Ecclesiastes 5:9

The king himself, &c.— The king is served on account of the field. Desvoeux. Houbigant renders the verse, And when these things are so, it is advantageous for the land that there be a king who may destroy the oppressor of the province. In this and the foregoing verse is contained the third admonition. Let no one look upon the injustices which men in power are guilty of, to the prejudice of the poor, as a disparagement of Providence; for one who is above—not the governors of provinces only, but likewise above the monarchs from whom they derive their authority, keeps them all in reserve for the day of retribution; and, as a token of his firm resolve to distribute justice to all with the most perfect equality, he has so ordered things in this world, that, after all incroachments and extortions of the powerful, there is a common fund remaining for the support of all, without distinction, and for the sake of which chiefly the kings themselves are served. For what inducement have other men to subject themselves to the king's authority, but that under his protection the land may be properly improved and cultivated?