Ecclesiastes 12:9

And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, [and] set in order many proverbs.

Ver. 9. And moreover, because the Preacher was wise.] He well knew how hard it was to work men to a belief of what he had affirmed concerning earthly vanities, and therefore heaps up here many forcible and cogent arguments; as, first, that himself was no baby, but wise above all men in the world, by God's own testimony; therefore his words should be well regarded. Oι σοφοι ημων δευτερωσι, Our wise men expound today (said the Jews one to another), "Come, let us go up to the house of the Lord," &c. Cicero had that high opinion of Plato for his wisdom, that he professed that he would rather go wrong with him than go right with others. Averroes overly admired Aristotle, as if he had been infallible. But this is a praise proper to the holy penman, guided by the spirit of truth, and filled with wisdom from on high for the purpose. To them, therefore, and to the word of prophecy by them, must men "give heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place," &c. 2Pe 1:19

He still taught the people knowledge.] He hid not his talent in a napkin, but used it to the instruction of his people. "Have not I written for thee excellent things" (or three various types of books - viz., proverbial, penitential, nuptial) "in counsels and knowledge?" Pro 22:20 Synesius speaks of some that, having great worth in them, will as soon part with their hearts a as with their conceptions. And Gregory observeth, b that there are not a few who, being enriched with spiritual gifts and abilities to do good, dum solis contemplationis studiis inardescunt, parere utilitati proximorum praedicatione refugiunt, while they burn in the studies of contemplation only, do shun to seek by preaching to profit their neighbours. Solomon was none of these.

Yea, he gave good heed.] Or, He made them to take good heed; c he called upon them ever and anon, as our Saviour did upon his hearers, "Let him that hath an ear to hear, hear." Or as the deacons in Chrysostom's and Basil's time used to call upon the people, in these words, Oremus, attendamus, Let us pray, let us give heed.

And sought out.] By diligent scrutiny and hard study, beating his brains, as the fowl beats the shell to get out the fish, with great vehemence. The staves were always in the ark, to show, saith Gregory, that preachers should always meditate in their hearts upon the sacred Scriptures, that if need require they may without delay take up the ark, teach the people.

And set in order many proverbs.] Marshalled them in a fit method, and set others awork for to do the like. For, Regis ad exemplum, &c. Our Henry I, surnamed Beauclerc, had in his youth some taste of learning; and this put many of his subjects into the fashion of the book, so that various learned men flourished in his time, d as Ethan, Heman, Chalcola as Agur, and other compilers of proverbs did in Solomon's.

a Yαρρον μεν την καρδιαν. - Synes.

b Past. Cur., p. i. c. 5.

c Auscultare fecit. - Pag. Ar. Montan.

d Daniel's History. 68.