5th T'hillim, Kohelet class

It's proving very helpful for me to "reflect" on the lessons; otherwise much less would stay in my head. I wonder if anyone's reading these, but at least the writing is good for me. We're finally getting into what I really wanted, more of the history of what was happening to King David at the time. Today we all felt that the energies and forces King Saul was devoting/wasting in his fight against David was eerily similar to today's Israeli politics, when the government is investigating loyal citizens instead of destroying terrorism. And their plans to destroy Jewish communities, instead of destroying terrorism, and that the arab terrorists of today adopted a name based on our Biblical enemy, the one King Saul was supposed to be fighting.

We're still in T'hilim XXXI, 8, 9, 10
There's a sort of play on words with narrow, wide and trouble. Trouble and narrow have the same root. KD thanks G-d for rescuing him from his troubles and enemies. Then he complains that all the "worrying" has damaged his vision. And we discussed the emotional cause of illness. Somehow we mentioned the neurological, heart and digestive, but we didn't mention cancer. Two of the members of the group are bli eyin haraa cancer survivors and should only know good health; of course that goes for all.
We discussed KD's emotional strength. He was so "old" though not in age in the haftara of a couple of weeks ago. All those years he had to overcome hatred and persecution, when he repressed his desire to revenge against his family and Saul, and he always seemed so "up." that's when he was writing T'hilim, how he confided his pain, fear and doubts, always showing faith. apparently he paid a very heavy physical price. (11) He felt himself wasting away.
12, and back up from Shmuel XXII, 7? People were afraid to be associated with KD. It was dangerous. Saul murdered 85 Kohanim whom he accused of being allied with KD. It seriously affected KD; he felt responsible and couldn't understand how anyone could possibly support him because of the danger. He told Evyatar that he took responisbility.
14, KD knew that Saul sent "police" to kill him. Michal his wife and Saul's daughter rescued him.
Saul was made king for the wrong reasons. The people demanded that Shmuel make them a king, like all the other nations, (sounds like many Israelis of today), Shmuel Alef, VIII, 7, people wanted someone to blame their problems on. instead of taking personal responisibility. True leadershiop should show people how to properly behave, be strong ruchani, spiritual and moral. Saul was superficial and for years I've been saying that he was appointed because he looked like a king and in the end he was a disaster.
During KD's lifetime people didn't know of his ruchani depths. They know of him as the giant/Goliath killer and hero. It was only afterwards, when people got to know his writings, T'hilim, that his true greatness became known.
In biblical times, the navi and kohen, prophet and priest were responisble for the spiritual level/life of the people.
15-17, KD said that everyone knows that G-d helps him, and the evil ones should be embarrased; he himself has nothing to be embarrassed about. KD asked Saul why?

whew!

Kohelet II, 8
King Solomon wants to know what brings joy to others. He's contantly searching.
10, found joy in all that he did when he was doing it, but after finishing, the joy was gone.
11, It was nothing, temporary
then he had a 4th theory/idea study
14-5 light vs dark
foolish vs intelligent/wise
then decided that since both die in the end, there's no difference
a fool or evil one can take the 'chochma" and destroy it.
What's the pupose of studying, a waste--sounds like many of the youth of today--
20, who cares?
how to raise kids, make them "suffer," work hard or give them everything you can?
Some work, make a fortune and then it disappears, all their work for nothing
use what you have, because what remains?