Ecclesiastes 4:13-16

"Better was a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knew how to take advice. For he went from prison to the throne, though in his own kingdom he had been born poor. I saw all the living who move about under the sun, along with that youth who was to stand in the king’s place. There was no end of all the people, all of whom he led. Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind." (Ecclesiastes 4:13-16, ESV)

There are few things worse than an unwillingness to receive advice. This tidbit from the Preacher connects directly with his previous observation in 4:7-12 (see yesterday’s post). Life has no meaning if you do not have someone to give joy to or share your life with. To reject the benefits of relationships for private benefits is both a dangerous and unhappy choice. The Preacher provides an example of such foolishness. A poor, wise boy is better than the old, foolish king he becomes. The reason is because as king he “no longer knew how to take advice.” Though his power, fame, wealth, health, security, pleasure increased innumerably, no one will care when he is dead or give thanks for his life.

There is a presupposition here working in the Preacher’s logic. He assumes, it seems to me, that an unadvisable king is a tyrannical king. That is, without the constraint of social pressure and the aid of various perspectives, the king’s decisions will often benefit himself but be oppressive to others. There is a natural bent toward evil within the man that is so severe that when given great power without the restraints of community he will willingly oppress others. Here is yet another reason why living apart from community is vanity. Apart from the aid and restraints of sharing life with others, your selfish heart will make you tyrant.