Ecclesiastes 1:1

INTRODUCTION: Ecclesiastes 1:1-11

A. AUTHOR: SOLOMON, Ecclesiastes 1:1

TEXT 1:1

1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 1:1

1.

Name three distinctions claimed by the author.

2.

What Bible character fits the description given in this verse?

3.

From the evidence of this verse, would Solomon qualify as the Preacher?

4.

Read Ecclesiastes 12:9-10 and list the goals the Preacher sets for himself.

PARAPHRASE 1:1

These are the words of the one who assembled the people in order to preach to them. In addition to being identified as a preacher, he is David's son and king in Jerusalem.

COMMENT 1:1

Ecclesiastes 1:1 This verse identifies the author of Ecclesiastes as the Preacher, and son of David, king in Jerusalem. Views vary sharply concerning the actual author of Ecclesiastes, but there is little doubt that Solomon fits this description. The name Solomon never appears in the book. This does not mean, however, that he is thus discounted as the author. The Jewish tradition held to the Solomonic authorship as did most non-Jewish writers until Hugo Grotius argued against this possibility in 1644 A.D. Since that time modern critics have woven fanciful theories concerning possible authors. Even among conservative writers, there is an uncertainty as to whom the book should be ascribed. Recent tendencies, however, on the part of conservative scholars fashion a return to the more traditional view that Solomon wrote the book.

An overwhelming amount of evidence within Ecclesiastes sustains the contention for Solomonic authorship. The following list of internal evidence, consistent with Solomon and his day, is offered as worthy of serious consideration: (1) Verse one identified Solomon precisely; (2) The statement in Ecclesiastes 1:12 requires that the author be identified as a king in Jerusalem over Israel; (3) The extensive and elaborate experiments recorded in Chapter s one and two required wealth and opportunity available only to one of Solomon's greatness; (4) References such as Ecclesiastes 1:16 necessitate an authoritative position and identifies Jerusalem as the base of activity; (5) Collaborating evidence from I Kings, Song of Solomon, Nehemiah, and I Chronicles complements the information of Ecclesiastes 2:1-9 and thus confirms our contention; (6) The inequities identified with the close of Solomon's reign along with the social conditions created by his desire for self enjoyment are in harmony with the descriptions of Ecclesiastes 4:1-6 and Ecclesiastes 5:8; (7) The allusion in Ecclesiastes 4:13 to an old and foolish king (Solomon) and one who has come out of prison (Jeroboam's return from his exile in Egypt) to replace the king, fits the closing days of Solomon's reign explicitly; (8) A final reference noted is found in Ecclesiastes 12:9 where the author of Ecclesiastes has searched out and arranged many proverbs. This is in harmony with 1 Kings 4:32 where it is recorded that Solomon spoke three thousand proverbs.

Solomon is undoubtedly the one to whom we are indebted for this marvelous book. Read also 2 Samuel 12:24 and 1 Kings 1:39 to identify the Preacher of Ecclesiastes 1:1.

The words of the Preacher implies that a definite message is in the mind of the author and he intends to proclaim it to all who will hear. We are aware immediately that the Preacher is a proclaimer of truth. From the very first line in the book we note the purpose of his writing. The definite article the suggests a specific message. The content and direction of thought are not revealed at this time. It is the discovery of that message and its practical application to life that shall be the reward for the diligent student of Ecclesiastes.

The goal of the Preacher's words is clearly stated in Ecclesiastes 12:10: The Preacher sought to find delightful words and to write words of truth correctly. It is like a breath of fresh air to discover his intention so refreshingly isolated for all to see. There can be little doubt about his purpose. He wants to find delightful words, and write words of truth correctly. He clarified his purpose further by stating that a Preacher uses his words as goads to prod and drive toward a goal (Ecclesiastes 12:11). He wants the truth of his message to be secured in the minds of his readers as surely as well-driven nails hold fast the carpenter's masterpiece. Although the lessons he teaches us may arise from his own experience, or out of the cultural situation of historic Israel as she struggled under her oft-times foolish king, the Preacher does not want us to miss the fact that it is God who gives us the book! He declares that the words are given by one Shepherd (Ecclesiastes 12:11). Once we see that, regardless of the myriad approaches to the interpretation of the book, we must admit that there is a single well-defined purpose for its writing. Solomon eliminates the possibility of debate over this issue when he writes: The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

Any pathway taken to unlock the mystery of the book of Ecclesiastes has at least one inescapable criterion: it must lead to Solomon's stated conclusion.
Solomon arrives at an exciting, positive conclusion. His thorough examination of all things, and his extensive experimentations with greatness, work, and pleasure, led him to the frustration of dead-end streets and blind alleys. His conclusion in reality is a fresh, new beginning. The entanglements of the world of vanity are behind him and a clear new horizon looms before him. He draws his reader to the inescapable doorway to the new life. A burst of heavenly sunlight drives all the meaningless experiments and observations of the past deeper into the ever darkening shadows of the outer periphery of little concern. His grip now is on his new found truth. He clings to it and to it alone. He has finally managed his priority list in such a way that life becomes worth living and filled with purpose and enjoyment. He has managed to bring into focus, in the center of his existence, the central truth alone worth knowing, and most importantly worth believing. He declares this single truth with a note of triumph: Fear God and keep His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

It is a long, difficult journey from Solomon's opening statement that all is vanity, and his final conclusion to fear God, but at least the reader knows from the beginning the road Solomon intends to travel.

FACT QUESTIONS 1:1

1.

What Bible character best fits the description of Ecclesiastes 1:1?

2.

Until what year did both Jews and Protestants generally ascribe to Solomonic authorship?

3.

List evidence within Ecclesiastes that supports Solomon as the author.

4.

What is implied by the definite article the in reference to the words of the Preacher?

5.

What is the Preacher's goal as clearly stated in Ecclesiastes 12:10-11?

6.

The words of the book are given by whom? (Ecclesiastes 12:11)

7.

Could this reference be speaking of Divine inspiration? Cf. 2 Timothy 3:16.

8.

What single truth does Solomon arrive at in the final analysis? (Ecclesiastes 12:13).