Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king’s successor. New Living Translation But then everyone rushes to the side of yet another youth who replaces him. English Standard Version I saw all the living who move about under the sun, along with that youth who was to stand in the king’s place. Berean Standard Bible I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed this second one, the youth who succeeded the king. King James Bible I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead. New King James Version I saw all the living who walk under the sun; They were with the second youth who stands in his place. New American Standard Bible I have seen all those living under the sun move to the side of the second youth who replaces him. NASB 1995 I have seen all the living under the sun throng to the side of the second lad who replaces him. NASB 1977 I have seen all the living under the sun throng to the side of the second lad who replaces him. Legacy Standard Bible I have seen all the living who walk about under the sun go along with the second lad who stands in place of him. Amplified Bible I have seen all the living under the sun join with the second youth (the king’s acknowledged successor) who replaces him. Christian Standard Bible I saw all the living, who move about under the sun, follow a second youth who succeeds him. Holman Christian Standard Bible I saw all the living, who move about under the sun, follow a second youth who succeeds him. American Standard Version I saw all the living that walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second, that stood up in his stead. Contemporary English Version I once saw everyone in the world follow a young leader who came to power after the king was gone. English Revised Version I saw all the living which walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second, that stood up in his stead. GOD'S WORD® Translation I saw all living people moving about under the sun. They sided with the second young man, the king's successor. Good News Translation I thought about all the people who live in this world, and I realized that somewhere among them there is a young man who will take the king's place. International Standard Version I observed everyone who lives and walks on earth, along with the youth who will take the king's place. Majority Standard Bible I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed this second one, the youth who succeeded the king. NET Bible I considered all the living who walk on earth, as well as the successor who would arise in his place. New Heart English Bible I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him. Webster's Bible Translation I considered all the living who walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead. World English Bible I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionI have seen all the living, who are walking under the sun, with the second youth who stands in his place; Young's Literal Translation I have seen all the living, who are walking under the sun, with the second youth who doth stand in his place; Smith's Literal Translation I saw all the living going under the sun, with the second child which shall stand in his stead. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleI saw all men living, that walk under the sun with the second young man, who shall rise up in his place. Catholic Public Domain Version I saw all the living who are walking under the sun, and I saw the next generation, who shall rise up in their places. New American Bible I saw all the living, those who move about under the sun, with the second youth who will succeed him. New Revised Standard Version I saw all the living who, moving about under the sun, follow that youth who replaced the king; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleI considered all the living who walk under the sun, with the young men, who shall rise up in their place. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated I have seen All Life walking under the sun, with The Second Young Man that will arise in his place OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917I saw all the living that walk under the sun, that they were with the child, the second, that was to stand up in his stead. Brenton Septuagint Translation I beheld all the living who were walking under the sun, with the second youth who shall stand up in each one's place. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Futility of Power…14For the youth has come from the prison to the kingship, though he was born poor in his own kingdom. 15I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed this second one, the youth who succeeded the king. 16There is no limit to all the people who were before them. Yet the successor will not be celebrated by those who come even later. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.… Cross References 1 Kings 1:5-40 At that time Adonijah, David’s son by Haggith, began to exalt himself, saying, “I will be king!” And he acquired chariots and horsemen and fifty men to run ahead of him. / (His father had never once reprimanded him by saying, “Why do you act this way?” Adonijah was also very handsome, born next after Absalom.) / So Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, who supported him. ... 1 Samuel 8:5-22 “Look,” they said, “you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king to judge us like all the other nations.” / But when they said, “Give us a king to judge us,” their demand was displeasing in the sight of Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. / And the LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you. For it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their king. ... 2 Samuel 15:1-6 Some time later, Absalom provided for himself a chariot with horses and fifty men to run ahead of him. / He would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone had a grievance to bring before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out and ask, “What city are you from?” And if he replied, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel,” / Absalom would say, “Look, your claims are good and right, but the king has no deputy to hear you.” ... 1 Kings 12:1-20 Then Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone there to make him king. / When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard about this, he was still in Egypt where he had fled from King Solomon and had been living ever since. / So they sent for Jeroboam, and he and the whole assembly of Israel came to Rehoboam and said, ... 2 Kings 11:12-20 Then Jehoiada brought out the king’s son, put the crown on him, presented him with the Testimony, and proclaimed him king. They anointed him, and the people clapped their hands and declared, “Long live the king!” / When Athaliah heard the noise from the guards and the people, she went out to the people in the house of the LORD. / And she looked out and saw the king standing by the pillar, according to the custom. The officers and trumpeters were beside the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and screamed, “Treason! Treason!” ... Daniel 11:21-23 In his place a despicable person will arise; royal honors will not be given to him, but he will come in a time of peace and seize the kingdom by intrigue. / Then a flood of forces will be swept away before him and destroyed, along with a prince of the covenant. / After an alliance is made with him, he will act deceitfully; for he will rise to power with only a few people. Proverbs 27:24 for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to every generation. Isaiah 3:4-5 “I will make mere lads their leaders, and children will rule over them.” / The people will oppress one another, man against man, neighbor against neighbor; the young will rise up against the old, and the base against the honorable. Jeremiah 22:11-12 For this is what the LORD says concerning Shallum son of Josiah, king of Judah, who succeeded his father Josiah but has gone forth from this place: “He will never return, / but he will die in the place to which he was exiled; he will never see this land again.” Hosea 8:4 They set up kings, but not by Me. They make princes, but without My approval. With their silver and gold they make themselves idols, to their own destruction. Matthew 21:8-11 A massive crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. / The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!” / When Jesus had entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” ... Mark 11:8-10 Many in the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut from the fields. / The ones who went ahead and those who followed were shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” / “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest!” Luke 19:36-38 As He rode along, the people spread their cloaks on the road. / And as He approached the descent from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of disciples began to praise God joyfully in a loud voice for all the miracles they had seen: / “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” John 12:12-13 The next day the great crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. / They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the King of Israel!” Acts 5:36-37 Some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. / After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and drew away people after him. He too perished, and all his followers were scattered. Treasury of Scripture I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead. child 2 Samuel 15:6 And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. Jump to Previous Child Considered Followed King's Lad Move Round Ruler Second Side Stand Stead Stood Succeeded Sun Throng Walk Walked Young YouthJump to Next Child Considered Followed King's Lad Move Round Ruler Second Side Stand Stead Stood Succeeded Sun Throng Walk Walked Young YouthEcclesiastes 4 1. vanity is increased unto men by oppression4. by envy 5. by idleness 7. by covetousness 9. by solitariness 13. by willfulness I saw The phrase "I saw" indicates a personal observation by the author, traditionally believed to be Solomon. In Hebrew, the word used is "רָאָה" (ra'ah), which means to see, perceive, or understand. This suggests not just a physical sight but a deeper insight into human behavior and societal patterns. Solomon, known for his wisdom, is reflecting on the nature of leadership and succession, offering a timeless observation on the cyclical nature of power and influence. all who lived and walked under the sun followed this second one the youth who succeeded the king Verse 15. - I considered all the living which walk under the sun; or, I have seen all the population. The expression is hyperbolical, as Eastern monarchs speak of their dominions as if they comprised the whole world (see Daniel 4:1; Daniel 6:25). With the second child that shall stand up in his stead. "With" (עִם) means "in company with," "on the side of;" and the clause should be rendered, as in the Revised Version, That they were with the youth, the second, that stood up in his stead. The youth who is called the second is the one spoken of in the previous verses, who by general acclamation is raised to the highest place in the realm, while the old monarch is dethroned or depreciated. He is named second, as being the successor of the other, either in popular favor or on the throne. It is the old story of worshipping the rising sun. The verse may still be applied to Joseph, who was made second to Pharaoh, and was virtually supreme in Egypt, standing in the king's place (Genesis 41:40-44). |
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