Ecclesiastes 4:14

4:14 For he came out of prison to become king,

even though he had been born poor in what would become his kingdom.

Ecclesiastes 8:3

8:3 Do not rush out of the king’s presence in haste – do not delay when the matter is unpleasant,

for he can do whatever he pleases.


tn Heb “came from the house of bonds.”

tn The phrase “what would become” is not in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarity. However, it is not altogether clear whether the 3rd person masculine singular suffix (“his”) on בְּמַלְכוּתוֹ (bÿmalkhuto, “his kingdom”) refers to the old foolish king or to the poor but wise youth of 4:13.

tn Or “do not stand up for a bad cause.”