20 Curse H7043 not the king, H4428 no not in thy thought; H4093 and curse H7043 not the rich H6223 in thy bedchamber: H2315 H4904 for a bird H5775 of the air H8064 shall carry H3212 the voice, H6963 and that which hath H1167 wings H3671 shall tell H5046 the matter. H1697
Thou shalt not revile H7043 the gods, H430 nor curse H779 the ruler H5387 of thy people. H5971
Then G5037 said G5346 Paul, G3972 I wist G1492 not, G3756 brethren, G80 that G3754 he was G2076 the high priest: G749 for G1063 it is written, G1125 Thou shalt G2046 not G3756 speak G2046 evil G2560 of the ruler G758 of thy G4675 people. G2992
Also take H5414 no heed H3820 unto all words H1697 that are spoken; H1696 lest thou hear H8085 thy servant H5650 curse H7043 thee: For oftentimes H6471 H7227 also thine own heart H3820 knoweth H3045 that thou thyself likewise hast cursed H7043 others. H312
And they shall pass H5674 through it, hardly bestead H7185 and hungry: H7457 and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, H7456 they shall fret H7107 themselves, and curse H7043 their king H4428 and their God, H430 and look H6437 upward. H4605
But G1161 Martha G3136 was cumbered G4049 about G4012 much G4183 serving, G1248 and G1161 came to him, G2186 and said, G2036 Lord, G2962 dost G3199 thou G4671 not G3756 care G3199 that G3754 my G3450 sister G79 hath left G2641 me G3165 to serve G1247 alone? G3441 bid G2036 her G846 therefore G3767 that G2443 she help G4878 me. G3427
For G1161 there is G2076 nothing G3762 covered, G4780 that G3739 shall G601 not G3756 be revealed; G601 neither G2532 hid, G2927 that G3739 shall G1097 not G3756 be known. G1097 Therefore G473 G3739 whatsoever G3745 ye have spoken G2036 in G1722 darkness G4653 shall be heard G191 in G1722 the light; G5457 and G2532 that which G3739 ye have spoken G2980 in G4314 the ear G3775 in G1722 closets G5009 shall be proclaimed G2784 upon G1909 the housetops. G1430
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Ecclesiastes 10
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 10 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 10
This chapter seems to be like Solomon's proverbs, a collection of wise sayings and observations, rather than a part of his sermon; but the preacher studied to be sententious, and "set in order many proverbs,' to be brought in in his preaching. Yet the general scope of all the observations in this chapter is to recommend wisdom to us, and its precepts and rules, as of great use for the right ordering of our conversation and to caution us against folly.
Happy the nation when princes and people make conscience of their duty according to these rules.
Ecc 10:1-3
In these verses Solomon shows,
Ecc 10:4-11
The scope of these verses is to keep subjects loyal and dutiful to the government. In Solomon's reign the people were very rich, and lived in prosperity, which perhaps made them proud and petulant, and when the taxes were high, though they had enough to pay them with, it is probable that many conducted themselves insolently towards the government and threatened to rebel. To such Solomon here gives some necessary cautions.
Ecc 10:12-15
Solomon, having shown the benefit of wisdom, and of what great advantage it is to us in the management of our affairs, here shows the mischief of folly and how it exposes men, which perhaps comes in as a reflection upon those rulers who set folly in great dignity.
Ecc 10:16-20
Solomon here observes,