Ecclesiastes 4:13-16

4. Keep in mind that prestigious positions will soon be forgotten. Ecclesiastes 4:13-16

TEXT 4:13-16

13

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

14

For he has come out 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 vanity and striving after wind.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 4:13-16

107.

What adjectives describe the lad? In contrast, how is the king described?

108.

What has the king lost the ability to do?

109.

Under what circumstances was the lad born?

110.

Where did he come from to become king?

111.

To whom did the throng give allegiance?

112.

What will happen to the popularity of the lad who became king?

113.

Such an experience is described in what two ways (Ecclesiastes 4:16)?

PARAPHRASE 4:13-16

A young man, poor in earthly treasures but rich in wisdom, is better than a king, if the king is old and foolish and will no longer listen to reason or heed the warning of his counselors. Not only does the young lad rise from poverty to become king in the very land where he was born, but he comes out of prison to assume the highest position in the land. The young man's popularity was great. As successor to the throne, he drew multitudes to his side. He now stands in the former king's stead and his name is praised throughout the land. As great as he was in the eyes of his followers, and as many as sang his praises in his hour of triumph, there is tragedy which befell him too. The next generation will not rejoice in him. They will care nothing about him. I view this as another example of futility and grasping at the wind.

COMMENT 4:13-16

Although the subject changes from the deceitfulness of riches to the fleeting popularity of even a king, the same general lesson is pursued. Solomon is setting forth argument after argument to substantiate the fact that life lived under the sun is futile. The example is of the poor lad who assumes leadership of the land and is first praised and then forgotten. Solomon explains it once again in detail and then identifies such activity as vanity and striving after wind. The example not only reveals the lack of personal fulfillment on the part of the former king and the lad who became king, but it also reveals the fickle attitude of citizens of the kingdom. One is immediately reminded of the behaviour of the Jews in the days of Jesus when at one moment they are proclaiming Him as the Son of David, and the one who comes in the name of the Lord (Matthew 21:9), and shortly after the same people are crying for his blood (Matthew 26:66).

Many have interpreted this section as prophetic, stating that the fulfillment came upon Solomon's death and the coming of Jeroboam to reign over the ten tribes to the north. (Cf. discussion on Ecclesiastes 2:18) While the parallel is evident and one would not want to argue strenuously against such an interpretation, the important lesson in this section should not be overlooked. Of course, if Solomon is the king who is old and foolish, and Jeroboam is the one who comes out of prison (figurative for his exile in Egypt), then the futility of the entire experience becomes much more exasperating to Solomon. It would not take much imagination to hear him declare, Vanity! Vanity! Vanity!

Ecclesiastes 4:13 The two extremes are clearly stated. The lad is poor, in prison, yet wise. The king is old, foolish and set in his ways. The country will be better served by the lad than the king. It is possible that the situation could be an historical one unknown to us today but clearly seen by those in the days of Solomon. A neighboring country could have just experienced such a change of rule. But neither is this important to the understanding of the text.

The present king will no longer accept advice or counsel. Undoubtedly he began his rule humbly which is typical of many in the early days of control. However he has grown self-sufficient and no longer will he entertain ideas or suggestions. The term kesil (foolish) actually means he proved himself to be a stupid fool. Although there are three words in the Hebrew translated fool in our language, this particular one is used some 24 times in Proverbs alone. It is not a complimentary term as one may conclude by reading the references where it is used in Ecclesiastes: Ecclesiastes 2:14-16; Ecclesiastes 4:5; Ecclesiastes 4:13; Ecclesiastes 6:8; Ecclesiastes 7:6; Ecclesiastes 10:12; Ecclesiastes 10:15.

It does not necessarily follow that it is because of the wisdom on the part of the young man, through crafty and cunning ways, that he became king. It is just that the land is better off with such a lad who is wise than a king who has become foolish.

Ecclesiastes 4:14 It is important to Solomon's conclusion that he demonstrate the extremes, In this verse he pictures the lad as having been shut up in prison. One wonders if the king saw him as a threat to his throne and had him imprisoned. On the other hand, he was born in the most unlikely home to ascend to the throne. He was born a citizen of the land, but in very poor circumstances. To realize that one can rise from unlikely circumstances to become king, to supplant one who already has control, demonstrates the lack of security of life even in the highest office of the land. This is what Solomon intended to communicate to his readers.

Ecclesiastes 4:15 For a little while the new king will bask in the moment of triumph. He may have dreams of enduring, being remembered and his name proclaimed throughout the land for the remainder of his days, but such a dream will not become a reality under the sun! His success, like the miser's money, glistens only when the sun shines. Once the fleeting moment of success is past and the multitudes realize that what they have is another human being like themselves, his popularity will be a thing of the past.

Ecclesiastes 4:16 So typical of the word vanity is this verse. In one short breath one reads of the multitude thronging to his side, singing his praises and leading him to believe that he is indeed their redeemer. In the same short verse, however, the scene has changed completely and we picture the very next generation asking, Who is he? They do not have the same respect for him and are no longer happy or satisfied with his rule. The final utterance of the Preacher in this section is the oft-repeated conclusion of all matters experienced under the sun. He declares, This too is vanity!

FACT QUESTIONS 4:13-16

193.

What general lesson does the example of the lad teach us?

194.

Why did the citizens of the country accept the young lad? Why later was he rejected?

195.

Why was the first king rejected?

196.

How does Solomon identify this whole affair?

197.

If the lad who came out of prison is to be understood in a prophetic sense, who would he be, and where did he come from? Discuss.

198.

How would this same verse be explained if it were interpreted historically?

199.

What is the meaning of the Hebrew term kesil?

200.

In the text, on whom does this term reflect?

201.

What demonstrates the insecurity of the king's office?

202.

The miser's money and the young lad's success have what in common?

203.

What is Solomon's final comment in this section?