Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:4-6
Here Solomon returns to the observation and consideration of the vanity and vexation of spirit that attend the business of this world, which he had spoken of before, Eccl. 2:11. I. If a man be acute, and dexterous, and successful in his business, he gets the ill-will of his neighbours, Eccl. 4:4. Though he takes a great deal of pains, and goes through all travail, does not get his estate easily, but it costs him a great deal of hard labour, nor does he get it dishonestly, he wrongs no man,... read more
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:1-3
Solomon had a large soul (1 Kgs. 4:29) and it appeared by this, among other things, that he had a very tender concern for the miserable part of mankind and took cognizance of the afflictions of the afflicted. He had taken the oppressors to task (Eccl. 3:16, 17) and put them in mind of the judgment to come, to be a curb to their insolence; now here he observes the oppressed. This he did, no doubt, as a prince, to do them justice and avenge them of their adversaries, for he both feared God and... read more