A poor yet wise lad is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive instruction. For he has come out of prison to become king, even though he was born poor in his kingdom. I have seen all the living under the sun throng to the side of the second lad who replaces him. There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them, and even the ones who will come later will not be happy with him, for this too is vanity and striving after wind.
Message: The Vanity of Political Power
Time: Solomon's authorship is not stated. Solomon's reign as king of Israel lasted from around 970 B.C. to around 930 B.C. The Book of Ecclesiastes was likely written towards the end of his reign, approximately 935 B.C.
What the Lord is Saying:
The preceding four verses in this text spoke of "two are better than one." It was a wonderful text reminding me of the fact that we need one another. We need each other to be warm, to come to one another's aid, to encourage each other, and lift one another up. Today's passage follows those verses.
This passage has its focus on rulers, kings and their successors, and their tenure and the memory of their service as king. The first verse mentions that a king needs to be teachable and wise. The leaders were often those that were wealthy, but wealth has no bearing on these qualities. This passage is not very clear in its purpose. It could be that these are bringing that kings, who are often revered, and looked up with extreme envy are not any greater. They still must have good character. And their reign may be pleasing to some, but by the end of their life different people may not see them as a great person.
Even as I study commentaries there are different ideas as to what this passage is referencing.
Promise: It's not the position that makes a person a wise and good person, but rather it is their character.
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