Albert Barnes Commentary Ecclesiastes 10:16-20

"Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning! Happy art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! By slothfulness the roof sinketh in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaketh. A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh glad the life; and money answereth all things. Revile not the king, no, not in thy thought; and revile not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the heavens shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter." — Ecclesiastes 10:16-20 (ASV)

(Ecclesiastes 10:16) Foolish rulers, by their weakness, self-indulgence, and sloth, bring decay upon the state. Nobleness and temperance ensure prosperity; yet, the subject must not rebel in word or thought against his king.

A child – Rather, young. The word is applied to Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 13:7) at the time of his accession to the throne, when he was 41 years old.

Eat in the morning – A sign of intemperance .

(Ecclesiastes 10:17) Son of nobles – i. e., of a noble disposition.

(Ecclesiastes 10:18) The “building” or “house” represents the state. Compare Isaiah 3:6; Amos 9:10.

Droppeth through – i. e., Lets the rain through the roof.

(Ecclesiastes 10:19) Literally, For merriment they make a feast (bread), and wine gladdens the living, and money supplies all things.

(Ecclesiastes 10:20) Curse – Compare Ecclesiastes 7:21-22.