Ecclesiastes 4:13-16

Ecclesiastes 4:13-16

[13] Better  is a poor  and a wise  child  than an old  and foolish  king,  who will  no more be admonished.  [14] 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  [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. 

What does Ecclesiastes 4:13-16 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

It is also futile to work to gain advancement and popularity, thinking that these advantages will provide ultimate satisfaction.
"He has reached a pinnacle of human glory, only to be stranded there." [1]
Ecclesiastes 4:14 evidently describes the poor lad in Ecclesiastes 4:13, rather than the king. The second lad of Ecclesiastes 4:15 is the same boy who replaced the former old king. What is in view is a succession of kings, none of whom fully satisfies the populace. The point is that even though a man may rise from the bottom of society-this youth had been in prison-to the top, not everyone will accept or appreciate him. Therefore, since it is impossible to achieve full acceptance, it is foolish to spend one"s life seeking it. It is better to stay poor and wise. We might respond by saying that some acceptance by other people is better than none, but this is an evaluation of short-term advantage. Solomon was thinking and speaking of ultimate long-term significance.