Ecclesiastes 4
Ecclesiastes 4 presents pivotal events and lessons, emphasizing themes like faith, obedience, and God’s faithful guidance.
Summary
Ecclesiastes 4 continues the story of Ecclesiastes, revealing key themes of faith, obedience, and God’s promise-keeping. This chapter illustrates the human response to divine commands, showing both trust and failure, and demonstrates God’s mercy and justice. As part of the larger narrative, it lays groundwork for understanding God’s covenant relationship with His people and points forward to the hope of redemption. Readers are encouraged to reflect on their own lives, to trust in God’s plans, and to live in faithful obedience, finding hope in His unchanging character.
Traditionally attributed to Solomon (10th century BC). Reflects on meaning and purpose.
Ecclesiastes 4: KJV Commentary and Summary
1 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.
2 Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
3 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.
4 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.
5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
6 Better [is] an handful [with] quietness, than both the hands full [with] travail and vexation of spirit.
7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
8 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.
9 Two [are] better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
10 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.
11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm [alone]?
12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
13 Better [is] a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
14 For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also [he that is] born in his kingdom becometh poor.
15 I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
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.
Faith, Obedience, God’s Promises, Judgment, Mercy, Hope
Ecclesiastes 4:1 – Highlights key themes of faith and God’s interaction with His people.; Ecclesiastes 4:9 – Highlights key themes of faith and God’s interaction with His people.; Ecclesiastes 4:16 – Highlights key themes of faith and God’s interaction with His people.