The book essentially discusses the purpose and pursuit of life within the context of its brevity and inconsistencies. Having explored through observation and exhausted all explanation of what life is like under the sun, the author could only exclaim in exasperation that whatever mortal man does or accomplishes is but a vain show—futile, fleeting and frustrating—because the end for every man, wise or foolish, is the same—death.
And though 'the preacher' endorses wisdom as a necessity for a well-lived earthly life, he does not ascribe eternal value to it. In light of this senseless and temporal existence, one should simply enjoy life fully and take pleasure in one's work, which are ordained by the hand of God (2:24; 3:22).
Solomon was certainly more qualified than anyone to speak about life, since he had everything life could possibly offer—health, wealth, power, wisdom, and the freedom to do anything he ever wanted or could dream of. Yet he concluded that life in itself is completely empty and devoid of hope apart from God, notwithstanding the abundance and enjoyment it affords.
In the end, the fickleness of a life without God stands in sharp contrasted against a fulfilled life that is lived in the fear of the Lord, as the book puts forth the ultimatum:
12:13 Fear God and keep his commandments; for that is the whole duty of every living person.
* According to Jewish tradition, Solomon wrote Song of Songs in his youth, Proverbs in the prime of his life, and Ecclesiastes in his declining years.
1. Vanity of Vanities (1:1-18)
a. Declaration of life's vanities (1:1-11)
A vicious cycle | Nothing new under the sun
b. Personal experience (1:12-18)
Diligent search | Futility of wisdom
2. Vanity of Doing (2:1-26)
a. Indulging in life's pleasures (2:1-11)
Partying | Projects | Possessions
b. Despairing life's emptiness (2:12-26)
Same ending for the wise and foolish
3. Vanity of Having (3:1-6:12)
a. Predetermination of life (3:1-22)
Happenings | Circumstances | Retributions
b. Injustices in life (4:1-16)
Oppression | Labor | Popularity
c. Inadequacies of life (5:1-20)
Religion | Philosophy | Wealth
d. Unpredictability of life (6:1-12)
Property | Posterity | Perspective
4. Vanity of Being (7:1-9:18)
a. Wisdom better than folly (7:1-29)
b. Things beyond our control (8:1-9:6)
Government | God's doings | God's judgment
c. Live and let live (9:7-12)
d. Unreliability of human wisdom (9:13-18)
5. Counsel on Living Well (10:1-11:10)
a. Some wise observations (10:1-15)
b. Some wise advices (10:16-11:10)
6. Counsel on True Living (12:1-14)
a. Remember your Creator (12:1-8)
b. Fear God and obey Him (12:9-14)
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