The Book of Ecclesiastes is one of the wisdom books of the Old Testament. It was likely written by King Solomon during his elder years. The book explores life’s deepest questions about the meaning of existence, the purpose of life, and how to live wisely and well. Ecclesiastes presents a naturalistic perspective that views life “under the sun” apart from revelation or redemption. The narrator, commonly identified as the voice of Solomon, relates his experiences and observations of the futility of pursuing meaning in worldly things like wisdom, pleasure, riches, labor, and power. The predominant theme running through Ecclesiastes is that life seems meaningless, full of vanity, toil, and unanswered questions. However, the final chapters conclude that the secret to life is to fear God, keep His commandments, and enjoy life as a gift from Him (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
Summary by Chapter
Chapter 1
The narrator opens by declaring that life is meaningless – “vanity of vanities” – because nothing is eternal and nothing is truly satisfying (Ecclesiastes 1:1-2). Generations come and go but the earth remains forever (1:4). The sun rises and sets and the winds blow round in circles (1:5-6). All of man’s labor is filled with toil and yet yields nothing truly new or lasting (1:3, 8-11). No amount of wisdom or knowledge can provide the answers to life’s meaning because both the wise and foolish share the same fate – death (1:12-18). Overall, the narrator laments that nothing in life has purpose when everyone faces the same end.
Chapter 2
The narrator relates his attempt to find meaning through self-gratification and pleasure like wine, gardens, property, and entertainment (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11). However, he concludes that even laughter and pleasure are meaningless, like “chasing after the wind” (2:11). He realizes that wise people and fools meet the same end – death (2:12-16). He hates life because he must leave the fruits of his labor to someone who hasn’t worked for it (2:17-23). There is nothing better for man to do than to find satisfaction in his work and enjoy life’s simple pleasures as gifts from God (2:24-26). But no one can understand God’s overall plan from beginning to end (3:11). The chapter ends with the commentary that it is better to be content with what you have than overworked trying to gain more, because anxiety steals the enjoyment of life (Ecclesiastes 4:6).
Chapter 3
This famous chapter declares that there is an appointed season and time for everything under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). Yet God has also set eternity in man’s heart, though we cannot understand all God’s purposes from beginning to end (3:9-11). We cannot add anything or take anything from God’s plan, so we should enjoy life and not overanalyze our work (3:12-15). In the end, righteous and wicked people face the same destiny – death (3:16-22). Therefore, we should simply enjoy life as a gift from God rather than be preoccupied by the seeming injustice of life.
Chapter 4
The narrator observes that the oppressed are better off dead, and there is no comfort for the living who witness injustice (Ecclesiastes 4:1-3). Work and skill stem from rivalry with others, which is again vanity and chasing the wind (4:4-6). Being alone without family is meaningless, but overworking to enrich heirs is also futile (4:7-8). Two people working together are better than one, because their labor has good returns (4:9-12). Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king (4:13-16). Therefore, fulfilling work and social connection are among life’s simple blessings to enjoy.
Chapter 5
Rash vows made to God are foolish, so it is better not to make vows (Ecclesiastes 5:1-7). Corrupt leadership and wealth inequality are oppressive vanities (5:8-9). Those who love wealth are never satisfied, and constantly busy earning money which ultimately benefits others (5:10-12). Riches can disappear quickly through misfortune (5:13-14). Just as we came from our mother’s womb naked, we depart life as we came (5:15). We labor but cannot carry any material gains with us (5:16). It is better to eat, drink, and enjoy life’s simple gifts than pursue wealth and possessions that are fleeting (5:18-20). Life is short and uncertain, so enjoy blessings, wealth and work as gifts from God rather than sources of anxiety.
Chapter 6
The narrator observes that even if a person lived 2,000 years but did not enjoy life, their long existence is vain (Ecclesiastes 6:1-6). All of man’s labor is for his appetite, yet both remain unsatisfied (6:7). What advantage does a wise man have over a fool? (6:8). The uncertainty and fleetingness of wealth makes it futile to pursue (6:9-12). Only God endures while human schemes amount to nothing (6:13-14). We simply cannot comprehend God’s overall plan (6:15). So it is better to enjoy simple blessings now than strive after elusive meaning through human wisdom and effort.
Chapter 7
A good reputation and day of death are better than birth (Ecclesiastes 7:1-4). Rebuke from the wise is better than foolish songs (7:5-7). Patience is better than pride (7:8-10). Wisdom and an inheritance are both good and helpful (7:11-12). Accept prosperity from God and adversity too because we cannot understand God’s plan (7:13-14). Righteous people perish in righteousness and wicked people live long lives – so avoid overrighteousness and wickedness (7:15-18). Wisdom strengthens the wise more than weapons or sinners (7:19-22). The narrator shares how he has examined wisdom and folly to understand life, but true wisdom is beyond mortal reach (7:23-29). God made mankind upright, yet they seek schemes – so simply fear God and keep His commands (7:29-30).
Chapter 8
Wisdom illuminates a person’s face and offers protection like a sovereign’s command (Ecclesiastes 8:1-5). We cannot know or control future events from beginning to end (8:6-8). The narrator saw wicked people buried and praised who should have been forgotten for their evil deeds (8:9-10). Justice is not swiftly carried out so people pursue evil schemes without fear (8:11-13). Life seems unfair and senseless (8:14-15). Despite our inability to understand all of God’s purposes in this life, we should still enjoy it as a gift from God rather than wear ourselves out over apparent futility and injustice (8:15-17). Simple enjoyment of life is our portion in this world (8:15).
Chapter 9
The righteous and wise face the same fate as evildoers – death (Ecclesiastes 9:1-3). While you are alive, there is hope, so it is better to be a live dog than a dead lion (9:4-6). Enjoy eating, drinking and your work because death ends all activity (9:7-10). Time and chance happen to all. Man does not know his time of misfortune (9:11-12). Wisdom is great but neglected and despised (9:13-16). Words of the wise heard calmly are better than the shouting of a foolish ruler (9:17-18). Wisdom is better than might (9:13-18). This fleeting life is full of vanity, so we should simply enjoy life’s simple blessings from God while we can.
Chapter 10
A little folly outweighs wisdom and honor (Ecclesiastes 10:1). A fool’s heart directs him wrongly and exposes his folly (10:2-3). If a ruler’s anger rises against you, don’t abandon your post in hasty offense (10:4-7). Whoever digs a pit may fall in it and whoever quarries stones may be hurt by them (10:8-9). Wisdom makes success more likely but does not guarantee it (10:10). A fool’s words bring ruin and his speech ends in madness (10:12-14). Even childish rulers oppress the people (10:16-17). Folly leads to self-indulgence and laziness (10:18). Money enables enjoyment so pursue wisdom not riches (10:19-20). Be discreet in speech because birds may report what you say (10:20).
Chapter 11
Be generous, diligent and unafraid of risk because you cannot predict which ventures may succeed (Ecclesiastes 11:1-6). Enjoy life’s simple pleasures as gifts from God while you are young and able before old age and death come (11:7-10). Remember your Creator while young before life’s troubles arise and the body deteriorates (12:1-7). The author sums up that all is vain without knowing and fearing God and keeping His commands (12:8). Life’s true purpose is found in revering God and obeying Him rather than pursuing human wisdom, pleasure or achievement which all end in death. We cannot comprehend the fullness of God’s plan from beginning to end. Therefore, we should simply enjoy life as His gift, fear Him and obey Him.
Chapter 12
The narrator uses symbolic language to describe the difficulties of old age (Ecclesiastes 12:1-7). He concludes that all of life is meaningless without knowing, fearing and obeying God (12:8). The teacher examined and arranged many proverbs, seeking to write truthfully (12:9-10). The words of the wise are useful for goading and firmly embedding truth, through the guidance of a singular Shepherd (12:11). Overall, the purpose of life is to revere God and obey His commands (12:13-14). God will judge everything, even what is hidden (12:14).