Ecclesiastes 4

The Evils of Oppression

1 Then I looked again at all the acts of ¹oppression which were being done under the sun. And behold I saw the tears of the oppressed and that they had ²no one to comfort them; and on the side of their oppressors was power, but they had no one to comfort them.

2 So ³I congratulated the dead who are already dead more than the living who are still living.

3 But ⁴better off than both of them is the one who has never existed, who has never seen the evil activity that is done under the sun.

4 I have seen that every labor and every ⁵skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a man and his neighbor. This too is ⁶vanity and striving after wind.

5 The fool ⁷folds his hands and ⁸consumes his own flesh.

6 One hand full of rest is ⁹better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind.

7 Then I looked again at vanity under the sun.

8 There was a certain man without a dependent, having neither * a son nor a brother, yet there was no end to all his labor. Indeed, ¹⁰his eyes were not satisfied with riches and he never asked, "And ¹¹for whom am I laboring and depriving myself of pleasure?" This too is vanity and it is a ¹²grievous task.

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

10 For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.

11 Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but ¹³how can one be warm alone?

12 And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist * him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.

13 A ¹⁴poor yet wise lad is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive instruction.

14 For he has come ¹⁵out of prison * to become king, even though he was born poor in his kingdom.

15 I have seen all the living under the sun throng to the side of the second lad who replaces * him.

16 There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them, and even the ones who will come later will not be happy with him, for this too is ¹⁶vanity and striving after wind.

Ecclesiastes 4 Commentary

Chapter 4

Miseries from oppression. (1-3) troubles from envy. (4-6) The folly of covetousness. (7,8) The advantages of mutual assistance. (9-12) the changes of royalty. (13-16)

Verses 1-3 It grieved Solomon to see might prevail against right. Wherever we turn, we see melancholy proofs of the wickedness and misery of mankind, who try to create trouble to themselves and to each other. Being thus hardly used, men are tempted to hate and despise life. But a good man, though badly off while in this world, cannot have cause to wish he had never been born, since he is glorifying the Lord, even in the fires, and will be happy at last, for ever happy. Ungodly men have most cause to wish the continuance of life with all its vexations, as a far more miserable condition awaits them if they die in their sins. If human and worldly things were our chief good, not to exist would be preferable to life, considering the various oppressions here below.

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. They often become great and prosperous, but this excites envy and opposition. Others, seeing the vexations of an active course, foolishly expect more satisfaction in sloth and idleness. But idleness is a sin that is its own punishment. Let us by honest industry lay hold on the handful, that we may not want necessaries, but not grasp at both hands full, which would only create vexation of spirit. Moderate pains and gains do best.

Verses 7-8 Frequently, the more men have, the more they would have; and on this they are so intent, that they get no enjoyment from what they have. Selfishness is the cause of this evil. A selfish man cares for nobody; there is none to take care of but himself, yet he will scarcely allow necessary rest to himself, and the people he employs. He never thinks he has enough. He has enough for his calling, for his family, but he has not enough for his eyes. Many are so set upon the world, that in pursuit of it they bereave themselves, not only of the favour of God and eternal life, but of the pleasures of this life. The distant relations or strangers who inherit such a man's wealth, never thank him. Covetousness gathers strength by time and habit; men tottering on the brink of the grave, grow more grasping and griping. Alas, and how often do we see men professing to be followers of Him, who, "though he was rich, for our sakes became poor," anxiously scraping money together and holding it fast, excusing themselves by common-place talking about the necessity of care, and the danger of extravagance!

Verses 9-12 Surely he has more satisfaction in life, who labours hard to maintain those he loves, than the miser has in his toil. In all things union tends to success and safety, but above all, the union of Christians. They assist each other by encouragement, or friendly reproof. They warm each other's hearts while they converse together of the love of Christ, or join in singing his praises. Then let us improve our opportunities of Christian fellowship. In these things all is not vanity, though there will be some alloy as long as we are under the sun. Where two are closely joined in holy love and fellowship, Christ will by his Spirit come to them; then there is a threefold cord.

Verses 13-16 People are never long easy and satisfied; they are fond of changes. This is no new thing. Princes see themselves slighted by those they have studied to oblige; this is vanity and vexation of spirit. But the willing servants of the Lord Jesus, our King, rejoice in him alone, and they will love Him more and more to all eternity.

Cross References

• 1. Job 35:9; Psalms 12:5; Ecclesiastes 3:16; Ecclesiastes 5:8; Isaiah 5:7
• 2. Jeremiah 16:7; Lamentations 1:9
• 3. Job 3:11-26; Ecclesiastes 2:17; Ecclesiastes 7:1
• 4. Job 3:11-22; Ecclesiastes 6:3; Luke 23:29
• 5. Ecclesiastes 2:21
• 6. Ecclesiastes 1:14
• 7. Proverbs 6:10; Proverbs 24:33
• 8. Isaiah 9:20
• 9. Proverbs 15:16, 17; Proverbs 16:8
• 10. Proverbs 27:20; Ecclesiastes 1:8; Ecclesiastes 5:10
• 11. Ecclesiastes 2:21
• 12. Ecclesiastes 1:13
• 13. 1 Kings 1:1-4
• 14. Ecclesiastes 7:19; Ecclesiastes 9:15
• 15. Gen 41:14, 41-43
• 16. Ecclesiastes 1:14

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "futility," and so throughout the ch
• [b]. Lit "second"
• [c]. Lit "they fall"
• [d]. Lit "a second"
• [e]. Lit "have warmth"
• [f]. Lit "he"
• [g]. Or "warning"
• [h]. Lit "stands in his stead"

Chapter Summary

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.