Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
An objection is here started (entertained by Solomon in his apostasy), as in Ecclesiastes 3:16; Ecclesiastes 7:15, to the truth of retributive justice, from the fact of the just and the wicked not now receiving always according to their respective deserts; a cavil, which would seem the more weighty to men living under the Mosaic covenant of temporal sanctions. The objector adds, as Solomon had said, that the worldling's pursuits are "vanity" (Ecclesiastes 8:10), "I say (not 'said') this also is vanity. Then I commend mirth," etc. [HOLDEN]. Ecclesiastes 8:14-15 may, however, be explained as teaching a cheerful, thankful use of God's gifts "under the sun," that is, not making them the chief good, as sensualists do, which Ecclesiastes 2:2; Ecclesiastes 7:2, forbid; but in "the fear of God," as Ecclesiastes 3:12; Ecclesiastes 5:18; Ecclesiastes 7:18; Ecclesiastes 9:7, opposed to the abstinence of the self-righteous ascetic (Ecclesiastes 7:16), and of the miser (Ecclesiastes 5:17).
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Ecclesiastes 7:15
Ecclesiastes 8:14
Ecclesiastes 8:16
Ecclesiastes 8:16
Ecclesiastes 9:1
Ecclesiastes 9:2
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