Ecclesiastes 9:14

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 9:13-18

Solomon still recommends wisdom to us as necessary to the preserving of our peace and the perfecting of our business, notwithstanding the vanities and crosses which human affairs are subject to. He had said (Eccl. 9:11), Bread is not always to the wise; yet he would not therefore be thought either to disparage, or to discourage, wisdom, no, he still retains his principle, that wisdom excels folly as much as light excels darkness (Eccl. 2:13), and we ought to love and embrace it, and be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 9:14

There was a little city, and few men within it ,.... Which some take to be a piece of history, a real matter of fact; that as the city of Abel, when besieged by Joab, was delivered by the counsel of a wise woman, 2 Samuel 20:15 ; so there was a city, which Solomon had knowledge of, which was delivered from the siege of a powerful king, by the wise counsel of a poor wise man: though others think it is only a fiction, fable, or parable; the moral of which is, that political wisdom, even in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 9:14

There was a little city, and few men within it - Here is another proof of the vanity of sublunary things; the ingratitude of men, and the little compensation that genuine merit receives. The little history mentioned here may have either been a fact, or intended as an instructive fable. A little city, with few to defend it, being besieged by a great king and a powerful army, was delivered by the cunning and address on a poor wise man; and afterwards his townsmen forgot their obligation to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 9:13-16

Section 9. That wisdom, even when it does good service, is not always rewarded, is shown by an example. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 9:14

There was a little city . The substantive verb is, as commonly, omitted. Commentators have amused themselves with endeavoring to identify the city here mentioned. Thus some see herein Athens, saved by the counsel of Themistocles, who was afterwards driven from Athens and died in misery (Justin; 2.12); or Dora, near Mount Carmel, besieged unsuccessfully by Antiochus the Great, B.C. 218, though we know nothing of the circumstances (Polyb; 5.66); but see note on Ecclesiastes 9:13 . The... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 9:14-15

A parable probably without foundation in fact. Critics who ascribe this book to a late age offer no better suggestion than that the “little city” may be Athens delivered 480 b.c. from the host of Xerxes through the wisdom of Themistocles, or Dora besieged 218 b.c. by Antiochus the Great.Ecclesiastes 9:16-17 are comments on the two facts - the deliverance of the city and its forgetfulness of him who delivered it - stated in Ecclesiastes 9:15. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 9:13-16

Ecclesiastes 9:13-16. This wisdom have I seen I have observed this among many other instances and effects of wisdom. Which he adds for the commendation of wisdom, notwithstanding its insufficiency for man’s safety and happiness without God’s blessing. And it seemed great unto me I judged it very praiseworthy, though others despised it, as it follows. There was a little city, &c. It is doubtful whether Solomon be here relating a certain fact which had occurred in some neighbouring... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 9:13-18

Thoughts on wisdom and folly (9:13-10:20)A simple story illustrates how a person may be wise and humble, but the good he does is not appreciated by those who benefit from it. Riches, status and a show of power are the things people admire. If a person lacks these, he is ignored or despised, even though his quiet words of wisdom may save a city from destruction (13-18).One foolish act can spoil a lot of good. Stupidity leads to wrongdoing and marks a person out as a fool in the eyes of everyone... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 9:14

a little city. For the application of verses: Ecclesiastes 9:14-16 , note the following illustrations: poor (2 Corinthians 8:9 . Philippians 1:2 , Philippians 1:6-8 ); wise (1 Corinthians 1:24 ); delivered (1 Corinthians 1:18 , 1 Corinthians 1:25 ); none remembered (Isaiah 53:3 ); despised (1 Corinthians 1:28 ); words heard in quiet (Job 6:24 .Ezekiel 1:24 , Ezekiel 1:25 .Luke 10:39; Luke 10:39 ). men. Hebrew, plural of 'enosh. App-14 . read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 9:14

14, 15. ( :-). bulwarks—military works of besiegers. read more

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