The Teacher begins his conclusion of this part of his thesis with “Woe to the land whose king is a child!” (Ecclesiastes 10:16). The word for ‘child’ is naar (H5288), which refers to a boy of any age up to manhood. It is often used of youths who were of military age (1Samuel 14:1, 6; 25:5, 8-9; 2Samuel 1:5-6,15), but inexperienced. It can be used figuratively of an older man who simply never grew up to accept responsibility. Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, was such a man, who at the age of 41 was made King of Israel. However, the scriptures tell us that he was a naar (H5288), who was unable to stand against Jeroboam and the sons of Belial with him who rebelled against their king (2Chronicles 13:6-7). Rehoboam was inexperienced in leading men and refused the advice of his older and wiser counselors and embraced the advice of his younger and inexperienced friends (1Kings 12:1-16).
It is expected of a man to act as a man and not as a child. A child, or childish adult, thinks, speaks and acts as a child. Having little experience with responsibility, he is certainly ill-equipped to face the challenges of this world on his own and be expected to succeed. Paul said: when he was a child, he spoke as a child and thought and understood as a child, but when he became a man, he put away “the child” (1Corinthians 13:11). Thus, the Teacher bemoans the state of the land, where the child or the inexperienced and ill-equipped man governs.
Although Rehoboam was of noble birth, he didn’t live after a noble life. He was irresponsible. So, the Teacher’s point about nobles governing being a blessing has more to do with conduct than birth (Ecclesiastes 10:17).[1] Under the former, the king’s governors are extravagant in all that they do, including in their personal lives, for which heavy taxes and the taking of bribes becomes a necessary evil in order to support their wasteful and immoral behavior (verse-16). On the other hand, the servants of the more noble-minded ruler govern for the good of the people. The one is self-serving, while the second serves the community.
Putting the house for the nation, the Teacher then points out that continued neglect will eventually cause the house to fall in upon itself and be destroyed (Ecclesiastes 10:18). In other words, if the princes don’t govern by law (viz. the rafters holding up the roof), which is supposed to be fair for everyone, the building (the nation) will collapse under its unchecked corruption.
“Nero fiddled, while Rome burned!” is a well-known expression, probably not true, but the sentiment fits our context. Whether we are speaking of the burning of Rome or Rome’s war with the Jews, Nero was an ineffectual leader, and he often “fiddled” or acted on the public stage, entertaining, while the challenges of his office went unmet. So, Ecclesiastes 10:19 is understood in this perspective. The feasting and the wine brought the gladness and the joy that should have come with a job well done, but instead the princes’ joy came artificially through their excesses, which were supported through high taxes, which was believed to be the answer for everything! After all, why pray to God, when money can satisfy all one’s desires?
In this context, then, we need to understand the Teacher’s advice: “Don’t curse the king” or the princes, no, not even where you sleep. In other words, don’t make light of the king or the princes, even though they are unfit for their high offices, because a bird (viz. someone you know and trust) may take what you say in the most private of moments, and make that known to a man who has all the power to do as he pleases, and, if such a man is childish and irresponsible, what protection would you have in such a situation (Ecclesiastes 10:20)?
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[1] Generally, the nobles of a nation are more educated and have a greater interest in noble character, because, if they are the sons of noble rulers, they have models to look to and follow. It would be generally out of character for such folks to not desire to be like their noble and renown ancestors.
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