Ecclesiastes 9:4-6 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

For to him that is joined to all the living That continues with living men; there is hope He hath not only some comfort for the present, but also hopes of further and greater happiness in this world, which men are very prone to entertain and cherish in themselves. Yea, he may have the hopes of a better life, if he improve his opportunities. For a living dog is better than a dead lion Much happier as to the comforts of this world. “The meanest and most contemptible person here, in this world, hath the advantage of the greatest king, when he is gone out of it.” For the living know that they shall die Whereby they are taught to improve life while they have it. But the dead know not any thing Of the actions and events of this world, as this is limited in the next verse. Neither have they any more a reward In this world. The reward or fruit of their labours is utterly lost to them, and enjoyed by others. See Ecclesiastes 2:21. For otherwise, that there are future rewards after death, is asserted by Solomon elsewhere, as we have seen, and shall hereafter see. For the memory of them is forgotten Namely, among living men, and even in those places where they had lived in great power and glory. Also their love and hatred, &c ., is now perished They neither love, nor hate, nor envy any thing in this world, but are unconcerned in what is done under the sun.