There is one that is alone, and he hath not a second; yea, he hath neither son nor brother; yet is there no end of all his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches. For whom then, saith he, do I labor, and deprive my soul of good? This also is vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
The covetous man is a slave to his own appetite, laboring night and day with no one to feed but himself, yet his eye is never satisfied with riches. He has enough for his back and belly and calling, but not for his eyes; he counts his money and will not spend it, bereaving himself of all comfort in what he grasps.
AI summary
Commenting on Ecclesiastes 4:7-12
Ecc 4:7-8 “There is one without a second, also son and brother he has not; and there is no end of his labour; his eyes nevertheless are not satisfied with riches: For whom do I labour, then, and deny all good to my soul?
Commenting on Ecclesiastes 4:7-8
There is one alone, and there is not a second,.... According to Aben Ezra, either no friend or companion, or no servant, or no wife, which last sense he prefers; no friend or companion he chooses, because friendship and fellowship lead to expenses; and no servant who would be chargeable to him; and no wife, which would be more expensive, and bring on a family...