Ecclesiastes 4:14
For out of the prison cometh the one to reign: whereas also in his kingdom the other becometh poor.
Leeser Tanakh
In The King James Version
For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
In Context
Cross References
Genesis 41:14Then Pharaoh sent and had Joseph called, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his garments, and came in unto Pharaoh.
Genesis 41:41And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.
1 Samuel 2:8He raiseth up out of the dust the poor, from the dunghill he lifteth up the needy, to set them among nobles, and he assigneth them the throne of glory; for the Lord's are the pillars of the earth, on which he hath set the world.
2 Kings 23:31Twenty and three years old was Jehoachaz when he became king; and three months did he reign in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Chamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
2 Kings 24:6And Jehoyakim slept with his fathers: and Jehoyachin his son became king in his stead.
2 Kings 25:7And they slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and he blinded the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him with fetters of brass, and carried him to Babylon.
Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 4:14-16
The Advantages of Society. 13 Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished. 14 For out of prison 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 in his stead. 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.… Read the whole commentary →