Ecclesiastes 10:16

“Woe to thee, O land, when thy king [is] a child, etc.] Not so much in age; though it is sometimes an unhappiness to a nation to be governed by a minor, especially if the young king has not good tutors, guardians, ministers, and counsellors, about him; but, if otherwise, a nation may be very happy under a minority, or the government of a young prince; such were Solomon, Joash, Uzziah, Josiah, and our Edward VI: but it rather respects one that is a child in understanding and judgment, in manners and conduct; that minds his pleasures, as children their play; is fickle and changeable, passionate and self-willed, unskilful in government, and yet will not be advised. The Targum applies this to the…”

“a child--given to pleasures; behaves with childish levity. Not in years; for a nation may be happy under a young prince, as Josiah. eat in the morning--the usual time for dispensing justice in the East (Jer 21:12); here, given to feasting (Isa 5:11; Act 2:15).”

“Foolish rulers, by their weakness, self-indulgence and sloth, bring decay upon the state: nobleness and temperance insure prosperity: yet the subject must not rebel in word or thought against his king. Ecclesiastes 10:16 A child - Rather, young. The word is applied to Rehoboam 2 Chronicles 13:7 at the time of his accession to the throne, when he was 41 years old. Eat in the morning - A sign of intemperance (compare Isaiah 5:11). Ecclesiastes 10:17 Son of nobles - i. e., of a noble disposition. Ecclesiastes 10:18 The “building” or “house” represents the state. Compare Isaiah 3:6; Amos 9:10. Droppeth through - i. e., Lets the rain through the roof. Ecclesiastes 10:19 literally, For merriment…”

“A child - Either in age, or childish qualities. Eat - Give up themselves to eating and drinking. Morning - The fittest time for God's service, for the dispatch of weighty affairs, and for sitting in judgment. Ecclesiastes 10:17”

“10:16-17 A servant lacks leadership skills. • feast at the proper time: Wise leaders take their leisure only after the work is finished, not in the morning before work has even started. Lazy leaders weaken a society or organization.”

“when: Ch2 13:7, 33:1-20, Ch2 36:2, Ch2 36:5, Ch2 36:9, Ch2 36:11; Isa 3:4, Isa 3:5, Isa 3:12 and: Pro 20:1, Pro 20:2; Isa 5:11, Isa 5:12, Isa 28:7, Isa 28:8; Hos 7:5-7 in the: Jer 21:12 Ecclesiastes 10:17”

“"Woe to thee, O land, whose king is a child, and whose princes sit at table in the early morning! Happy art thou, O land, whose king is a noble, and whose princes sit at table at the right time, in manly strength, and not in drunkenness!" Regarding אי. Instead of שׁם ן, the older language would rather use the phrase מלכּו נער אשׁר; and instead of na'ar, we might correctly use, after Pro 30:22, 'ěvěd; but not as Grtz thinks, who from this verse deduces the reference of the book of Herod (the "slave of the Hasmonean house," as the Talm. names him), in the same meaning. For na'ar, it is true, sometimes means - e.g., as Ziba's by-name ( Sa2 19:18 \[17\]) - a servant, but never a slave as such,…”