I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on mankind: God gives some people wealth, possessions and honor, so that they lack nothing their hearts desire, but God does not grant them the ability to enjoy them, and strangers enjoy them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil.
A man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded. Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does that man— even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?
Comment: The Bible is for little children – it has the recipe of the good things to be taught them to help them make the best of their lives! But it is not childish and as we develop we are meant to look at it maturely, leading to an increasingly deeper understanding. We must not consider ourselves as judges – to accept or reject it. We are to grow up in our understanding and obedience. Having said what he said in the first short paragraph above, Solomon then, using stark and surpringing words draws two word pictures. One of a men with a hundred children everything that he could desire but no ability or with noone to enjoy it – uncared for to the extent that he doesn’t even get a decent burial! The second of a nameless stillborn, unwanted and ungrieved, And he says that the stillborn is better off. The word pictures are not there to make us agree but to think long and hard about what we desire in life!
Prayer: Please give me a child-like but not a childish faith!
As I read it! 