Wisdom can enable a person to avoid the king's wrath (vv. 2-9), but it cannot enable him or her to understand fully why God deals with people as He does (vv. 10-17).
8:10-14 There are two apparent inequities in verse 10. First, the wicked get an honorable burial. Second, people soon forget the godly. These verses provide instances of exceptions to the retribution doctrine.
8:15 In view of these contradictions Solomon again recommended the enjoyment of life, not in a pleasure-mad way but in the sense of enjoying the fruits of one's labor (cf. 2:24; 3:12-13; 5:18-19). This joy will make labor more enjoyable. We should receive each day's joys as God's good gifts and rejoice in them.
8:16-17 Solomon meant that even the wisest, most energetic person could not fully understand God's ways (cf. 7:14b; 28a; Matt. 6:34). This is a point he had made since 6:10.
