Matthew Poole and continuators on Ecclesiastes 9:11

11 I returned and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding , nor yet favour to men of skill , but time and chance happeneth to them all .

This may have some respect to the foregoing Verse. For having pressed men to labour with all their might, he now adds by way of caution, that yet they must not be confident of their own strength, as if they were sure of success by it, but in all, and above all to look up to God for his blessing without which all their endeavours will be vain. But it seems chiefly to be added, either 1. as another instance of the liberty and power of God's Providence in the disposal of humane affairs, of which he spake above, v. 1, 2, 3. Or 2. as another of the vanities of this present life.

Either ability to run, or success and victory in running.

The victory in Battle.

Who yet are most likely both to get and to keep riches.

Good acceptance and love from men.

Who know how to manage themselves and all affairs, whereby they are necessary and serviceable to others, and therefore most likely to find favour in their eyes.

There are some times or seasons, unknown and casual to men, but certain and determined by God, in which alone he will give men success.