1. ECCLESIASTES

2. Written by Solomon later in his life around 935 B.C.

3. Ecclesiastes 1:1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Solomon is the only son of David that was king in Jerusalem. When you read Ecclesiastes 1:12 – 2:11, you will see that this writer was the king of Israel, known for his wisdom, known for his luxuries, and for his accomplishments in building and business. Ecclesiastes 12:9 says that he set in order many proverbs. Who else could this be other than Solomon? Ecclesiastes 1:1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Solomon is the only son of David that was king in Jerusalem. When you read Ecclesiastes 1:12 – 2:11, you will see that this writer was the king of Israel, known for his wisdom, known for his luxuries, and for his accomplishments in building and business. Ecclesiastes 12:9 says that he set in order many proverbs. Who else could this be other than Solomon?

4. The key word in our book is vanity, which occurs 37 times.

5. The key chapter is Chapter 12 Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all. The key chapter is Chapter 12 Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all.

6. Colossians 3:1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

7. 1:1-11 Introduction 1:12-18 Solomon seeks happiness in wisdom 2:1-26 in wealth 3:1-5:20 in prominence, power, prestige 6:1-8:17 in pleasure. 9:1-12:7 Solomon discovers that genuine happiness is not in wisdom, wealth, prominence, and pleasure, but through devotion to duty here, and preparation for the life to come. 12:8-13 Conclusion. 1:1-11 Introduction 1:12-18 Solomon seeks happiness in wisdom 2:1-26 in wealth 3:1-5:20 in prominence, power, prestige 6:1-8:17 in pleasure. 9:1-12:7 Solomon discovers that genuine happiness is not in wisdom, wealth, prominence, and pleasure, but through devotion to duty here, and preparation for the life to come. 12:8-13 Conclusion.

8. Ecclesiastes 1:1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 2 "Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher; "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity." 3 What profit has a man from all his labor In which he toils under the sun? 4 One generation passes away, and another generation comes; But the earth abides forever. 5 The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, And hastens to the place where it arose. 6 The wind goes toward the south, And turns around to the north; The wind whirls about continually, And comes again on its circuit. 7 All the rivers run into the sea, Yet the sea is not full; To the place from which the rivers come, There they return again. 8 All things are full of labor; Man cannot express it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, Nor the ear filled with hearing.

9. 9 That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun. 10 Is there anything of which it may be said, "See, this is new"? It has already been in ancient times before us. 11 There is no remembrance of former things, Nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come By those who will come after.

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

11. "Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher; "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity."

12. 3 What profit has a man from all his labor In which he toils under the sun?

13. Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?

14. One generation passes away, and another generation comes; But the earth abides forever.

15. Our word “forever” is used to describe: the Sabbath (Ex. 31:17) the Passover (Ex. 12:14) burnt offerings (Ex. 29:42) These things only lasted until the time of the cross when Jesus nailed these requirements to the cross (Col. 2:14). Our word “forever” is used to describe: the Sabbath (Ex. 31:17) the Passover (Ex. 12:14) burnt offerings (Ex. 29:42) These things only lasted until the time of the cross when Jesus nailed these requirements to the cross (Col. 2:14).

16. 2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.

17. 5 The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, And hastens to the place where it arose. 6 The wind goes toward the south, And turns around to the north; The wind whirls about continually, And comes again on its circuit. 7 All the rivers run into the sea, Yet the sea is not full; To the place from which the rivers come, There they return again.

19. 8 All things are full of labor; Man cannot express it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, Nor the ear filled with hearing. 9 That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun. 10 Is there anything of which it may be said, "See, this is new"? It has already been in ancient times before us. 11 There is no remembrance of former things, Nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come By those who will come after.

20. Ecclesiastes 1:12 I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may be exercised. 14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind. 15 What is crooked cannot be made straight, And what is lacking cannot be numbered.

21. And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may be exercised.

22. 1 Kings 3:11 Then God said to him: "Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, 12 "behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. 13 "And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days.

23. 14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind. 15 What is crooked cannot be made straight, And what is lacking cannot be numbered.

24. SOLOMON IDENTIFIES AT LEAST 18 THINGS THAT ARE VAIN 1. All the works of men (1:14). 2. Pleasure (2:1). 3. The profit from one’s labor (2:11). 4. The quest for wisdom (2:15). 5. The focus on earthly accomplishments (2:21). 6. An over-emphasis or mis-emphasis on life and living (3:19). 7. Competition (4:4). 8. Stockpiling riches (4:7,8). 9. Trying to please everyone (4:16). 10. The foolish use of words and promises (5:4-7). SOLOMON IDENTIFIES AT LEAST 18 THINGS THAT ARE VAIN 1. All the works of men (1:14). 2. Pleasure (2:1). 3. The profit from one’s labor (2:11). 4. The quest for wisdom (2:15). 5. The focus on earthly accomplishments (2:21). 6. An over-emphasis or mis-emphasis on life and living (3:19). 7. Competition (4:4). 8. Stockpiling riches (4:7,8). 9. Trying to please everyone (4:16). 10. The foolish use of words and promises (5:4-7).

25. 11. Money (5:10-12). 12. Having wealth but failing to properly use it (6:1-6). 13. Being able to use words masterfully (6:11). 14. Associating with those who do not think soberly about life (7:6). 15. Man’s attitude toward evil (8:10). 16. The system of justice and retribution (8:14). 17. The desire to retrieve the past (11:8). 18. Death itself (12:1-8). 11. Money (5:10-12). 12. Having wealth but failing to properly use it (6:1-6). 13. Being able to use words masterfully (6:11). 14. Associating with those who do not think soberly about life (7:6). 15. Man’s attitude toward evil (8:10). 16. The system of justice and retribution (8:14). 17. The desire to retrieve the past (11:8). 18. Death itself (12:1-8).

26. Ecclesiastes 1:16 I communed with my heart, saying, "Look, I have attained greatness, and have gained more wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My heart has understood great wisdom and knowledge." 17 And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind. 18 For in much wisdom is much grief, And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

27. Acts 17:30 "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 "because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained.