Ecclesiastes 8:4
For the king's word [has] power, and who may say to him, What are thou doing?
A Conservative Version
In The King James Version
Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
In Context
Cross References
2 Samuel 24:4Notwithstanding, the king's word prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the army. And Joab and the captains of the army went out from the presence of the king to number the people of Israel.
1 Kings 2:25And king Solomon sent by Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and he fell upon him so that he died.
1 Kings 2:46So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And he went out, and fell upon him so that he died. And the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.
Job 9:12Behold, he seizes; who can hinder him? Who will say to him, What are thou doing?
Job 34:18[him] who says to a king, [Thou are] vile, to ranking men, [Ye are] wicked,
Proverbs 20:2The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger sins [against] his own life.
Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 8:2-6
The Excellence of Wisdom; The Duty of Subjects. 1 Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed. 2 I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God. 3 Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him. 4 Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou? 5 Whoso keepeth the… Read the whole commentary →