Reading Plan · Day 196
Changes this passage only. Set your default for every passage.
Ecclesiastes 4-6
Day 196
Previously · Day 195 · Ecclesiastes 1-3
The previous day's reading covered Solomon's unprofitable foundation that the Book of Ecclesiastes was built upon. These next three chapters showed the process for Solomon's very unprofitable conclusion...
Day 196 Read
Where You Stopped
Ecclesiastes 4
1Then I returned and saw 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.
1So 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.
Commentary · verse 1
Doctrines on this passage
2Wherefore I praised the dead that have been long dead more than the living that are yet alive; 3yea, better than them both did I esteem him that hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
2Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
3Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
Commentary · verses 2-3
Somehow, Solomon's response to others needing help was to focus on himself. Solomon thought it was better to die and not see evil than to live and see evil…"under the sun." Was Solomon considering life after that which was lived "under the sun"?
4Then I saw all labor and every skilful work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
5The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
6Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and striving after wind.
7Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
8There is one that is alone, and he hath not a second; yea, he hath neither son nor brother; yet is there no end of all his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches. For whom then, saith he, do I labor, and deprive my soul of good? This also is vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
9Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.
4Again, 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.
5The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
6Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
7Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
8There 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.
9Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
Commentary · verses 4-9
Two were better than one because they would have more reward. Did Solomon see reward as long term (Reward) or only short term?...
10For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift him up.
11Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm alone?
10For 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.
11Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
Commentary · verses 10-11
...or, was Solomon presenting a circumstance that was less vain? It was unprofitable to live alone, and less unprofitable to live in misery with another person. Was it even less unprofitable to live in misery with two other people?
12And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
12And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Commentary · verse 12
Yes, Solomon believed living in misery with two others was less unprofitable than living in misery with one other. "A threefold cord is not quickly broken" is often used in traditional wedding ceremonies. The threefold cord being God, husband, and wife. However, do you believe that all marriages were put together by God? Were all marriages a "threefold cord"? Was this Solomon's meaning behind that statement?
Doctrines on this passage
13Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more.
14For out of prison he came forth to be king; yea, even in his kingdom he was born poor.
15I saw all the living that walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second, that stood up in his stead.
13Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
14For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
15I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
Commentary · verses 13-15
Solomon said he had considered all the living. Was he willing to consider he had not?
16There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was: yet they that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
16There 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.
Commentary · verse 16
Solomon recognized others were more unprofitable than him. They lived in misery. His answer was to explain how to limit the unprofitability. However, both Solomon and the needy could have been profitable if Solomon had focused on strengthening their arm...
Where You Stopped
Ecclesiastes 5
1Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God; for to draw nigh to hear is better than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they know not that they do evil.
1Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.
Commentary · verse 1
Be reverent when going to God and be ready to hear (listen, obey, understand). Solomon now turned his focus from others to God...
2Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
3For a dream cometh with a multitude of business, and a fool’s voice with a multitude of words.
2Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
3For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.
Commentary · verses 2-3
A fool was not careful and caring with his words because a fool had no understanding.
4When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou vowest.
5Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
4When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.
5Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
Commentary · verses 4-5
When you make a vow (SAY), pay it (DO). It was better to not vow at all than to vow and not pay. When you SAY you will do something, you ought to DO it.
6Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands?
7For in the multitude of dreams there are vanities, and in many words: but fear thou God.
6Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?
7For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.
Commentary · verses 6-7
Again, Solomon's approach was not one of profitability, but of limiting unprofitability. Solomon showed how to be less unprofitable in our dealings with God. Solomon, like Job, did not think we could interact with God in a profitable manner.
8If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and the violent taking away of justice and righteousness in a province, marvel not at the matter: for one higher than the high regardeth; and there are higher than they.
9Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.
8If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.
9Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.
Commentary · verses 8-9
Solomon did not stay on the topic of God very long. Verses 8-9 began about the oppression of the poor but transitioned to the role of the king being "to be served" and not "to serve." Solomon was not facilitating the purpose and progress of others. He was not being a leader. In fact, Solomon was aware that the poor were oppressed and his rationalization was that God saw it so the king did not need to deal with it. The king was served by the field. Solomon rationalized why he did not need to strengthen the arm of the poor and needy. He had completely justified himself in doing the four causes of judgment. There was no way for Solomon to recover from this. Everything we will read from this point on was an effect of a person who was completely justified in his own eyes...
Doctrines on this passage
10He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance, with increase: this also is vanity.
11When goods increase, they are increased that eat them; and what advantage is there to the owner thereof, save the beholding of them with his eyes?
10He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
11When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?
Commentary · verses 10-11
Solomon was focused on the satisfaction he received from physical things. He was right that this satisfaction died. However, we ought to seek satisfaction by making the spiritual our cause...our focus. Solomon also rationalized why he did not give to the poor: because it would only lead to dissatisfaction. It was almost like Solomon was telling the poor not to have anything because he had everything and it made him unhappy. Solomon ought to have helped the poor not be poor, which would have allowed them to focus on spiritual things instead of earthly things for survival. It also would have caused Solomon to focus on spiritual things.
12The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much; but the fulness of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
13There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept by the owner thereof to his hurt:
12The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
13There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.
Commentary · verses 12-13
Solomon saw keeping your riches to yourself as a grievous evil. Verse 12 almost implied the poor who worked were less unprofitable than the rich because at least they got a good night's sleep. Again, this would be a rationalization for why Solomon could convince himself he was helping the poor by not giving to them.
14and those riches perish by evil adventure; and if he hath begotten a son, there is nothing in his hand.
15As he came forth from his mother’s womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labor, which he may carry away in his hand.
14But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.
15As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.
Commentary · verses 14-15
Man would take nothing with him when he was dead. Solomon was focused on the physical, so all of his conclusions resulted in unprofitability. However, it is possible to have spiritual reward that lasts for eternity after we physically die.
16And this also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that he laboreth for the wind?
17All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he is sore vexed, and hath sickness and wrath.
18Behold, that which I have seen to be good and to be comely is for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all his labor, wherein he laboreth under the sun, all the days of his life which God hath given him: for this is his portion.
16And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?
17All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.
18Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.
Commentary · verses 16-18
"Fullness of Bread" - "good for food" (Eve).
19Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God.
19Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.
Commentary · verse 19
Solomon was justifying himself.
20For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.
20For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.
Commentary · verse 20
Solomon began this chapter talking about how we cannot be profitable interacting with God. However, the chapter quickly turned into a rationalization for why Solomon did not need to help the needy. Solomon was not settled with his own answer to the problem of the poor and needy. It was almost like Solomon's unconscious brain knew the solution to his problem was helping the needy...and it (and God?) kept bringing him back to this contradiction regardless of whatever Solomon was focused on.
Where You Stopped
Ecclesiastes 6
1There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is heavy upon men: 2a man to whom God giveth riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacketh nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but an alien eateth it; this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.
1There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men:
2A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.
Commentary · verses 1-2
This chapter again began focused on God, but almost immediately moved to a discussion about wealth and unprofitability. Solomon identified another way wealth did not lead to profitability. The evil Solomon mentioned here was man being given riches but not being able to spend them. This was short term and focused on effects.
3If a man beget a hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul be not filled with good, and moreover he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he:
3If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he.
Commentary · verse 3
Again, the focus was on the physical and short term gain. Solomon was stating that if a man was not filled with good while he lived many years it was better to have been an "untimely birth" (abortion, miscarriage). Again, Solomon's focus was on limiting the unprofitability. He had no solutions for how to be profitable.
4for it cometh in vanity, and departeth in darkness, and the name thereof is covered with darkness; 5moreover it hath not seen the sun nor known it; this hath rest rather than the other: 6yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, and yet enjoy no good, do not all go to one place?
4For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness.
5Moreover he hath not seen the sun, nor known any thing: this hath more rest than the other.
6Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place?
Commentary · verses 4-6
Solomon was saying that it really did not matter how long you lived or what you have enjoyed, all people die. Did he recognize life after our physical death? Did he recognize Justice would be resolved?
7All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.
7All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.
Commentary · verse 7
Focusing on the physical led to never being fully satisfied. Current happiness studies confirm this same point. Why do people still try to make this method satisfying?
8For what advantage hath the wise more than the fool? or what hath the poor man, that knoweth how to walk before the living?
9Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
10Whatsoever hath been, the name thereof was given long ago; and it is known what man is; neither can he contend with him that is mightier than he.
11Seeing there are many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?
12For who knoweth what is good for man in his life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
8For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?
9Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
10That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he.
11Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?
12For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
Commentary · verses 8-12
Wow, Solomon's thinking took a very negative turn. Solomon said that we did not know what was good for our brief lives.
Commentary · verse 12
This day's reading covered Solomon's belief that he built on his faulty foundation from the first three chapters: No one could know the profitable solution. The best we could do with God and each other was limit our unprofitability. Solomon thought he was doing his part by not helping the needy.
Solomon recognized that there were poor/needy people with no "comforter." Did he consider strengthening them?