Ecclesiastes 10:16-17

2. Rulers Ecclesiastes 10:16-17

TEXT 10:16-17

16

Woe to you, O land, whose king is a lad and whose princes feast in the morning.

17

Blessed are you, O land, whose king is of nobility and whose princes eat at the appropriate timefor strength and not for drunkeness.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 10:16-17

388.

Why is it a dangerous thing to have rulers who feast in the morning?

389.

Why were they eating at this time (Ecclesiastes 10:17)?

390.

A land is blessed when a king eats for what purpose?

PARAPHRASE 10:16-17

A country is in great trouble when the king behaves as a youth, and the princes frolic and feast in the morning hours! A country is rich whose king is concerned more with justice than he is with jesting, and eats to gain strength in order to carry out his labors rather than participating in drunkeness.

COMMENT 10:16-17

Ecclesiastes 10:16 The land is impoverished when the ruler behaves as a child. It does not mean that a young king would be a curse to a land. Josiah proved a blessing to Israel and became king when he was but eight years of age. Rehoboam is an illustration of the intent of the verse, when at forty-one years, he behaved with childish thoughts and in childish ways (2 Chronicles 13:7). Compare with this Isaiah 3:12 where corrupted rulers are described as women and children. (Cf. 1 Corinthians 14:20) The irresponsible behavior of childish kings carries over to the princes who start the day frolicking in intoxication and sensual enjoyment. They should have attended to honest work and important matters of state (Jeremiah 21:12). Isaiah also spoke of similar circumstances in Ecclesiastes 5:11-12: Woe to those who rise early in the morning that they may pursue strong drink; who stay up late in the evening that wine may inflame them! And their banquets are accompanied by lyre and harp, by tambourine and flute, and by wine; but they do not pay attention to the deeds of the Lord. Nor do they consider the work of His hands. The lesson is clear: When wisdom is disregarded by the rulers of the land, the people will have to endure injustices and uncommon trials. The woe that comes upon them is the inescapable sorrow which results from the land being controlled by fools.

Ecclesiastes 10:17 In this verse the opposite picture is presented. The king is not only mature in his behavior, he is also of noble birth. Noble not only in blood, but also in virtuous behavior. No longer is the true prince walking upon the ground while the fool triumphs on horseback. Wisdom reigns. The Jews assign to the word noble the idea of freeborn. This suggests a greater opportunity for one to enjoy learning and the employment of wisdom. Such men would be a blessing rather than a curse to the land. Such wise men will eat for strength and not for sensual enjoyment. They will judge wisely in the morning hours rather than selfishly pursue the pleasures of the flesh. Instead of harsh judgments and sorrow falling upon the land, the land is blessed and happy. (Cf. Isaiah 32:8; Isaiah 31:4)

FACT QUESTIONS 10:16-17

515.

How do irresponsible, childish kings start their days?

516.

What is the woe experienced by such a country?

517.

Describe the conditions in the land where wisdom reigns.