14 The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom.
14 For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
14 For he went from prison to the throne, though in his own kingdom he had been born poor.
14 I saw a youth just like this start with nothing and go from rags to riches,
14 For he comes out of prison to be king, Although he was born poor in his kingdom.
14 Such a youth could rise from poverty and succeed. He might even become king, though he has been in prison.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:14
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:13-16
(Read Ecclesiastes 4:13-16)
People are never long easy and satisfied; they are fond of changes. This is no new thing. Princes see themselves slighted by those they have studied to oblige; this is vanity and vexation of spirit. But the willing servants of the Lord Jesus, our King, rejoice in him alone, and they will love Him more and more to all eternity.