9 And the advantage for the people is, that it extendeth to all, For even the king is servant to the field.
VER. 9. Some commentators prefer another possible reading of this difficult verse: _But the profit of a land is every way a king devoted to the field, i.e._ a lover and promoter of good husbandry. This reading, however, does not, I think, harmonise so well with the context as that given above.
10 He that loveth silver is never satisfied with silver, Nor he that clingeth to riches with what they yield: This too is vanity;
11 For when riches increase they increase that consume them: What advantage then hath the owner thereof, Save the looking thereupon with his eyes?
12 Sweet is the sleep of the husbandman, Whether he eat little or much; While abundance suffereth not the rich to sleep.
13 There is a great evil which I have seen under the sun-- Riches hoarded up by the rich To the hurt of the owner thereof:
14 For the riches perish in some unlucky adventure, And he begetteth a son when he hath nothing in his hand:
15 As he cometh forth from the womb of his mother, Even as he cometh naked, So also he returneth again, And taketh nothing from his labour Which he may carry away in his hand.
16 This also is a great evil, That just as he came so he must go. For what profit hath he who laboureth for the wind?
17 Yet all his days he eateth in darkness, And is much perturbed, and hath vexation and grief.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: _The Conclusion._ Ch. v., vv. 18-20.]
18 Behold, that which I have said holds good,-- That it is well for man to eat and to drink And to enjoy the good of all his labour wherein he laboureth under the sun, Through the brief day of his life which God hath given him: For this is his portion.
19 And I have also said, That a man to whom God hath given riches and wealth, If He hath also enabled him to eat thereof, And to take his portion and to rejoice in his labour;-- This is a gift of God:
20 He doth not fret because the days of his life are not many, For God hath sanctioned the joy of his heart.