1 Words of a preacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem:
I, a preacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.
See, this I have found, said the Preacher, one to one, to find out the reason
Vanity of vanities, said the preacher, the whole `is' vanity. And further, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge, and gave ear, and sought out -- he made right many similes. The preacher sought to find out pleasing words, and, written `by' the upright, words of truth.
And the days that Solomon hath reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel `are' forty years, and Solomon lieth with his fathers, and is buried in the city of David his father, and reign doth Rehoboam his son in his stead.
And Solomon reigneth in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years,
As to the sons of Israel who are dwelling in the cities of Judah -- Rehoboam reigneth over them. And king Rehoboam sendeth Hadoram, who `is' over the tribute, and the sons of Israel cast at him stones, and he dieth; and king Rehoboam hath strengthened himself to go up into a chariot to flee to Jerusalem; and Israel transgress against the house of David unto this day.
And also, prophets thou hast appointed to call for thee in Jerusalem, saying, A king `is' in Judah, and now it is heard by the king according to these words; and now come, and we take counsel together.'
I have proclaimed tidings of righteousness In the great assembly, lo, my lips I restrain not, O Jehovah, Thou hast known.
and the old world did not spare, but the eighth person, Noah, of righteousness a preacher, did keep, a flood on the world of the impious having brought,
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Ecclesiastes 1
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 1 Matthew Henry Commentary
An Exposition, With Practical Observations, of
The Book of Ecclesiastes
Chapter 1
In this chapter we have,
And, if this is vanity and vexation, all other things in this world, being much inferior to it in dignity and worth, must needs be so too. A great scholar cannot be happy unless he be a true saint.
Ecc 1:1-3
Here is,
Ecc 1:4-8
To prove the vanity of all things under the sun, and their insufficiency to make us happy, Solomon here shows,
Ecc 1:9-11
Two things we are apt to take a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction in, and value ourselves upon, with reference to our business and enjoyments in the world, as if they helped to save them from vanity. Solomon shows us our mistake in both.
Ecc 1:12-18
Solomon, having asserted in general that all is vanity, and having given some general proofs of it, now takes the most effectual method to evince the truth of it,