`The giving of wisdom' (Prov. 2:6; Eccles. 2:26; 1 Kings 5.12).

`To know wisdom' (Prov. 1:2; Eccles. 1:17; 7:25; 8:16).

`To seek wisdom' (Prov. 2:4; 14:6; Eccles. 7:25).

`The heart of a wise man' (Prov. 1:6; Eccles. 9:17; 12:11).

`Wealth' (nekasim) (Eccles. 5:19; 6:2; 2 Chron. 1:11,12; Josh. 22:8). In Joshua the A.V. translates `riches', but

`wealth' in all other places.

The four Aramaic words of Grotius look small against this list of words peculiar to Solomon, and inasmuch as

one of them is used by Moses as we have shown, there are but three Aramaic words to be considered in this

Besides the above there is also the witness of style to be considered. Notice, for example, the way in which the

word grace is used. The use of chen absolutely, is a feature of Proverbs. See 1:9; 3:4,22,34; 4:9; 5:19; 11:16;

13:15; 17:8; 22:1; 22:11; 28:23; 31:30. In Ecclesiastes 9:11; 10:12 it is used in the same way.

The meaning of the expression `the use of chen absolutely' may call for a word of explanation. In forty passages

chen is preceded by the word that means `to find', as `to find favour in the eyes of some one'. In other passages chen

is preceded by `to give' or `to obtain'.

In these passages the word chen is used relatively, and up to the time of writing the Psalms this word is never

used absolutely. There we read `Grace is poured into thy lips' (Psa. 45:2) and `The Lord will give grace' (Psa.

84:11), and it is this absolute use of the word that is characteristic also of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.

Love occurs 18 times in Proverbs, Song of Solomon and Ecclesiastes, and is used absolutely in every place,

except Proverbs 5:19 and Ecclesiastes 9:6. These three books occupy 42 pages. The word occurs elsewhere 22

times in 568 pages, and is used absolutely at the most on three occasions. If there is any argument in style, this is

My son is always an appellative in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. So also is the term `The sons of men' (Eccles.

8:11; 9:3; Prov. 15:11; 1 Kings 8:39; 2 Chron. 6:30).

`The heart knoweth'. - This expression is peculiar to Solomon (1 Kings 2:44; Prov. 14:10; Eccles. 7:22; 8:5).

`Assembler' (Koheleth), which is the word translated `Preacher', is the language of David's time. David and

Solomon were the only kings who assembled the congregation (1 Kings 8:1,2; 1 Chron. 28:1). This signal honour is

enshrined in the name adopted in Ecclesiastes. So with `nails' and `bowl', both have to do with the Temple.

`Peculiar treasure' is used of God six times. Twice only is it used of man (1 Chron. 29:3; Eccles. 2:8). The

peculiarities of Ecclesiastes are all in favour of its Solomonic authorship.

The reader who is not yet satisfied with either the quantity or the quality of the evidence here brought together is

recommended to consult `A Treatise on the Authorship of Ecclesiastes' by D. Johnston, the book which has supplied

most of the data here assembled. We are convinced that Solomon is the author and have adopted this position

throughout this booklet. We also believe that Ecclesiastes is inspired Scripture and have treated it accordingly.

Who would think of treating the Psalms in the way that Ecclesiastes is treated even by the orthodox? and yet many,

if not most, of the Psalms are in their primary setting the experiences and the findings of men who had not even the

`wisdom of Solomon'.

Asaph's experience recorded in Psalm 73, so parallel in many ways with the outlook of Ecclesiastes, is accepted

as inspired truth by the very ones who in their superiority speak of Ecclesiastes as `under the sun'! Surely

Ecclesiastes has himself summed up the true nature of all adverse criticism in his inimitable words, `Vanity of

vanities, all is vanity'.

The same kind friend who provided the incentive to issue this booklet, wrote the Preface and also supplied the

following structure. As this book largely consists of articles taken from The Berean Expositor of 1921, it would