NOTES for Ecc 8:1-17

The words of Ecclesiastes affirm the greatness of royal power, which it seems no one is able to resist. Yet even the king's power proves to be part of the endless vanity of vanities, not only because human authority over others is often exercised to their harm, but, more importantly, because the king has no true power over the world. For no one has power over the spirit to retain the spirit, and no one has power over the day of death.