Books of Solomon

—writings traditionally associated with Solomon. Proverbs contains thirty-one chapters of wise instruction concerning the fear of God, righteous conduct, family life, speech, work, justice, and the virtuous woman. Ecclesiastes contains twelve chapters and tests the apparent goods of life “under the sun,” finding them vanity when sought as humanity’s highest end; it concludes that the whole duty of humanity is to fear God and keep His commandments. The Song of Songs contains eight chapters and celebrates pure covenant love; the Fathers and the Church have also read it spiritually of Christ and His Church and of the soul’s communion with God.