rendered in the English version PREACHER, or one who addresses an assembly.NAME,
borrowed from the Septuagint. In the Hebrew Bible it is called "Koheleth."
The meaning of this word is somewhat disputed, but it is
rendered in the English version PREACHER, or one who addresses an assembly.
AUTHORSHIP doubtful,
but is commonly ascribed to Solomon.
Ec
1:1,2
Many of the
experiences related seem to correspond to those likely to have happened in his
life, judging from the bare outline of his history found in the Bible.
Ec
12:13
KEY
WORDS,
"Vanity," and "under the sun, --each expression occurs more than
twenty-five times.
CONTENTS
The book
contains the reflections and experiences of a philosopher whose mind was in
conflict over the problems of life. After speaking of the disillusionments that
had come to him, he presents the view of the Epicurean materialist, that there
is nothing better than the carnal enjoyment of the pleasures of life. As this
idea reappears all through the book, it is quite evident that the writer was
struggling with it, while at the same time he was uttering profound truths
concerning man's duty and obligations to God. At last he seems to emerge from
his speculations and doubts, and reaches the noble conclusion in Chapter 12:13,
"Fear God and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of
man."
Ec
12:13
SYNOPSIS.
Chs. 1,2
(1)
Introduction. Reflection of the monotonous round of life
Ec
1:1-11
(2) The Search
of the natural man for his satisfaction and happiness.
(a) It is not
to be found in the acquisition of wisdom
Ec
1:12-18
(b) It is not
to be found in worldly pleasure
Ec
2:1-3
(c) It is not
to be found in art or agriculture
Ec
2:4-6
(d) It is not
to be found in great possessions
Ec
2:7-11
(3) Conclusions
(a) The wise
man is superior to the fool
Ec
2:12-21
(b) Of the
Epicurean,-there is nothing better than to eat and drink and enjoy life
Ec
2:24-26
Ch. 3. The
natural man's view of the weary round of life.
(a) There is a
time for everything
Ec
3:1-8
(b) The
conclusion of the Materialist
Ec
3:13-22
Ch. 4. The study of the Social Evils apart from faith
Ec
4:1-15
Conclusion,
all is vanity and vexation of spirit
Ec
4:16
Ch. 5.
(a) Advices
concerning religious duties
Ec
5:1-7
(b) The vanity
of riches
Ec
5:9-17
(c) The
conclusion is,-Eat and drink and enjoy life
Ec
5:18-20
Ch. 6. The
vanity of long life
Ec
6:3-12
Ch. 7.
(a) A series
of wise sayings
Ec
7:1-24
(b)
Conclusions concerning the evil woman
Ec
7:25-28
Ch. 8.
(a) Civil
duties
Ec
8:1-5
(b) The
uncertainty of life
Ec
8:6-8
(c) The
certainty of Divine judgment, and the injustices of life
Ec
8:10-14
(d) Epicurean
conclusion
Ec
8:15
(e) The work
of God and man
Ec
8:16,17
Ch. 9.
(a) Like
things happen to the righteous and the wicked; the grave is the goal of life,
man is a creature of circumstances. Epicurean conclusion, "Let us eat and
drink, for to-morrow die."
Ec
9:1-9
(b) Wisdom is
preëminent though often unappreciated
Ec
9:13-18
Ch. 10.
Various wise sayings, the contrast between wisdom and folly, etc.
Ch. 11.
(a) Advices
concerning benevolences
Ec
11:1-6
(b) Advice to
the young
Ec
11:9-10
Ch. 12. A poetical description of old age
Ec
12:1-7
The closing
words of the preacher and the final conclusion concerning the highest duty of
man
12:8-14
(Outline from Thompson’s Chain Reference
Bible)