15 I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king’s successor. "A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up [that which is] planted;" … (Verse 13-16.) No comforter — None afforded them pity or succour. This leads Ecclesiastes to one of his darkest statements yet. (1a) The Preacher. The content of Ecclesiastes reflects someone looking back on a life that was long on experience but short on lasting rewards. Verse Thoughts. But how can one be warm alone? This chapter discusses life's hardship and life's companions. Log In (opens new window) Search JW.ORG. In all things union tends to success and safety, but above all, the union of Christians. Verses 4-6 Solomon notices the sources of trouble peculiar to well-doers, and includes all who labour with diligence, and whose efforts are crowned with success. Than a king — Who hath neither wisdom to govern himself, nor to receive the counsels of wiser men. Mirth. "Two are better than one; because they have a good return for their work; If one falls down, his friend … Ecclesiastes 4. Ecclesiastes 4:5 eateth his own flesh; Ecclesiastes 4:12 - threefold cord. Ecclesiastes: Bible Study and Commentary. All Rights Reserved. A poor yet wise lad is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive instruction. 4:13 "poor" This Hebrew term (BDB 587) is found only four times in Ecclesiastes (cf. Yet the world-weary tone of the writing suggests that late in life, he looked back on his folly with regret, pointing us to a better, simpler life lived in light of God’s direction (Ecclesiastes 12:13–14). [15] I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead. Let’s look at the passage surrounding Ecclesiastes 4:16 to put it into context. 11. Ecclesiastes 4:13-16 (13) Better a poor and wise youth Than an old and foolish king who will be admonished no more. (14) For he comes out of prison to be king, Although he was born poor in his kingdom. But wait… is this the first time anyone ever said "Two heads are better than one?" Bible Questions Answered Bible Verses Explained Bible Study Tools Online … In him — They shall be as weary of the successor, though a wise and worthy prince, as their parents were of his foolish predecessor. Ecclesiastes presents us a naturalistic vision of life—one that sees life through distinctively human eyes—but ultimately recognizes the rule and reign of God in the world. the changes of royalty. Introduction: The Preacher, the author of Ecclesiastes. This more humanistic quality has made the book especially popular among younger audiences today, men and women who have seen more than their fair share of pain and instability in life but who still cling to their hope in God. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. Again I saw something meaningless under the sun: There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. The fool does nothing, and consumes his own flesh 2. JW.ORG. Peshitta, Targum, and Talmud attribute the authorship of the book to King Solomon. When life is lived without God, life is futile and meaningless. Some see the sentiments of Ecclesiastes 4:1-3 Ecclesiastes 4:1-3 [1] So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. Then he extols the virtues of having a partner. [3] Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun. 13 Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to heed a warning. One thing that causes us to dream is when we have eaten something that does not agree with us. Ecclesiastes chapter 4 KJV (King James Version) 1 So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.. 2 Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive. [4] Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. 14 The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom. [12] And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. - AFTB. [6] Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit. 4. To get a proper understanding of those verses, let’s read Ecclesiastes 4:7-12, “Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun. We relate to the journey of Solomon because, for so many of us, it is our own. Ecclesiastes 4:12 “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. All the power is on the side of the oppressors. The advantages of mutual assistance. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit. [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. The words of the Preacher, a. The words of the Preacher: The Book of Ecclesiastes is one of the most unusual and perhaps most difficult to understand books of the Bible. 2 And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive. As king, he had the opportunity and resources to pursue the rewards of wisdom, pleasure, and work in and of themselves. Not seen — Not felt: for as seeing good is put for enjoying it, so seeing evil is put for suffering it. 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