Ecclesiastes 12

Ecclesiastes 12:2

2—7. While the sun, &c.] The striking description of old age which here follows may thus be paraphrased. Before thine eyes grow dim with age, so that thou dost not clearly discern the sun, moon, and stars; and before the evils and miseries of age succeed one another in a woeful vicissitude: before the time that thine arms, which are the guard of this thy house of clay, shall tremble with palsies; and thy legs, which are thy strong supporters, shall bow themselves; and thy teeth grind slowly and with difficulty, because they are few; and thine eyes, which are as glasses in the windows of the head, are dusky and darkened: when the street doors shall be and those that look out of the windows be darkened,

Ecclesiastes 12:6

6. Or ever the silver cord &c.] The expressions of this verse are by many understood (in a sense differing from that of Bp. Hall, just given) to bear allusion to different parts of the human body. The “silver cord” is thought to mean the thread of life, the spinal marrow; the “golden bowl” to express the heart; and “the wheel at the cistern” the tubes and arteries about it. Bp. Horne, Dr. Hodgson. Before CHRIST about 977. The preacher’s care to edify. The general conclusion. Before CHRIST about 977. d 1 Kings 4. 32. of delight. preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and d set in order many proverbs.

Ecclesiastes 12:11

11. The words of the wise &c.] The words of the wise, and so these instructions, are intended, and ought to excite men to virtue, as goads excite the ox to go forward: and, as nails fastened in a board stick fast, so should these instructions stick fast in the minds of men; which they will the less fail to do, if duly inculcated by “the masters of assemblies,” or those who rule and govern in the sacred assemblies; which masters or teachers are appointed and directed by “one Shepherd” or Supreme Governour, namely, God. Dr. Wells.

Ecclesiastes 12:12

12. And further, by these, my son, be admonished: &c.] Therefore be advised, my son, (or whoever thou art that shalt read these things, whose happiness I wish as my own,) be advised by me, and not only believe these things, but rest contented with such useful knowledge, and do not trouble thyself with composing or reading many books; for all that is needful to instruct men how to be happy may be comprised in a few wise pre-

Ecclesiastes 12:13

13. Let us hear the conclusion &c.] Solomon, to whom God gave a wise and understanding heart, so that before him there was none like him, neither shall any like him arise after him, who had carefully considered, and thoroughly examined, all things under the sun, and was therefore most likely to give a true judgment, gives his clear opinion in this affectionate conclusion of his book, “Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole,” the whole duty and happiness “of man;” this is that alone which will carry him securely through the world, and lead him without error to his final happiness. Dr. S. Clarke. Before CHRIST about 977. Or, The end of the matter, even all that hath been heard, is. c Rom. 2. 16. & 14. 10.