📖 Ecclesiastes — Chapter 4 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Ecclesiastes 4:1 So RI returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the Tside of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.
Ecclesiastes 4:2 Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
Ecclesiastes 4:3 Yea, Rbetter is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 4:4 Again, I considered all travail, and RTevery right work, that Tfor this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
Ecclesiastes 4:5 The Rfool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
Ecclesiastes 4:6 Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
Ecclesiastes 4:7 RThen I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 4:8 There is Rone alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
Ecclesiastes 4:9 Two Rare better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
Ecclesiastes 4:10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: Rbut woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
Ecclesiastes 4:11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
Ecclesiastes 4:12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; Rand a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:13 Better Ris a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, Twho will no more be admonished.
Ecclesiastes 4:14 RFor out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
Ecclesiastes 4:15 I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second Rchild that shall stand up in his stead.
Ecclesiastes 4:16 There is Rno 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.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Ecclesiastes 4:1–6 — Oppression and restless competition
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The oppressed have tears but no comforter. Envious labor and consuming toil are contrasted with a quiet handful, exposing both cruelty and competitive striving.
Key Truth: Value compassion above restless gain.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “So I ____ , and considered all the oppressions that are done under …” (Ecclesiastes 4:1)
Find it in Ecclesiastes 4:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also ____ and vexation of spirit.” (Ecclesiastes 4:4)
Find it in Ecclesiastes 4:4 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “… than both the hands full with travail and vexation of ____ .” (Ecclesiastes 4:6)
Find it in Ecclesiastes 4:6 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Ecclesiastes 4:7–11 — Lonely toil and mutual help
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
A person working without companion or heir asks who benefits. Two can support one another, share reward, recover from falling, and provide warmth.
Key Truth: Seek and offer faithful companionship.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “Then I returned, and I saw ____ under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 4:7)
Find it in Ecclesiastes 4:7 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “Two are ____ than one; because they have a good reward for their …” (Ecclesiastes 4:9)
Find it in Ecclesiastes 4:9 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “Again, if two lie ____ , then they have heat: but how can one be …” (Ecclesiastes 4:11)
Find it in Ecclesiastes 4:11 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Ecclesiastes 4:12–16 — Strength together and fading popularity
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
A threefold cord pictures shared resilience. The rise of a poor wise youth and later forgotten ruler show that public approval does not last.
Key Truth: Value lasting fellowship over popularity.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “And if one ____ against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord …” (Ecclesiastes 4:12)
Find it in Ecclesiastes 4:12 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “Better is a ____ and a wise child than an old and foolish king, …” (Ecclesiastes 4:13)
Find it in Ecclesiastes 4:13 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “… after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is ____ and vexation of spirit.” (Ecclesiastes 4:16)
Find it in Ecclesiastes 4:16 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Galatians 6:2 — Believers are called to bear one another’s burdens.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Who needs the help of a faithful companion?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. What intensifies the grief of the oppressed?
2. Which comparison challenges relentless accumulation?
3. What question exposes the solitary worker’s predicament?
4. What practical advantage illustrates two being better than one?
5. Why is a poor wise child preferred to the old foolish king?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
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