And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity.
And so (or, then) I saw the wicked - (Ezekiel 32:23-24; Ezekiel 39:11; Luke 16:22.) The grave puts an end to the temporary oppression exercised by the wicked.
Who had come - to the grave.
And gone from the place of the holy - from the place of judicature, where they sat as God's representatives (Psalms 82:1-6). Joab, by Solomon's command, was sent to the grave from the "holy place" in the temple, which was not a sanctuary to murderers (Exodus 21:14; 1 Kings 2:28; 1 Kings 2:31). The very word "bury" is used there. So the "wicked rulers" (Ecclesiastes 8:9) and high priests, who condemned Jesus, in God's time of judgment had to "go from the place of the holy," the temple, to the grave. "The place of the holy" (the place of judicature, and the temple, and the holy city and congregation) was not the rightful place of the wicked. Therefore in God's due time they must go from it forever (cf. Isaiah 4:3; Isaiah 52:1; Isaiah 49:17).
They were forgotten - (Proverbs 10:7; Psalms 73:19-20.)
This (is) also vanity. This rule of man over man, to the hurt of the ruled; because it soon ends, and the righteous are delivered forever.