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. Ver. 1. _So I returned, and considered._] Here is a second in... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive. Ver. 2. _Wherefore I praised the dead._] Because they are out of the reach of wrong doers; and if dead in the Lord, they have "entered into peace, they do rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprigh... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 3. _Yea, better is he than both they._] The heathen could say, _Optimum non nasci: proximum mori._ Life is certainly a blessing of God, though never so calamitous. Why is li... [ Continue Reading ]
Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This [is] also vanity and vexation of spirit. Ver. 4. _That for this a man is envied of his neighbour._] This is another piece of life's vanity; that, as greater men will lie heavy upon you and op... [ Continue Reading ]
The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. Ver. 5. _The fool foldeth his hands together._] A graphical and lively description of a sluggard, fitly called a fool (φαυλος), a naughty person. "Thou _idle_ and _evil_ servant." Mat 25:26 God puts no difference between _nequaquam_ and... [ Continue Reading ]
Better [is] an handful [with] quietness, than both the hands full [with] travail and vexation of spirit. Ver. 6. _Better is an handful with quietness._] This is the sluggard's plea, whereby he bolstereth himself up in his wickedness, and would make you believe that he did, _non sine ratione insanir... [ Continue Reading ]
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun. Ver. 7. _Then I returned, and saw vanity, &c., _] _i.e., _ Another extreme of vanity, visible wherever the sun is seen. _Dum vitant stulti vitium in contraria currant:_ Fools while they shun the sands rush upon the rocks, - as Herod would needs preve... [ Continue Reading ]
There is one [alone], and [there is] not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet [is there] no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither [saith he], For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This [is] also vanity, yea, it [is] a sore travail. Ve... [ Continue Reading ]
_Two [are] better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour._ Ver. 9. _Two are better than one._] Friendly society is far beyond that wretched "aloneness" of the covetous wretch; Ecc 4:8 he "joins house to house and land to land, that he may live alone in the midst of the earth." I... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 10. _For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow._] Provided that they hold together and be both of a mind. That which is stronger shoreth up that... [ Continue Reading ]
Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm [alone]? Ver. 11. _Again, if two lie together, then they have heat._] Heat of zeal and good affection. "Did not our hearts _burn_ within us," said those two disciples, when Christ once made the third with them, and by holy con... [ Continue Reading ]
And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ver. 12. _And if one prevail against him, &c._] _Vis unita fortior._ God bade Gideon to go down to the camp of the Midianites, and if he feared to go, then to take with him his servant Phurah. Jonat... [ Continue Reading ]
Better [is] a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished. Ver. 13. _Better is a poor and wise child._] Such as was Joseph, David, Daniel, and his three comrades, &c.; apt to learn, ready to receive instruction, and as careful to follow it. And well doth the P... [ Continue Reading ]
For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also [he that is] born in his kingdom becometh poor. Ver. 14. _For out of prison he cometh to reign._] As Valentinian the emperor; Sultan Mustapha the great Turk, A.D. 1622; our Henry IV, who was crowned the very same day that, the year before, he had b... [ Continue Reading ]
I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead. Ver. 15. _I considered all the living, &c._] He means the multitude, that shallow brained, but great and many headed beast, making defection from their old prince, though never so prudent,... [ Continue Reading ]
__ Ecclesiastes 4:16 _[There is] no end of all the people, [even] of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also [is] vanity and vexation of spirit._ Ver. 16. _There is no end of all the people,_] _i.e., _ They are infinitely discontented an... [ Continue Reading ]