_A.M. 3027. B.C. 977._ The misery of the oppressed and the oppressor, Ecclesiastes 4:1. Of being envied, which occasions sloth in others, Ecclesiastes 4:4. The folly of hoarding up wealth, Ecclesiastes 4:7; Ecclesiastes 4:8. The benefit of society, Ecclesiastes 4:9. The mutability even of the royal... [ Continue Reading ]
_So I returned, and considered_ I considered again more seriously; _all the oppressions under the sun_ Whether by princes, magistrates, or other potent persons; _and the tears of such as were oppressed_ Their grievous sufferings, sighs, and groans. _And they had no comforter_ None afforded them eith... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherefore I praised the dead_, &c. I judged them less miserable. For this is certain, that setting aside the future life, which Solomon doth not meddle with in the present debate, and considering the uncertainty, and vanity, and manifold calamities of the present life, a wise man would not account... [ Continue Reading ]
_Again I considered all travail_ Hebrew כל עמל, _all the labour, toil_, or _trouble_, which men undertake or undergo; _and every right work_ All the worthy designs of virtuous men; _that for this a man is envied of his neighbour_ Instead of that honour and recompense which he deserves, he meets with... [ Continue Reading ]
_The fool foldeth his hands_, &c. Is careless and idle: perceiving that diligence is attended with envy, he runs into the other extreme. _And eateth his own flesh_ Wastes his substance, and brings himself to poverty, whereby his very flesh pines away for want of bread.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Better is a handful with quietness_, &c. These are the words, either, 1st, Of the sluggard, making this apology for his idleness, that his little, with ease, is better than great riches got with much trouble; or, 2d, of Solomon, who elsewhere speaks to the same purpose, and here proposes this antid... [ Continue Reading ]
_There is one alone_ Who has none but himself to care for. _Yea, he hath neither child nor brother_ To whom he may leave his vast estate; _yet is there no end of his labours_ He lives in perpetual restlessness and toil. _Neither is his eye satisfied_ His covetous mind or desire, fitly expressed by t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Two_ Or more, who live together in any kind of society, and join their powers together in pursuit of any important object; _are better than one_ Act more cheerfully, and accomplish their designs more readily, than any of them could do in a solitary state; _because they have a good reward for their... [ Continue Reading ]
_For, if they fall_ If one or more of them fall in any way; as into any mistakes, and errors, or sins, dangers, or distresses. _The one will lift up his fellow_ Will hold him up, if he be falling, or raise him up, if he be fallen. _If two lie together, then they have heat_ They will be sooner warm i... [ Continue Reading ]
He now proceeds to another vanity, even that of honour and power, and the highest places. _Better_ More happy; _is a poor and wise child_ Who is doubly contemptible, both for his age and for his poverty; than an old and foolish king, who, though venerable for his age, and gravity, and royal dignity,... [ Continue Reading ]
_I considered all the living_ The general disposition of common people in all kingdoms, that they are fickle and inconstant, weary of their old governors, and desirous of changes; _with the second child that shall stand up_ That shall arise to reign. This may be understood of the king's child, or so... [ Continue Reading ]
_There is no end of the people_ The sense seems to be, either, 1st, The people who have this humour are without end, or innumerable: or, 2d, This humour of the common people hath no end, but passes from one generation to another: they ever were, and are, and will be, unstable and restless, and given... [ Continue Reading ]