Another matter: “Remember Abraham” – that is what is written: “I praise the dead who have already died” (Ecclesiastes 4:2). Corresponding to whom did Solomon say this verse?5Solomon is considered the author of Ecclesiastes. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi and Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman: Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi says: He said it only corresponding to David, his father. How so?
You find that when Solomon built the Temple, he prayed before God that the fire would descend, but he was not answered. However, once he mentioned the deceased, David his father, he was immediately answered, as it is stated: “Remember the kindness of David Your servant” (II Chronicles 6:42). Immediately, “When Solomon concluded praying” (II Chronicles 7:1) to the Lord, “the fire descended from the heavens” (II Chronicles 7:1).
When Solomon saw that he mentioned those prayers and was not answered and once he mentioned David his father, it immediately descended, he began saying: “I praise the dead who are already dead, more than the living who are still alive” (Ecclesiastes 4:2). He said it in his own regard. Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman said: He said it regarding Moses. How so?
When he saw that Moses had stood in prayer for forty days and forty nights on behalf of Israel so that the Holy One blessed be He would pardon them for that act that they performed, and he had mentioned their merit but God would not be reconciled, yet once he mentioned the deceased he was immediately answered; what is written thereafter? “The Lord reconsidered” (Exodus 32:14). That is, “I praise the dead who have already died” – this is Moses.