“‘Better is a poor
But wise youth
Than an old
But foolish king,
Who will no longer take advice.’
One can indeed
Come out of prison
To reign,
Even though born poor
In the kingdom.
I saw all the living
That move about
Under the sun.
Follow that youth
Who replaced the king.
There was no end
To all those people
Whom he led.
Yet those who come later
Will not rejoice in him.
Surely this also is vanity.
This is chasing after wind.”
It is better to get rid of an old foolish king who will not take advice. A poor wise young person can be a king, even if he comes out of prison. Qoheleth has seen everything under the sun. He wants you to follow the new young king, who replaced the old king. People will follow him even though they might not rejoice later. After all, this is all vanity and futile. Finding the perfect king is like chasing after wind, never to be achieved.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 