Ecclesiastes 4:4-16

4 Again, I considered all travail and every right work for which a man is envied by his neighbor. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

5 The fool foldeth his hands together and eateth his own flesh.

6 Better is a handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of the spirit.

7 Again I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun:

8 There is one who is alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother, yet there is no end to all his labor. Neither is his eye satisfied with riches; nor saith he, "For whom do I labor and bereave my soul of good?" This is also vanity; yea, it is a sore travail.

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

10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him that is alone when he falleth, for he hath not another to help him up.

11 Again, if two lie down together, then they have heat, but how can one be warm alone?

12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threestrand cord is not quickly broken.

13 Better is a poor and wise child, than an old and foolish king who will no more be admonished.

14 For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.

15 I considered all the living who walk under the sun, with the second child who shall stand up in his stead.

16 There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them; they also who came after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

Ecclesiastes 4:4-16 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ECCLESIASTES 4

In this chapter the wise man reassumes the consideration of the case of the abuse of power, to show that there is no happiness in this world, in grandeur and authority enjoyed; since, as he had observed before, on the one hand, the oppressor shall be judged and condemned at the great day of account; so, on the other hand, the oppressed have their lives made so uncomfortable, that the dead are preferred unto them, and unborn persons to them both, Ec 4:1-3; Another vanity he observes, that whereas men expect to be happy by their diligence and industry, this brings upon them the envy of others, Ec 4:4; hence some, on the other hand, place their happiness in sloth and ease, which is another vanity, Ec 4:5,6; and others again in covetousness; who are described by their unsocial life, toilsome labour, unsatisfied desires, and withholding good things from themselves, Ec 4:7,8; upon which some things are said, to show the benefits of a social life, Ec 4:9-12. And the chapter is concluded with exposing the vanity of the highest instance of worldly power and grandeur, royal dignity, through the folly of a king; the effects of which are mentioned, Ec 4:13,14; and through the fickleness of the people, who are soon weary of a prince on the throne, and court his successor, Ec 4:15,16.