Ecclesiastes 8:2-5 (ESV)
2 I say: Keep the king's command, because of God's oath to him. 3 Be not hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand in an evil cause, for he does whatever he pleases. 4 For the word of the king is supreme, and who may say to him, “What are you doing?” 5 Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way.
What does the above text mean? Read it carefully. Before we look at the meaning, we need to remember the context of Ecclesiastes. Solomon is the king. He is writing about his experience to try everything in life to see if it brings him and/or others, fulfillment. At the end of the book he explains that nothing brings fulfillment except fearing God:
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (ESV)
The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.
So, we have to view all things prior to these last two verses, through the lens of the last two verses. Solomon in the top verses is talking about the human structure of government. He is telling us that human government is installed by God (verses 2). God has made an oath to the king to put him in power and to keep him in power. Note:
Psalms 75:6-7 (ESV)
For not from the east or from the west
and not from the wilderness comes lifting up,
but it is God who executes judgment,
putting down one and lifting up another.
In light of that understanding, Solomon tells us that the king should be feared. Later, of course, he tells us that we should fear the Lord more than anything else. But, make no mistake, God puts leadership in charge and we are to obey the king (vs. 3-4). When we do, we realize, by God’s power, we will be blessed (vs. 5). Notice how the New Testament writers teach this.
1 Peter 2:13-15 (ESV)
Submission to Authority
Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.
Romans 13:1-3 (ESV)
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,
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