Ecclesiastes 4:16

“[There is] no end of all the people, [even] of all that have been before them, etc.] Before the present generation, the living that walked under the sun; a vast number they were that lived before them, and they were of the same restless temper and disposition; changeable in their affection and behaviour towards their governors; no end of their number, nor any stable affection for, nor settled satisfaction in, their rulers; but this itch of novelty, of having new princes over them, went from age to age, from generation to generation. Some understand this of the king and his son, the predecessor and successor, and of those that went before them; and of their behaviour to the kings that reigned…”

“Notwithstanding their now worshipping the rising sun, the heir-apparent, I reflected that "there were no bounds, no stability (Sa2 15:6; Sa2 20:1), no check on the love of innovation, of all that have been before them," that is, the past generation; so also they that come after--that is, the next generation, shall not rejoice in him--namely, Rehoboam. The parallel, "shall not rejoice," fixes the sense of "no bounds," no permanent adherence, though now men rejoice in him. Next: Ecclesiastes Chapter 5”

“These verses set forth the vanity of earthly prosperity even on a throne. Opinion as to their application is chiefly divided between considering them a parable or fiction like that of the childless man in Ecclesiastes 4:8 : or as setting forth first the vicissitudes of royal life in two proverbial sayings Ecclesiastes 4:13-14, and then Ecclesiastes 4:15-16, the vicissitudes or procession of the whole human race, one generation giving place to another, Which in its turn will be forgotten by its successor. On the whole, the first appears to have the better claim. Ecclesiastes 4:13 Child - Rather, young man. Ecclesiastes 4:14 Rather: For out of the house of bondage he goes forth to be a king;…”

“No end - This humour of the common people hath no end, but passes from one generation to another. Before them - Before the present generation. And so here are three generations of people noted, the authors of the present change, and their parents, and their children; and all are observed to have the same inclinations. In him - They shall be as weary of the successor, though a wise and worthy prince, as their parents were of his foolish predecessor. Next: Ecclesiastes Chapter 5”

“no end: Sa2 15:12, Sa2 15:13; Kg1 1:5-7, Kg1 1:40, Kg1 12:10-16 they also: Jdg 9:19, Jdg 9:20; Sa2 18:7, Sa2 18:8, Sa2 19:9 this: Ecc 1:14, Ecc 2:11, Ecc 2:17, Ecc 2:26 Next: Ecclesiastes Chapter 5”