Keep the king's command, I say, because of your oath before God. Keep the king’s commandThe phrase "Keep the king’s command" emphasizes the importance of obedience to authority, a theme that resonates throughout the Bible. The Hebrew word for "keep" is "shamar," which means to guard, observe, or give heed. This suggests not just passive obedience but active, vigilant adherence to the king's decrees. In the historical context of ancient Israel, the king was seen as God's appointed ruler, and his commands were to be respected as part of maintaining order and justice. This aligns with the broader biblical principle found in Romans 13:1, where believers are instructed to submit to governing authorities, as they are established by God. I say
The phrase "I say" indicates the personal authority and conviction of the speaker, traditionally understood to be Solomon. This personal assertion underscores the wisdom and experience behind the advice. Solomon, known for his God-given wisdom, speaks from a position of understanding the complexities of governance and the divine order. His use of "I say" adds weight to the instruction, suggesting that it is not merely a suggestion but a wise directive based on divine insight. because of your oath before God
The phrase "because of your oath before God" highlights the solemnity and sacredness of promises made in the presence of God. The Hebrew word for "oath" is "shevuah," which refers to a solemn promise or vow. In ancient Israel, oaths were binding and carried significant spiritual and social weight. This phrase reminds believers of their covenantal relationship with God, where oaths and promises are not to be taken lightly. It reflects the biblical understanding that one's word, especially when given before God, is a matter of integrity and faithfulness. This is echoed in Matthew 5:37, where Jesus teaches that one's "Yes" should be "Yes," and "No," "No," emphasizing honesty and reliability in one's commitments. Persons / Places / Events 1. The Preacher (Qoheleth)Traditionally identified as Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel, who is considered the author of Ecclesiastes. He is known for his wisdom and reflective insights on life. 2. The KingRepresents authority and governance. In the context of ancient Israel, the king was seen as God's appointed ruler, and obedience to the king was a reflection of one's obedience to God. 3. GodThe ultimate authority to whom all oaths and allegiances are ultimately directed. The verse emphasizes the importance of keeping oaths made before God. 4. OathA solemn promise or commitment, often invoking God as a witness. In ancient times, oaths were binding and carried significant spiritual and social weight. 5. IsraelThe nation to whom the original text was addressed, living under a theocratic monarchy where the king was seen as God's representative. Teaching Points Respect for AuthorityAs Christians, we are called to respect and obey those in positions of authority, recognizing that their power is ultimately derived from God. Integrity in CommitmentsOur oaths and promises, especially those made before God, should be taken seriously. We must strive to be people of integrity, keeping our word. God's SovereigntyUnderstanding that God is sovereign over all authorities can bring peace and perspective, even when we disagree with those in power. Witness to the WorldOur obedience to authority can serve as a testimony to our faith and trust in God's order, reflecting His character to those around us. Balancing Obedience and ConscienceWhile we are called to obey authorities, our ultimate allegiance is to God. We must discern when obedience to human authority conflicts with God's commands. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding the historical context of a king's authority in ancient Israel help us interpret Ecclesiastes 8:2? 2. In what ways can Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Peter 2:13-17 help us apply the principle of obedience to authority in our modern context? 3. How can we ensure that our commitments and oaths are made and kept with integrity, especially in light of Matthew 5:33-37? 4. What are some practical ways we can demonstrate respect for authority in our daily lives, and how does this reflect our faith? 5. How do we balance obedience to human authority with our ultimate allegiance to God, especially when the two seem to conflict? Connections to Other Scriptures Romans 13:1-7This passage discusses the Christian's responsibility to submit to governing authorities, as they are established by God. It echoes the theme of obedience to authority found in Ecclesiastes 8:2. Matthew 5:33-37Jesus teaches about the importance of keeping one's word and the seriousness of making oaths, reinforcing the idea of integrity in commitments made before God. 1 Peter 2:13-17Peter instructs believers to submit to every human authority for the Lord's sake, aligning with the principle of respecting and obeying the king's command. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Account, Command, Commandment, Counsel, Dismayed, King's, Law, Oath, Regard, Respect, Sacred, SakeDictionary of Bible Themes Ecclesiastes 8:2 5219 authority, human institutions
5255 citizenship
5430 oaths, human
8243 ethics, social
8304 loyalty Ecclesiastes 8:2-5 5257 civil authorities Library Misused Respite
'Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil'--ECCLES. viii. 11. When the Pharaoh of the Exodus saw there was respite, he hardened his heart. Abject in his fear before Moses, he was ready to promise anything; insolent in his pride, he swallows down his promises as soon as fear is eased, his repentance and his retractation of it combined to add new weights about his neck. He was but a conspicuous example of …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureFive Fears
Now, you will notice that fear may be yoked into the service of God. True fear, not fearing, but believing, saves the soul; not doubt, but confidence, is the strength and the deliverance of the Christian. Still, fear, as being one of those powers which God hath given us, is not in itself sinful. Fear may be used for the most sinful purposes; at the same time it may be so ennobled by grace, and so used for the service of God, that it may become the very grandest part of man. In fact, Scripture has …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857 The Wicked Man's Life, Funeral, and Epitaph
We shall this morning want you, first of all, to walk with a living man; it is said of him that he did "come and go from the place of the holy:" next, I shall want you to attend his funeral, and then, in conclusion I shall ask you to assist in writing his epitaph--"and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this also is vanity." I. In the first place, HERE IS SOME GOOD COMPANY FOR YOU; some with whom you may walk to the house of God, for it is said of them, that they did come and …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858 Whether Christ Should have Been Circumcised?
Objection 1: It would seem that Christ should not have been circumcised. For on the advent of the reality, the figure ceases. But circumcision was prescribed to Abraham as a sign of the covenant concerning his posterity, as may be seen from Gn. 17. Now this covenant was fulfilled in Christ's birth. Therefore circumcision should have ceased at once. Objection 2: Further, "every action of Christ is a lesson to us" [*Innoc. III, Serm. xxii de Temp.]; wherefore it is written (Jn. 3:15): "I have given …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether in Loving God we Ought to Observe any Mode?
Objection 1: It would seem that we ought to observe some mode in loving God. For the notion of good consists in mode, species and order, as Augustine states (De Nat. Boni iii, iv). Now the love of God is the best thing in man, according to Col. 3:14: "Above all . . . things, have charity." Therefore there ought to be a mode of the love of God. Objection 2: Further, Augustine says (De Morib. Eccl. viii): "Prithee, tell me which is the mode of love. For I fear lest I burn with the desire and love of …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Literature.
i. editions of chrysostom's works. S. Joannis Chrysostomi, archiepiscopi Constantinopolitani, Opera omnia quæ exstant vel quæ ejus nomine circumferuntur, ad mss. codices Gallicos, Vaticanos, Anglicos, Germanicosque castigata, etc. Opera et studio D.Bernardi de Montfaucon, monachi ordinis S. Benedicti e congregatione S. Mauri, opem ferentibus aliis ex codem sodalitio, monachis. Greek and Latin, Paris, 1718-'38, in 13 vols., fol. This is the best edition, and the result of about twenty …
St. Chrysostom—On the Priesthood Concerning Jonathan, one of the Sicarii, that Stirred up a Sedition in Cyrene, and was a False Accuser [Of the Innocent].
1. And now did the madness of the Sicarii, like a disease, reach as far as the cities of Cyrene; for one Jonathan, a vile person, and by trade a weaver, came thither and prevailed with no small number of the poorer sort to give ear to him; he also led them into the desert, upon promising them that he would show them signs and apparitions. And as for the other Jews of Cyrene, he concealed his knavery from them, and put tricks upon them; but those of the greatest dignity among them informed Catullus, …
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem A Few Sighs from Hell;
or, The Groans of the Damned Soul: or, An Exposition of those Words in the Sixteenth of Luke, Concerning the Rich Man and the Beggar WHEREIN IS DISCOVERED THE LAMENTABLE STATE OF THE DAMNED; THEIR CRIES, THEIR DESIRES IN THEIR DISTRESSES, WITH THE DETERMINATION OF GOD UPON THEM. A GOOD WARNING WORD TO SINNERS, BOTH OLD AND YOUNG, TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION BETIMES, AND TO SEEK, BY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, TO AVOID, LEST THEY COME INTO THE SAME PLACE OF TORMENT. Also, a Brief Discourse touching the …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Ecclesiastes
It is not surprising that the book of Ecclesiastes had a struggle to maintain its place in the canon, and it was probably only its reputed Solomonic authorship and the last two verses of the book that permanently secured its position at the synod of Jamnia in 90 A.D. The Jewish scholars of the first century A.D. were struck by the manner in which it contradicted itself: e.g., "I praised the dead more than the living," iv. 2, "A living dog is better than a dead lion," ix. 4; but they were still more …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Ecclesiastes 8:2 NIVEcclesiastes 8:2 NLTEcclesiastes 8:2 ESVEcclesiastes 8:2 NASBEcclesiastes 8:2 KJV
Ecclesiastes 8:2 Commentaries
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