10 Whatsoever thy hand H3027 findeth H4672 to do, H6213 do H6213 it with thy might; H3581 for there is no work, H4639 nor device, H2808 nor knowledge, H1847 nor wisdom, H2451 in the grave, H7585 whither thou goest. H1980
And G2532 whatsoever G3956 G3748 G1437 ye do, G4160 do G2038 it heartily, G1537 G5590 as G5613 to the Lord, G2962 and G2532 not G3756 unto men; G444
For in death H4194 there is no remembrance H2143 of thee: in the grave H7585 who shall give thee thanks? H3034
Wherefore G1352 I will G272 not G3756 be negligent G272 to put G5279 you G5209 always G104 in remembrance G5279 of G4012 these things, G5130 though G2539 ye know G1492 them, and G2532 be established G4741 in G1722 the present G3918 truth. G225 Yea, G1161 I think it G2233 meet, G1342 as long as G1909 G3745 I am G1510 in G1722 this G5129 tabernacle, G4638 to stir G1326 you G5209 up G1326 by G1722 putting you in remembrance; G5280 Knowing G1492 that G3754 shortly G5031 I must G2076 put off G595 this my G3450 tabernacle, G4638 even G2532 as G2531 our G2257 Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 hath shewed G1213 me. G3427 Moreover G1161 G2532 I will endeavour G4704 that ye G5209 may be able G2192 after G3326 my G1699 decease G1841 to have G4160 these things G5130 always G1539 in remembrance. G3420
But G1161 by the grace G5485 of God G2316 I am G1510 what G3739 I am: G1510 and G2532 his G846 grace G5485 which was bestowed upon G1519 me G1691 was G1096 not G3756 in vain; G2756 but G235 I laboured G2872 more abundantly G4054 than they G846 all: G3956 yet G1161 not G3756 I, G1473 but G235 the grace G5485 of God G2316 which G3588 was with G4862 me. G1698
For G1063 I will G5111 not G3756 dare G5111 to speak G2980 of any G5100 of those things which G3739 Christ G5547 hath G2716 not G3756 wrought G2716 by G1223 me, G1700 to make G1519 the Gentiles G1484 obedient, G5218 by word G3056 and G2532 deed, G2041 Through G1722 mighty G1411 signs G4592 and G2532 wonders, G5059 by G1722 the power G1411 of the Spirit G4151 of God; G2316 so G5620 that from G575 Jerusalem, G2419 and G2532 round about G2945 unto G3360 Illyricum, G2437 I G3165 have fully preached G4137 the gospel G2098 of Christ. G5547 Yea, G1161 so G3779 have I strived G5389 to preach the gospel, G2097 not G3756 where G3699 Christ G5547 was named, G3687 lest G3363 I should build G3618 upon G1909 another man's G245 foundation: G2310
And G2532 now, G3568 behold, G2400 I G1473 know G1492 that G3754 ye G5210 all, G3956 among G1722 whom G3739 I have gone G1330 preaching G2784 the kingdom G932 of God, G2316 shall see G3700 my G3450 face G4383 no more. G3765 Wherefore G1352 I take G3143 you G5213 to record G3143 this G1722 G4594 day, G2250 that G3754 I G1473 am pure G2513 from G575 the blood G129 of all G3956 men. For G1063 I have G5288 not G3756 G3361 shunned G5288 to declare G312 unto you G5213 all G3956 the counsel G1012 of God. G2316 Take heed G4337 therefore G3767 unto yourselves, G1438 and G2532 to all G3956 the flock, G4168 over G1722 the which G3739 the Holy G40 Ghost G4151 hath made G5087 you G5209 overseers, G1985 to feed G4165 the church G1577 of God, G2316 which G3739 he hath purchased G4046 with G1223 his own G2398 blood. G129 For G1063 I G1473 know G1492 this, G5124 that G3754 after G3326 my G3450 departing G867 shall grievous G926 wolves G3074 enter in G1525 among G1519 you, G5209 not G3361 sparing G5339 the flock. G4168 Also G2532 of G1537 your G5216 own selves G846 shall G450 men G435 arise, G450 speaking G2980 perverse things, G1294 to draw away G645 disciples G3101 after G3694 them. G846 Therefore G1352 watch, G1127 and remember, G3421 that G3754 by the space of three years G5148 I ceased G3973 not G3756 to warn G3560 every G1538 one G1520 night G3571 and G2532 day G2250 with G3326 tears. G1144
Jesus G2424 saith G3004 unto them, G846 My G1699 meat G1033 is G2076 to G2443 do G4160 the will G2307 of him that sent G3992 me, G3165 and G2532 to finish G5048 his G846 work. G2041
For the grave H7585 cannot praise H3034 thee, death H4194 can not celebrate H1984 thee: they that go down H3381 into the pit H953 cannot hope H7663 for thy truth. H571 The living, H2416 the living, H2416 he shall praise H3034 thee, as I do this day: H3117 the father H1 to the children H1121 shall make known H3045 thy truth. H571
In the morning H1242 sow H2232 thy seed, H2233 and in the evening H6153 withhold H3240 not thine hand: H3027 for thou knowest H3045 not whether H335 shall prosper, H3787 either this or that, or whether they both H8147 shall be alike H259 good. H2896
For the living H2416 know H3045 that they shall die: H4191 but the dead H4191 know H3045 not any thing, H3972 neither have they any more a reward; H7939 for the memory H2143 of them is forgotten. H7911 Also their love, H160 and their hatred, H8135 and their envy, H7068 is now H3528 perished; H6 neither have they any more a portion H2506 for ever H5769 in any thing that is done H6213 under the sun. H8121
Wilt thou shew H6213 wonders H6382 to the dead? H4191 shall the dead H7496 arise H6965 and praise H3034 thee? Selah. H5542 Shall thy lovingkindness H2617 be declared H5608 in the grave? H6913 or thy faithfulness H530 in destruction? H11 Shall thy wonders H6382 be known H3045 in the dark? H2822 and thy righteousness H6666 in the land H776 of forgetfulness? H5388
My mouth H6310 shall shew forth H5608 thy righteousness H6666 and thy salvation H8668 all the day; H3117 for I know H3045 not the numbers H5615 thereof. I will go in H935 the strength H1369 of the Lord H136 GOD: H3069 I will make mention H2142 of thy righteousness, H6666 even of thine only. O God, H430 thou hast taught H3925 me from my youth: H5271 and hitherto have I declared H5046 thy wondrous works. H6381 Now also when H5704 I am old H2209 and grayheaded, H7872 O God, H430 forsake H5800 me not; until I have shewed H5046 thy strength H2220 unto this generation, H1755 and thy power H1369 to every one that is to come. H935
For there is H3426 hope H8615 of a tree, H6086 if it be cut down, H3772 that it will sprout again, H2498 and that the tender branch H3127 thereof will not cease. H2308 Though the root H8328 thereof wax old H2204 in the earth, H776 and the stock H1503 thereof die H4191 in the ground; H6083 Yet through the scent H7381 of water H4325 it will bud, H6524 and bring forth H6213 boughs H7105 like a plant. H5194 But man H1397 dieth, H4191 and wasteth away: H2522 yea, man H120 giveth up the ghost, H1478 and where is he? As the waters H4325 fail H235 from the sea, H3220 and the flood H5104 decayeth H2717 and drieth up: H3001 So man H376 lieth down, H7901 and riseth H6965 not: till the heavens H8064 be no more, H1115 they shall not awake, H6974 nor be raised out H5782 of their sleep. H8142
And it grieved H3415 me sore: H3966 therefore I cast forth H7993 all the household H1004 stuff H3627 of Tobiah H2900 out of H2351 the chamber. H3957 Then I commanded, H559 and they cleansed H2891 the chambers: H3957 and thither brought I again H7725 the vessels H3627 of the house H1004 of God, H430 with the meat offering H4503 and the frankincense. H3828 And I perceived H3045 that the portions H4521 of the Levites H3881 had not been given H5414 them: for the Levites H3881 and the singers, H7891 that did H6213 the work, H4399 were fled H1272 every one H376 to his field. H7704 Then contended H7378 I with the rulers, H5461 and said, H559 Why is the house H1004 of God H430 forsaken? H5800 And I gathered them together, H6908 and set H5975 them in their place. H5977 Then brought H935 all Judah H3063 the tithe H4643 of the corn H1715 and the new wine H8492 and the oil H3323 unto the treasuries. H214 And I made treasurers H686 over the treasuries, H214 Shelemiah H8018 the priest, H3548 and Zadok H6659 the scribe, H5608 and of the Levites, H3881 Pedaiah: H6305 and next to them H3027 was Hanan H2605 the son H1121 of Zaccur, H2139 the son H1121 of Mattaniah: H4983 for they were counted H2803 faithful, H539 and their office was to distribute H2505 unto their brethren. H251 Remember H2142 me, O my God, H430 concerning this, and wipe not out H4229 my good H2617 deeds that I have done H6213 for the house H1004 of my God, H430 and for the offices H4929 thereof. In those days H3117 saw H7200 I in Judah H3063 some treading H1869 wine presses H1660 on the sabbath, H7676 and bringing in H935 sheaves, H6194 and lading H6006 asses; H2543 as also wine, H3196 grapes, H6025 and figs, H8384 and all manner of burdens, H4853 which they brought H935 into Jerusalem H3389 on the sabbath H7676 day: H3117 and I testified H5749 against them in the day H3117 wherein they sold H4376 victuals. H6718 There dwelt H3427 men of Tyre H6876 also therein, which brought H935 fish, H1709 H1709 and all manner of ware, H4377 and sold H4376 on the sabbath H7676 unto the children H1121 of Judah, H3063 and in Jerusalem. H3389 Then I contended H7378 with the nobles H2715 of Judah, H3063 and said H559 unto them, What evil H7451 thing H1697 is this that ye do, H6213 and profane H2490 the sabbath H7676 day? H3117 Did H6213 not your fathers H1 thus, and did H935 not our God H430 bring H935 all this evil H7451 upon us, and upon this city? H5892 yet ye bring H935 more H3254 wrath H2740 upon Israel H3478 by profaning H2490 the sabbath. H7676 And it came to pass, that when the gates H8179 of Jerusalem H3389 began to be dark H6751 before H6440 the sabbath, H7676 I commanded H559 that the gates H1817 should be shut, H5462 and charged H559 that they should not be opened H6605 till after H310 the sabbath: H7676 and some of my servants H5288 set H5975 I at the gates, H8179 that there should no burden H4853 be brought in H935 on the sabbath H7676 day. H3117 So the merchants H7402 and sellers H4376 of all kind of ware H4465 lodged H3885 without H2351 Jerusalem H3389 once H6471 or twice. H8147 Then I testified H5749 against them, and said H559 unto them, Why lodge H3885 ye about H5048 the wall? H2346 if ye do so again, H8138 I will lay H7971 hands H3027 on you. From that time H6256 forth came H935 they no more on the sabbath. H7676 And I commanded H559 the Levites H3881 that they should cleanse H2891 themselves, and that they should come H935 and keep H8104 the gates, H8179 to sanctify H6942 the sabbath H7676 day. H3117 Remember H2142 me, O my God, H430 concerning this also, and spare H2347 me according to the greatness H7230 of thy mercy. H2617 In those days H3117 also saw H7200 I Jews H3064 that had married H3427 wives H802 of Ashdod, H796 of Ammon, H5984 and of Moab: H4125 And their children H1121 spake H1696 half H2677 in the speech of Ashdod, H797 and could H5234 not speak H1696 in the Jews' language, H3066 but according to the language H3956 of each H5971 people. H5971 And I contended H7378 with them, and cursed H7043 them, and smote H5221 certain H582 of them, and plucked off their hair, H4803 and made them swear H7650 by God, H430 saying, Ye shall not give H5414 your daughters H1323 unto their sons, H1121 nor take H5375 their daughters H1323 unto your sons, H1121 or for yourselves. Did not Solomon H8010 king H4428 of Israel H3478 sin H2398 by these things? yet among many H7227 nations H1471 was there no king H4428 like him, who was beloved H157 of his God, H430 and God H430 made H5414 him king H4428 over all Israel: H3478 nevertheless even him H1571 did outlandish H5237 women H802 cause to sin. H2398 Shall we then hearken H8085 unto you to do H6213 all this great H1419 evil, H7451 to transgress H4603 against our God H430 in marrying H3427 strange H5237 wives? H802 And one of the sons H1121 of Joiada, H3111 the son H1121 of Eliashib H475 the high H1419 priest, H3548 was son in law H2860 to Sanballat H5571 the Horonite: H2772 therefore I chased H1272 him from me. Remember H2142 them, O my God, H430 because they have defiled H1352 the priesthood, H3550 and the covenant H1285 of the priesthood, H3550 and of the Levites. H3881 Thus cleansed H2891 I them from all strangers, H5236 and appointed H5975 the wards H4931 of the priests H3548 and the Levites, H3881 every one H376 in his business; H4399 And for the wood H6086 offering, H7133 at times H6256 appointed, H2163 and for the firstfruits. H1061 Remember H2142 me, O my God, H430 for good. H2896
They which builded H1129 on the wall, H2346 and they that bare H5375 burdens, H5447 with those that laded, H6006 every one with one H259 of his hands H3027 wrought H6213 in the work, H4399 and with the other H259 hand held H2388 a weapon. H7973 For the builders, H1129 every one H376 had his sword H2719 girded H631 by his side, H4975 and so builded. H1129 And he that sounded H8628 the trumpet H7782 was by me. H681 And I said H559 unto the nobles, H2715 and to the rulers, H5461 and to the rest H3499 of the people, H5971 The work H4399 is great H7235 and large, H7342 and we are separated H6504 upon the wall, H2346 one H376 far from H7350 another. H251 In what place H4725 therefore ye hear H8085 the sound H6963 of the trumpet, H7782 resort H6908 ye thither unto us: our God H430 shall fight H3898 for us. So we laboured H6213 in the work: H4399 and half H2677 of them held H2388 the spears H7420 from the rising H5927 of the morning H7837 till the stars H3556 appeared. H3318 Likewise at the same time H6256 said H559 I unto the people, H5971 Let every one H376 with his servant H5288 lodge H3885 within H8432 Jerusalem, H3389 that in the night H3915 they may be a guard H4929 to us, and labour H4399 on the day. H3117 So neither I, nor my brethren, H251 nor my servants, H5288 nor the men H582 of the guard H4929 which followed H310 me, none of us H587 put off H6584 our clothes, H899 saving that every one H376 put them off H7973 for washing. H4325
Nevertheless we made our prayer H6419 unto our God, H430 and set H5975 a watch H4929 against them day H3119 and night, H3915 because H6440 of them. And Judah H3063 said, H559 The strength H3581 of the bearers of burdens H5449 is decayed, H3782 and there is much H7235 rubbish; H6083 so that we are not able H3201 to build H1129 the wall. H2346 And our adversaries H6862 said, H559 They shall not know, H3045 neither see, H7200 till we come H935 in the midst H8432 among H8432 them, and slay H2026 them, and cause the work H4399 to cease. H7673 And it came to pass, that when the Jews H3064 which dwelt H3427 by them H681 came, H935 they said H559 unto us ten H6235 times, H6471 From all places H4725 whence ye shall return H7725 unto us they will be upon you. Therefore set H5975 I in the lower H8482 places H4725 behind H310 the wall, H2346 and on the higher places, H6706 H6708 I even set H5975 the people H5971 after their families H4940 with their swords, H2719 their spears, H7420 and their bows. H7198
So built H1129 we the wall; H2346 and all the wall H2346 was joined together H7194 unto the half H2677 thereof: for the people H5971 had a mind H3820 to work. H6213
And he spake H559 before H6440 his brethren H251 and the army H2428 of Samaria, H8111 and said, H559 What do H6213 these feeble H537 Jews? H3064 will they fortify H5800 themselves? will they sacrifice? H2076 will they make an end H3615 in a day? H3117 will they revive H2421 the stones H68 out of the heaps H6194 of the rubbish H6083 which are burned? H8313
And the elders H7868 of the Jews H3062 builded, H1124 and they prospered H6744 through the prophesying H5017 of Haggai H2292 the prophet H5029 and Zechariah H2148 the son H1247 of Iddo. H5714 And they builded, H1124 and finished H3635 it, according H4481 to the commandment H2941 of the God H426 of Israel, H3479 and according to the commandment H2942 of Cyrus, H3567 and Darius, H1868 and Artaxerxes H783 king H4430 of Persia. H6540 And this H1836 house H1005 was finished H3319 on H5705 the third H8532 day H3118 of the month H3393 Adar, H144 which was H1932 in the sixth H8353 year H8140 of the reign H4437 of Darius H1868 the king. H4430
And thus did H6213 Hezekiah H3169 throughout all Judah, H3063 and wrought H6213 that which was good H2896 and right H3477 and truth H571 before H6440 the LORD H3068 his God. H430 And in every work H4639 that he began H2490 in the service H5656 of the house H1004 of God, H430 and in the law, H8451 and in the commandments, H4687 to seek H1875 his God, H430 he did H6213 it with all his heart, H3824 and prospered. H6743
Now I have prepared H3559 with all my might H3581 for the house H1004 of my God H430 the gold H2091 for things to be made of gold, H2091 and the silver H3701 for things of silver, H3701 and the brass H5178 for things of brass, H5178 the iron H1270 for things of iron, H1270 and wood H6086 for things of wood; H6086 onyx H7718 stones, H68 and stones to be set, H4394 glistering H6320 stones, H68 and of divers colours, H7553 and all manner of precious H3368 stones, H68 and marble H7893 stones H68 in abundance. H7230 Moreover, because I have set my affection H7521 to the house H1004 of my God, H430 I have H3426 of mine own proper good, H5459 of gold H2091 and silver, H3701 which I have given H5414 to the house H1004 of my God, H430 over and above H4605 all that I have prepared H3559 for the holy H6944 house, H1004
And David H1732 said H559 to Solomon H8010 his son, H1121 Be strong H2388 and of good courage, H553 and do H6213 it: fear H3372 not, nor be dismayed: H2865 for the LORD H3068 God, H430 even my God, H430 will be with thee; he will not fail H7503 thee, nor forsake H5800 thee, until thou hast finished H3615 all the work H4399 for the service H5656 of the house H1004 of the LORD. H3068
Now set H5414 your heart H3824 and your soul H5315 to seek H1875 the LORD H3068 your God; H430 arise H6965 therefore, and build H1129 ye the sanctuary H4720 of the LORD H3068 God, H430 to bring H935 the ark H727 of the covenant H1285 of the LORD, H3068 and the holy H6944 vessels H3627 of God, H430 into the house H1004 that is to be built H1129 to the name H8034 of the LORD. H3068
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Ecclesiastes 9
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 9 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 9
Ec 9:1-18.
1. declare—rather, explore; the result of my exploring is this, that "the righteous, &c., are in the hand of God. No man knoweth either the love or hatred (of God to them) by all that is before them," that is, by what is outwardly seen in His present dealings (Ec 8:14, 17). However, from the sense of the same words, in Ec 9:6, "love and hatred" seem to be the feelings of the wicked towards the righteous, whereby they caused to the latter comfort or sorrow. Translate: "Even the love and hatred" (exhibited towards the righteous, are in God's hand) (Ps 76:10; Pr 16:7). "No man knoweth all that is before them."
2. All things … alike—not universally; but as to death. Ec 9:2-10 are made by Holden the objection of a skeptical sensualist. However, they may be explained as Solomon's language. He repeats the sentiment already implied in Ec 2:14; 3:20; 8:14.
one event—not eternally; but death is common to all.
good—morally.
clean—ceremonially.
sacrificeth—alike to Josiah who sacrificed to God, and to Ahab who made sacrifice to Him cease.
sweareth—rashly and falsely.
3. Translate, "There is an evil above all (evils) that are done," &c., namely, that not only "there is one event to all," but "also the heart of the sons of men" makes this fact a reason for "madly" persisting in "evil while they live, and after that," &c., sin is "madness."
the dead—(Pr 2:18; 9:18).
4. For—rather, "Nevertheless." English Version rightly reads as the Margin, Hebrew, "that is joined," instead of the text, "who is to be chosen?"
hope—not of mere temporal good (Job 14:7); but of yet repenting and being saved.
dog—metaphor for the vilest persons (1Sa 24:14).
lion—the noblest of animals (Pr 30:30).
better—as to hope of salvation; the noblest who die unconverted have no hope; the vilest, so long as they have life, have hope.
5. know that they shall die—and may thereby be led "so to number their days, that they may apply their hearts to wisdom" (Ec 7:1-4; Ps 90:12).
dead know not anything—that is, so far as their bodily senses and worldly affairs are concerned (Job 14:21; Isa 63:16); also, they know no door of repentance open to them, such as is to all on earth.
neither … reward—no advantage from their worldly labors (Ec 2:18-22; 4:9).
memory—not of the righteous (Ps 112:6; Mal 3:16), but the wicked, who with all the pains to perpetuate their names (Ps 49:11) are soon "forgotten" (Ec 8:10).
6. love, and … hatred, &c.—(referring to Ec 9:1; see on Ec 9:1). Not that these cease in a future world absolutely (Eze 32:27; Re 22:11); but as the end of this verse shows, relatively to persons and things in this world. Man's love and hatred can no longer be exercised for good or evil in the same way as here; but the fruits of them remain. What he is at death he remains for ever. "Envy," too, marks the wicked as referred to, since it was therewith that they assailed the righteous (see on Ec 9:1).
portion—Their "portion" was "in this life" (Ps 17:14), that they now "cannot have any more."
7. Addressed to the "righteous wise," spoken of in Ec 9:1. Being "in the hand of God," who now accepteth "thy works" in His service, as He has previously accepted thy person (Ge 4:4), thou mayest "eat … with a cheerful (not sensually 'merry') heart" (Ec 3:13; 5:18; Ac 2:46).
8. white—in token of joy (Isa 61:3). Solomon was clad in white (Josephus, Antiquities, 8:7,3); hence his attire is compared to the "lilies" (Mt 6:29), typical of the spotless righteousness of Jesus Christ, which the redeemed shall wear (Re 3:18; 7:14).
ointment—(Ps 23:5), opposed to a gloomy exterior (2Sa 14:2; Ps 45:7; Mt 6:17); typical, also (Ec 7:1; So 1:3).
9. wife … lovest—godly and true love, opposed to the "snares" of the "thousand" concubines (Ec 7:26, 28), "among" whom Solomon could not find the true love which joins one man to one woman (Pr 5:15, 18, 19; 18:22; 19:14).
10. Whatsoever—namely, in the service of God. This and last verse plainly are the language of Solomon, not of a skeptic, as Holden would explain it.
hand, &c.—(Le 12:8, Margin; 1Sa 10:7, Margin).
thy might—diligence (De 6:5; Jer 48:10, Margin).
no work … in the grave—(Joh 9:4; Re 14:13). "The soul's play-day is Satan's work-day; the idler the man the busier the tempter" [South].
11. This verse qualifies the sentiment, Ec 9:7-9. Earthly "enjoyments," however lawful in their place (Ec 3:1), are to give way when any work to be done for God requires it. Reverting to the sentiment (Ec 8:17), we ought, therefore, not only to work God's work "with might" (Ec 9:10), but also with the feeling that the event is wholly "in God's hand" (Ec 9:1).
race … not to the swift—(2Sa 18:23); spiritually (Zep 3:19; Ro 9:16).
nor … battle to … strong—(1Sa 17:47; 2Ch 14:9, 11, 15; Ps 33:16).
bread—livelihood.
favour—of the great.
chance—seemingly, really Providence. But as man cannot "find it out" (Ec 3:11), he needs "with all might" to use opportunities. Duties are ours; events, God's.
12. his time—namely, of death (Ec 7:15; Isa 13:22). Hence the danger of delay in doing the work of God, as one knows not when his opportunity will end (Ec 9:10).
evil net—fatal to them. The unexpected suddenness of the capture is the point of comparison. So the second coming of Jesus Christ, "as a snare" (Lu 21:35).
evil time—as an "evil net," fatal to them.
13. Rather, "I have seen wisdom of this kind also," that is, exhibited in the way which is described in what follows [Maurer].
14, 15. (2Sa 20:16-22).
bulwarks—military works of besiegers.
15. poor—as to the temporal advantages of true wisdom, though it often saves others. It receives little reward from the world, which admires none save the rich and great.
no man remembered—(Ge 40:23).
16. Resuming the sentiment (Ec 7:19; Pr 21:22; 24:5).
poor man's wisdom is despised—not the poor man mentioned in Ec 9:15; for his wisdom could not have saved the city, had "his words not been heard"; but poor men in general. So Paul (Ac 27:11).
17. The words of wise, &c.—Though generally the poor wise man is not heard (Ec 9:16), yet "the words of wise men, when heard in quiet (when calmly given heed to, as in Ec 9:15), are more serviceable than," &c.
ruleth—as the "great king" (Ec 9:14). Solomon reverts to "the rulers to their own hurt" (Ec 8:9).
18. one sinner, &c.—(Jos 7:1, 11, 12). Though wisdom excels folly (Ec 9:16; 7:19), yet a "little folly (equivalent to sin) can destroy much good," both in himself (Ec 10:1; Jas 2:10) and in others. "Wisdom" must, from the antithesis to "sinner," mean religion. Thus typically, the "little city" may be applied to the Church (Lu 12:32; Heb 12:22); the great king to Satan (Joh 12:31); the despised poor wise man, Jesus Christ (Isa 53:2, 3; Mr 6:3; 2Co 8:9; Eph 1:7, 8; Col 2:3).