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. 2 Therefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are yet alive. 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. 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. 5 The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself. 6 Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind. 7 Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun. 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. 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 who is alone when he falls, and doesn't have another to lift him up. 11 Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one keep warm alone? 12 If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. 13 Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn't know how to receive admonition any more. 14 For out of prison he came forth to be king; yes, even in his kingdom he was born poor. 15 I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him. 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.
Having arrived Ecclesiastes 3:22 at a partial answer to his question Ecclesiastes 1:3; namely, that there is positive good (a portion) in that satisfaction which is found in working, Solomon now turns to the case of such happiness being interrupted and reduced to vanity by various contingencies - by oppression Ecclesiastes 4:1-3; by envy Ecclesiastes 4:4-6; by loneliness Ecclesiastes 4:7-12; and by decay of working power Ecclesiastes 4:13-16. The first two instances seem taken from the lower ranks of life, and the last two derived from the higher ranks of life.
The vanity of life is increased by oppression, Ecclesiastes 4:1-3; by envy, Ecclesiastes 4:4; by idleness, Ecclesiastes 4:5. The misery of a solitary life, and the advantages of society, Ecclesiastes 4:6-12. A poor and wise child; better than an old and foolish king, Ecclesiastes 4:13. The uncertainty of popular favor, Ecclesiastes 4:14-16.
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, Ecclesiastes 4:1; Another vanity he observes, that whereas men expect to be happy by their diligence and industry, this brings upon them the envy of others, Ecclesiastes 4:4; hence some, on the other hand, place their happiness in sloth and ease, which is another vanity, Ecclesiastes 4:5; and others again in covetousness; who are described by their unsocial life, toilsome labour, unsatisfied desires, and withholding good things from themselves, Ecclesiastes 4:7; upon which some things are said, to show the benefits of a social life, Ecclesiastes 4:9. 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, Ecclesiastes 4:13; and through the fickleness of the people, who are soon weary of a prince on the throne, and court his successor, Ecclesiastes 4:15
(Ecclesiastes 4:1-3) Miseries from oppression.
(Ecclesiastes 4:4-6) Troubles from envy.
(Ecclesiastes 4:7, Ecclesiastes 4:8) The folly of covetousness.
(Ecclesiastes 4:9-12) The advantages of mutual assistance.
(Ecclesiastes 4:13-16) The changes of royalty.
*More commentary available by clicking individual verses.