Ecclesiastes 4

Ecclesiastes 4:1

SO I returned] He maketh here another discourse with himself, concerning the tyranny of them that oppresse the poor.

oppressions that are done under the sun] Chap. 5. 8, &c.

the tears of such as were oppressed] Their hard usage brought forth not onely sighs, but tears also.

on 〈◊〉 side of their oppressours there was power] Their adversaries had power to hurt them, but none had pity to relieve them.

side] Heb. hand.

Ecclesiastes 4:2

Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead, more then the living which are yet alive] Job 3. 17, &c.

Ecclesiastes 4:3

Yea, better is he then both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun] Job 3. 11, 16, 21.

better is he then both they, which hath not yet been] For he hath not felt that that the living do, and dead have felt.

Ecclesiastes 4:4

and every right work] Heb. all the rightnesse of work. The more a man thrives by honest labour, the more he is envied.

for this a man is envied of his neighbour] Heb. this is the envy of a man from his neighbour.

Ecclesiastes 4:5

The fool foldeth his hands together] Proverbs 6:10. and Proverbs 24:33.

and eateth his own flesh] His idlenesse even consumes and eats him out.

Ecclesiastes 4:6

Better is an handfull with quietnesse, &c.] Prov. 15. 16, 17. and 16. 8. He abuseth a good ground. Seeing there is vexation in all labour, therefore he will rather starve, then work.

Ecclesiastes 4:8

neither is his eye satisfied with riches] For he can but see it, he cannot use all his wealth, and yet he is vexed that he sees no more, chap. 1. 8. Covetousnesse is the lust of the eye, 1 John 2:16.

Ecclesiastes 4:9

Two are letter then one] Forasmuch, as when a man is alone, he can neither help himself nor others, he sheweth, That it is better to live in mutuall society, to the intent, that men may be helpfull mutually one to another, and that their goods may encrease: which is so illustrated by the instances following, as that they are to be understood with their due qualification.

Ecclesiastes 4:13

who will no more be admonished] Heb. who knoweth not to be admonished. That neither knows how to rule well, nor will not be advised by any counsell.

Ecclesiastes 4:14

out of prison he cometh to reign] That is, from a poor and base estate: or, out of trouble and prison, as Joseph did, Genesis 41:14.

he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor] Meaning, that is born a king.

Ecclesiastes 4:15

I considered all the living] Either in generall he means, that he had considered that the heirs, many times, fared never the better for their fathers labours; or else in particular, that many, being weary of the government of an old king, joyn with his son that must succeed him; and afterwards, finding as little content in him, wish for another. Thus it hath been in all ages, and will be still.