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Text -- Ecclesiastes 4:13 (NET)

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Context
Labor Motivated by Prestige-Seeking
4:13 A poor but wise youth is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive advice.
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Dictionary Themes and Topics: WISDOM | Rulers | Poor | Philosophy | Life | Instruction | Children | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Wesley , JFB , Clarke , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes


Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Keil-Delitzsch , Constable

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Wesley: Ecc 4:13 - -- More happy. Now he proceeds to another vanity, That of honour and power.

More happy. Now he proceeds to another vanity, That of honour and power.

Wesley: Ecc 4:13 - -- Who hath neither wisdom to govern himself, nor to receive the counsels of wiser men.

Who hath neither wisdom to govern himself, nor to receive the counsels of wiser men.

JFB: Ecc 4:13 - -- The "threefold cord" [Ecc 4:12] of social ties suggests the subject of civil government. In this case too, he concludes that kingly power confers no l...

The "threefold cord" [Ecc 4:12] of social ties suggests the subject of civil government. In this case too, he concludes that kingly power confers no lasting happiness. The "wise" child, though a supposed case of Solomon, answers, in the event foreseen by the Holy Ghost, to Jeroboam, then a poor but valiant youth, once a "servant" of Solomon, and (1Ki 11:26-40) appointed by God through the prophet Ahijah to be heir of the kingdom of the ten tribes about to be rent from Rehoboam. The "old and foolish king" answers to Solomon himself, who had lost his wisdom, when, in defiance of two warnings of God (1Ki 3:14; 1Ki 9:2-9), he forsook God.

JFB: Ecc 4:13 - -- Knows not yet how to take warning (see Margin) God had by Ahijah already intimated the judgment coming on Solomon (1Ki 11:11-13).

Knows not yet how to take warning (see Margin) God had by Ahijah already intimated the judgment coming on Solomon (1Ki 11:11-13).

Clarke: Ecc 4:13 - -- Better is a poor and a wise child - The Targum applies this to Abraham. "Abraham was a poor child of only three years of age; but he had the spirit ...

Better is a poor and a wise child - The Targum applies this to Abraham. "Abraham was a poor child of only three years of age; but he had the spirit of prophecy, and he refused to worship the idols which the old foolish king - Nimrod - had set up; therefore Nimrod cast him into a furnace of fire. But the Lord worked a miracle and delivered him. Yet here was no knowledge in Nimrod, and he would not be admonished."The Targum proceeds:

TSK: Ecc 4:13 - -- is a poor : Ecc 9:15, Ecc 9:16; Gen 37:2; Pro 19:1, Pro 28:6, Pro 28:15, Pro 28:16 will no more be : Heb. knoweth not to be, 1Ki 22:8; 2Ch 16:9, 2Ch 1...

is a poor : Ecc 9:15, Ecc 9:16; Gen 37:2; Pro 19:1, Pro 28:6, Pro 28:15, Pro 28:16

will no more be : Heb. knoweth not to be, 1Ki 22:8; 2Ch 16:9, 2Ch 16:10, 2Ch 24:20-22, 2Ch 25:16

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Ecc 4:13-16 - -- These verses set forth the vanity of earthly prosperity even on a throne. Opinion as to their application is chiefly divided between considering the...

These verses set forth the vanity of earthly prosperity even on a throne. Opinion as to their application is chiefly divided between considering them a parable or fiction like that of the childless man in Ecc 4:8 : or as setting forth first the vicissitudes of royal life in two proverbial sayings Ecc 4:13-14, and then Ecc 4:15-16, the vicissitudes or procession of the whole human race, one generation giving place to another, Which in its turn will be forgotten by its successor. On the whole, the first appears to have the better claim.

Ecc 4:13

Child - Rather, young man.

Ecc 4:14

Rather: For out of the house of bondage he goes forth to be a king; although he was born poor in his kingdom, i. e., in the country over which he became king.

Ecc 4:15

I considered ... - literally, I saw "all the population of the young man’ s kingdom."

The second child - This second youth is generally understood to be identical with the one mentioned in Ecc 4:13.

Ecc 4:16

There is - Rather: There was.

That have been before them - Rather, before whom he was, i. e., at the head of whom the young king was. Compare Mic 2:13.

They also that ... him - i. e., The next generation shall forget this chosen king.

Poole: Ecc 4:13 - -- Better more happy. Now he proceeds to another vanity, even that of honour and power, and of the highest places. A poor child who is doubly contempt...

Better more happy. Now he proceeds to another vanity, even that of honour and power, and of the highest places.

A poor child who is doubly contemptible, both for his age, and for his poverty.

An old king venerable both for his age and gravity, and for his royal dignity. So that the comparison is made with the greatest disadvantage that may be.

Who will no more be admonished who hath neither wisdom to govern himself, nor to receive the counsels or admonitions of wiser men, but is foolish, and wilful, and incorrigible.

Haydock: Ecc 4:13 - -- Foolish. Great wisdom and prudence is required of kings; who, like others, are exposed to many vicissitudes.

Foolish. Great wisdom and prudence is required of kings; who, like others, are exposed to many vicissitudes.

Gill: Ecc 4:13 - -- Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king,.... The wise man proceeds to show the vanity of worldly power and dignity, in the hig...

Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king,.... The wise man proceeds to show the vanity of worldly power and dignity, in the highest instance of it, which is kingly; and, in order to illustrate and exemplify this, he supposes, on the one hand, a person possessed of royal honour; who has long enjoyed it, is settled in his kingdom, and advanced in years; and who otherwise, for his gravity and dignity, would be venerable; but that he is foolish, a person of a mean genius and small capacity; has but little knowledge of government, or but little versed in the arts of it, though he has held the reins of it long in his hand; and, which is worst of all, is vicious and wicked: on the other hand, he supposes one that is in his tender years, not yet arrived to manhood; and so may be thought to be giddy and inexperienced, and therefore taken but little notice of; and especially being poor, becomes contemptible, as well as labours under the disadvantage of a poor education; his parents poor, and he not able to get books and masters to teach him knowledge; nor to travel abroad to see the world, and make his observations on men and things; and yet being wise, having a good genius, which he improves in the best manner he can, to his own profit, and to make himself useful in the world; and especially if he is wise and knowing in the best things, and fears God, and serves him; he is more happy, in his present state and circumstances, than the king before described is in his, and is fitter to take his place, and be a king, than he is; for though he is young, yet wise, and improving in knowledge, and willing to be advised and counselled by others, older and wiser than himself; he is much to be preferred to one that is old and foolish;

who will no more be admonished; or, "knows not to be admonished any more" d: he neither knows how to give nor take advice; he is impatient of all counsel; cannot bear any admonition; is stubborn and self-willed, and resolved to take his own way. The Jews, in their Midrash, Jarchi, and others, interpret it, allegorically, of the good and evil imagination in men, the principle of grace, and the corruption of nature; the one is the new man, the other the old man; the new man is better than old Adam: the Targum applies it to Abraham and Nimrod; the former is the poor and wise child, that feared God, and worshipped him early; the latter, the old and foolish king, who was an idolater, and refused to be admonished of his idolatry; and so the Midrash.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Ecc 4:1-16 - --1 Vanity is increased unto men by oppression;4 by envy;5 by idleness;7 by covetousness;9 by solitariness;13 by wilfulness.

MHCC: Ecc 4:13-16 - --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 t...

Matthew Henry: Ecc 4:13-16 - -- Solomon was himself a king, and therefore may be allowed to speak more freely than another concerning the vanity of kingly state and dignity, which ...

Keil-Delitzsch: Ecc 4:13 - -- "Better is a youth poor and wise, than a king old and foolish, who no longer understands how to be warned,"- i.e. , who increases his folly by this...

Constable: Ecc 2:18--6:10 - --B. General Observations 2:18-6:9 Thus far Solomon had reflected on the futility of all human endeavor ge...

Constable: Ecc 4:4-16 - --3. The motivations of labor 4:4-16 The phrase "vanity and striving after wind" (vv. 4, 16) brack...

Constable: Ecc 4:13-16 - --Position and prestige 4:13-16 It is also futile to work to gain advancement and populari...

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Introduction / Outline

JFB: Ecclesiastes (Book Introduction) The Hebrew title is Koheleth, which the speaker in it applies to himself (Ecc 1:12), "I, Koheleth, was king over Israel." It means an Assembler or Con...

JFB: Ecclesiastes (Outline) INTRODUCTION. (Ecc. 1:1-18)

TSK: Ecclesiastes 4 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Ecc 4:1, Vanity is increased unto men by oppression; Ecc 4:4, by envy; Ecc 4:5, by idleness; Ecc 4:7, by covetousness; Ecc 4:9, by solita...

Poole: Ecclesiastes 4 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 4 The vanity of oppression, by reason of which the dead and the unborn are better than the living, Ecc 4:1-3 . Of envy, sloth, quarrel, Ecc...

MHCC: Ecclesiastes (Book Introduction) The name of this book signifies " The Preacher." The wisdom of God here preaches to us, speaking by Solomon, who it is evident was the author. At the...

MHCC: Ecclesiastes 4 (Chapter Introduction) (Ecc 4:1-3) Miseries from oppression. (Ecc 4:4-6) Troubles from envy. (Ecc 4:7, Ecc 4:8) The folly of covetousness. (Ecc 4:9-12) The advantages of ...

Matthew Henry: Ecclesiastes (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Book of Ecclesiastes We are still among Solomon's happy men, his happy servants, that stood contin...

Matthew Henry: Ecclesiastes 4 (Chapter Introduction) Solomon, having shown the vanity of this world in the temptation which those in power feel to oppress and trample upon their subjects, here further...

Constable: Ecclesiastes (Book Introduction) Introduction Title The title of this book in the Hebrew text is all of verse 1. The Se...

Constable: Ecclesiastes (Outline)

Constable: Ecclesiastes Ecclesiastes Bibliography Archer, Gleason L., Jr. "The Linguistic Evidence for the Date of Ecclesiastes'." Jour...

Haydock: Ecclesiastes (Book Introduction) ECCLESIASTES. INTRODUCTION. This Book is called Ecclesiastes, or the preacher, (in Hebrew, Coheleth ) because in it Solomon, as an excelle...

Gill: Ecclesiastes (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO ECCLESIASTES This book has been universally received into the canon of the Scriptures, by Jews and Christians. The former, indeed, ...

Gill: Ecclesiastes 4 (Chapter Introduction) 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...

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