Ecclesiastes to  Proverbs

Solomon's proverbs.

Proverbs

9Because the preacher was wise he taught the people knowledge, yes he paid careful attention and sought out and composed many proverbs. H Proverbs 1:1 Ecclesiastes 12:9-12 (Ecclesiastes 12:9 BRB)
1The proverbs H Ecclesiastes 12:9 A Deuteronomy 28:37 A 1 Kings 9:7 A 2 Chronicles 7:20 A Jeremiah 24:9 S Ephesians 5:15 FE of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel. Proverbs 1:1 (Proverbs 1:1 BRB)

Near the end of the book, Ecclesiastes says Solomon sought and composed many proverbs.

Those proverbs that Solomon wrote and collected become the book of Proverbs. Most of the proverbs in the book of Proverbs were written by Solomon, but some were collected from other composers. For example, later in time, the friends of King Hezekiah wrote some proverbs that were included in the book of Proverbs.

FE 1These also are profound proverbs of Solomon, which the friends of Hezekiah, king of Judah, wrote. Proverbs 25:1 (Proverbs 25:1 BRB)

Fear of Yahvah

13Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. Fear the Master and preserve his commandments, for this is given by 1 master to every man. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (Ecclesiastes 12:13 BRB)
7The fear of the Master is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise knowledge and instruction. Proverbs 1:7 (Proverbs 1:7 BRB)

After 12 chapters of experimentation and vanity Solomon offers a conclusion at the end of Ecclesiastes. He says the fear of God is what's important. Fear of God is where Proverbs begins.

The way Proverbs states that fearing God is the beginning of wisdom means nothing Solomon did in Ecclesiastes prior to reaching his conclusion was actually borne of wisdom. He did want he wanted, ignoring God, and contemplated the experience after the fact.

The lesson for the observant reader is that you do not have to try all the stuff Solomon did to find contentment. His conclusion is where you should begin. The real journey begins by fearing God.

So Ecclesiastes gets it coming and going. Job shows a better way than Ecclesiastes and Proverbs says wisdom begins where Ecclesiastes ends.

Ryan Eaton 2008-09-12 2010-10-28