Be steadily faithful to your sovereign. Do not stand in an evil thing. If you have done wrong, do not endeavour to vindicate yourself before him; it is of no use; his power is absolute, and he will do what he pleases. He will take his own view of the subject, and he will retain it. The language of a despotic sovereign was ever this, Sic volo sic jubeo, stat pro ratione voluntas; "I will this. I command that. No hesitation! My will is law!" Therefore it is added here, Where the word of a king is, there is power-influence, authority, and the sword. And who may say unto him, whether he acts right or wrong, What doest thou? ver. 4. No wonder in such governments there are so many revolutions; but they are revolutions without amendment, as it is one tyrant rising up to destroy another, who, when seated in authority, acts in the way of his predecessor; till another, like himself, do to him as he has done to the former. In our country, after a long trial, we find that a mixed monarchy is the safest, best, and most useful form of government: we have had, it is true, unprincipled ministers, who wished to turn our limited into an absolute monarchy; and they were always ready to state that an absolute monarchy was best. Granted; provided the monarch be as wise, as holy, and as powerful as GOD!

John Gill's Bible Commentary

Such who interpret this of an earthly king suppose this forbids a man going out from the presence of a king in a pet and passion, withdrawing himself from his court and service in a heat, at once; stand not in an evil thing ; having done it, continue not in it; but repent of it, acknowledge and forsake it, whether against God or an earthly king; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him ; which best agrees with the King of kings, who does what he pleases, in heaven above and in earth below, both in nature, providence, and grace; (see Job 23:13 <19B503> Psalm 115:3); though earthly kings indeed have long hands, as is usually said, and can reach a great way, and do great things, especially despotic and arbitrary princes, and it is very difficult escaping their hands. The Targum is, “for the Lord of all worlds, the Lord will do what he pleases.”

Matthew Henry Commentary

Eccl. 8:1-5 None of the rich, the powerful, the honourable, or the accomplished of the sons of men, are so excellent, useful, or happy, a the wise man. Who else can interpret the words of God, or teach arigh from his truths and dispensations? What madness must it be for weak an dependent creatures to rebel against the Almighty! What numbers for wrong judgments, and bring misery on themselves, in this life and tha to come!

Eccl. 8:6-8 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 weapon of effectual resistance. Ninety thousand die every day, upwards of sixty every minute, and one every moment. How solemn the thought! O that men were wise, that they understood these things, that they woul 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.

Eccl. 8:9-13 Solomon observed, that many a time one man rules ove 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 an worthless. Let us pray that we may view eternal things as near, real and all-important.

Eccl. 8:14-17 Faith alone can establish the heart in this mixed scene where the righteous often suffer, and the wicked prosper. Solomo commended joy, and holy security of mind, arising from confidence i God, because a man has no better thing under the sun, though a good ma 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 u try to give a reason for what God does. But, leaving the Lord to clea 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 __________________________________________________________________

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