Kommentar zu Kohelet 10:7

I have seen slaves on horses. These are the Chaldeans, about whom it is stated, “this nation never used to be,”⁹Yeshayahu 23:13. will be elevated [to ride] on horses, leading Yisroel’s captives, bound with neck irons.

“I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking on the ground like servants” (Ecclesiastes 10:7).
“I have seen servants upon horses” – these are Ishmaelites; “and princes walking on the ground like servants” – this is Joseph. Rabbi Levi said: A slave³⁰Meaning an Egyptian, as the Egyptians were descendants of Canaan, of whom it is written: “Accursed is Canaan, a slave of slaves he shall be to his brothers” (Genesis 9:25). purchased, and the son of a maidservant³¹The Ishmaelites, who descended from Hagar sold, and a free man was sold to both of them.³²This is a reference to Joseph, who was sold to Ishmaelites, who then sold him to an Egyptian (see Genesis 37:28, 36).
Rabbi Akiva was ascending to Rome; he encountered a certain eunuch³³He was castrated as a youth and raised to serve in the Roman priesthood. from the royal court. He said to him: ‘Are you the rabbi of the Jews?’ [Rabbi Akiva] said to him: ‘Yes.’ He said to [Rabbi Akiva]: ‘Hear these three matters from me: One on a horse is a king; one on a donkey is a free man; one with shoes on his feet is a person; [therefore,] one without this and without that, one buried in a ditch is preferable to him.’³⁴The eunuch was riding a horse, whereas Rabbi Akiva was walking barefoot because of a public fast, on which it was forbidden to wear shoes (Midrash HaMevo’ar). [Rabbi Akiva] said: ‘You said three matters, hear from me three alternative matters: The glory of a face is the beard, the joy of the heart is a wife, and “the portion of the Lord is children” (Psalms 127:3). Woe unto that man who is lacking these three.³⁵The eunuch was unable to grow a beard, marry, or beget children. Moreover, the verse preceded it: “I have seen servants upon horses.”³⁶This contradicts the eunuch’s statement that only kings ride on horses. When that eunuch heard this, he banged his head against the wall and died.
Another matter: “I have seen servants upon horses” – this is Ahab; “and princes walking on the ground like servants” – this is Elijah, as it is stated: “[And Ahab rode and went to Yizre’el.] The hand of the Lord was upon Elijah, and he girded his loins and ran before Ahab…” (I Kings 18:45–46).

Walking on foot like slaves on the ground. Before the Chaldean chariots.