Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

Ecclesiastes 10:4-7

Behaviour Connected With Superiors (Ecclesiastes 10:4).

‘If the spirit of the ruler rise up against you, do not leave your place, for deference will compensate for great offences.'

The picture is that of a court with courtiers standing in their allotted place. To leave his place would be a sign of a man's rebellion and resentment. So the point is that a king's temporary anger is best dealt with by his showing deference, and remaining in his place. Then all will be quickly forgotten.

The lesson for us is that we should not too quickly take offence or react to someone else's anger, especially if they hold a superior position. It can result in loss of job, or future unpleasantness, or loss of favour, and often over something quite unimportant. We could put it, ‘do not resign (or do anything else foolish) over a trifle, just because you are temporarily upset'.

Ecclesiastes 10:5

‘There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error that proceeds from a ruler.'

The warning here is that lack of oversight of one in charge can cause great damage. Someone with authority must take care that they carry out their responsibilities properly. Otherwise consequences can be serious. It illustrates also that we should be careful who we put in charge of something.

Ecclesiastes 10:6

‘Folly is set at great heights, and the rich sit in a low place.'

Those who make themselves out to be over-important reveal their stupidity, while those who would be rich are careful to show due deference and win favour by humility. They are then more likely to become ‘the rich' and be invited to take a higher place (compare Luke 14:10).

Ecclesiastes 10:7

‘I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking as servants on the earth.'

The idea here is that some people do not know how to keep their proper place, while others are too great to worry about such details. It is only the unimportant person who has to act so as to ensure that he gets proper recognition. But the danger with such people is that they might try to set themselves higher than they should. The least they then do is make a fool of themselves. More embarrassingly they may be told to get down, or be punished for their arrogance. Servants are often more likely to insist on their proper position because position is important to them. The prince does not mind. His position is sure.

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Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

Ecclesiastes 10:4-7

Old Testament

New Testament