Wisdom has its limitations, but it is better to be wise than to be a fool (v1). Wisdom lifts someone’s countenance in joy and hope.

The preacher highlights the importance of obeying the king even though this may be frustrating at times (v2-3). The supreme rule of the king was to be respected and obedience seen as the wise thing even when we don’t know what trouble lies ahead (v4-7).

If obedience to flawed kings was encouraged, this surely shows us the great importance of living in obedience to the King of kings, even when we don’t know what obedience will bring for us.

One reason we need to trust Jesus as our king is that none of us knows the day of our death and no one has power to retain their spirit in that day (v8a). At death, our spirit leaves our body and we can do nothing about it. This helplessness encourages us to find hope in Jesus (1 Cor. 15 v54-57).

Death has a strong hold on people but so too has wickedness (v8b). No king releases his troops in a time of war, and likewise evil resists letting go. Again, only Christ can break the hold of evil through the cross.