Eclesiastés 4:14 Midrash: Midrash Tehillim, Aggadat Bereshit & Bereshit Rabbah

I will praise the Lord with all my heart. I speak about the inclination to do good and the inclination to do evil, so that a wickedness will not nest in my heart. This is what the scripture says (Ecclesiastes 4:13) "Better a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to heed a warning". And why is he called a youth? Because it refers to creating goodness. And why is he called poor? Because no nation listens to him. And why is he called wise? Because he is united with the Holy One, blessed be He, for thirteen years prior. (ibid) "An old king who no longer knows how to heed a warning" - this is the evil inclination. And why is he called a king? Because all limbs listen to him. And why is he called old? Because he is connected to a man from his youth to his old age. This is what is written (Genesis 8:21) "For the inclination of man's heart is evil from his youth". From his youth, from his mother's womb. And why is he called a fool? Because he intends to create wickedness in his heart. (Ecclesiastes 4:13) "For he came out of prison to be king, even though he was born poor in his kingdom" - in his kingdom, this refers to the inclination to do evil. In his kingdom, the inclination to do good is born. I will recount all Your wonders, they are amazing - some belong to the past, some to this world, and some to the world to come.

[2] Another interpretation: "And there will be an end..." Like scriptures says: "For from the house of bondage he went out to reign" (Ecclesiastes 4:14), referring to Abraham who left Ur of the Chaldeans and was raised in the world, as it says, "I am the Lord who brought you out" (Genesis 15:7). Alternatively, "from the house of bondage" refers to Isaac, whom God saved from the sword of his father, as it is written: "And he said, 'Do not stretch out your hand against the lad'" (Genesis 22:12). Isaac went out into the world and grew up, as it is written: "And Isaac went out to meditate" (Genesis 24:63). Additionally, regarding "from the house of the prisoners," this refers to Jacob, who left his father's house when he fled from Esau, as it says "And Jacob went out" (Genesis 28:10). And what is written about him? "And the man broke out exceedingly" (Genesis 30:43). However, even in his kingship he was born poor (Ecclesiastes 4:14), as when Esau came and took his goats and more (Genesis 32:15). Alternatively: "Regarding Joseph, who came from the house of prisoners and became king, as it is said 'The king sent and released him, even the ruler of peoples, and set him free.' (Psalms 105:20). However, even in his kingship, he was born poor, as it says 'A poor man who became king.' (Ecclesiastes 4:14). He did not elevate himself to become king, but just as his heart was when he was imprisoned, as it says 'And Joseph was the ruler...and he was the provider' (Genesis 42:6). And do not think that I only know him as the ruler and provider, but rather to teach you that he was both in his youth and as a king. As Solomon says: "If the spirit [of judgment] of the Ruler arises against you..."(Ecclesiastes 10:4)."

“Happy is the man who has made the Lord his trust” (Psalms 40:5) – this is Joseph. “And did not turn to the proud” (Psalms 40:5) – because he said to the chief butler: “Remember me…and mention me,” two years were added for him. “Happy is the man who makes the Lord his trust” – Rabbi Yudan said: Many myriads of myriads tend after falsehood, woe unto anyone who puts his trust in them.
“For a dream comes with a multitude of concerns” (Ecclesiastes 5:2) – Pharaoh said: ‘Who stands over whom – I for my god, or my god over me?’⁵The Nile was an Egyptian deity. Pharoah said: ‘Does it make sense that I protect my god, or that my god protects me?’ [Joseph] said to him: ‘You, over your god.’ That is what is written: “It was at the conclusion [of two years, and Pharaoh was dreaming: and, behold, he stood at the Nile.]”⁶The phrase “he stood at [al] the Nile” can alternately be translated, “he stood over the Nile,” as though Pharoah was standing guard to protect the Nile.
“For he emerged from prison to reign” (Ecclesiastes 4:14) – this is Joseph, who emerged from Pharaoh’s prison. “Emerged…to reign” – “Pharaoh sent [and summoned Joseph, and they rushed him from the dungeon]” (Genesis 41:14). “For even in his reign, he is revealed as poor” (Ecclesiastes 4:14) – due to Joseph’s reign, the impoverishment of Potifera was revealed.⁷As long as Joseph was in his home, Potifar thrived. After Joseph left, his fortunes changed.
Another matter, “it was at the conclusion.” “I saw all the living, who walk under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 4:15) – this is Joseph. “With the second child” (Ecclesiastes 4:15) – these are the two years that were added for him. Why were two years added for him? So that Pharaoh would dream and [Joseph] would be elevated by means of the dream, as it is stated: “It was at the conclusion of two years.”