Ecclesiastes Chapter 4

From The Open Bible Project

4:1 Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.

• (a) He makes here another discourse with himself concerning the tyranny of them that oppressed the poor.

4:2 Therefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are yet alive.

• (b) Because they are no longer subject to these oppressions.

4:3 Yes, better than them both is him who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

• (c) He speaks according to the judgment of the flesh which cannot abide to feel or see troubles.

4:4 Then I saw all the labor and achievement that is the envy of a man's neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

• (d) The more perfect that the work is, the more it is envied by the wicked.

4:5 The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.

• (e) For idleness he is compelled to destroy himself.

4:6 Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind.

4:7 Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

4:8 There is one who is alone, and he has neither son nor brother. There is no end to all of his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with wealth. "For whom then, do I labor, and deprive my soul of enjoyment?" This also is vanity. Yes, it is a miserable business.

4:9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.

• (f) As when man is alone, he can neither help himself nor others, he shows that men should live in mutual society to the intent that they may be profitable one to another, and that their things may increase.

4:10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn't have another to lift him up.

4:11 Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one keep warm alone?

4:12 If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

• (g) By this proverb he declares how necessary it is, that men should live in society.

4:13 Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn't know how to receive admonition any more.

4:14 For out of prison he came forth to be king; yes, even in his kingdom he was born poor.

• (h) That is, from a poor and base estate or out of trouble and prison as Joseph did, (Genesis 41:14).
• (i) Meaning, that is born a king.

4:15 I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him.

• (k) Who follow and flatter the king’s son, or him that will succeed to enter into credit with them in hope of gain.

4:16 There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was--yet those who come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing after wind.

• (l) They never cease by all means to creep into favour, but when they do not obtain their greedy desires they think themselves abused, as others have been in times past, and so care no more for him.