's eagerness in pursuing his business, for even by day and by night he (the busy man) seeth not sleep with his eyes. He grudges himself necessary refreshments, and disquiets himself with endless cares and labours.
McArther Bible Commentary
the work of God. God's work is wonderful, but at times incomprehensible.
Bible Cross References
Ecclesiastes 1:13 Ecclesiastes 1:14 Ecclesiastes 2:23

Verse 17

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Mysteries of Providence.
Faith alone can establish the heart in this mixed scene, where the righteous often suffer, and the wicked prosper. Solomon commended joy, and holy security of mind, arising from confidence in God, because a man has no better thing under the sun, though a good man has much better things above the sun, than soberly and thankfully to use the things of this life according to his rank. He would not have us try to give a reason for what God does. But, leaving the Lord to clear up all difficulties in his own time, we may cheerfully enjoy the comforts, and bear up under the trials of life; while peace of conscience and joy in the Holy Ghost will abide in us through all outward changes, and when flesh and heart shall fail.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
I beheld - I considered the counsels and ways of God, and the various methods of his providence, and the reasons of them. Find out - No man, though ever so wise, is able fully and perfectly to understand these things. And therefore it is best for man not to perplex himself with endless enquiries, but quietly to submit to God's will and providence, and to live in the fear of God, and the comfortable enjoyment of his blessing.
Bible Cross References
Romans 11:33 Psalm 73:16 Ecclesiastes 1:13 Ecclesiastes 3:11 Ecclesiastes 7:13 Ecclesiastes 7:23 Ecclesiastes 7:24 Ecclesiastes 11:5