I was recently at a funeral for a loved one. The preacher read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (KJV) during the service:
1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
What is the meaning of gathering and casting away stones in the context of verse 5? Construction? Agriculture? Punishment by stoning? Is it redundant with "breaking down & building up" in verse 3?
Robert Gordis, following the Midrash Rabbah, understands it as a sexual reference. He translates it as "A time to cast stones - when your wife is clean, and a time to gather stones in - when your wife in unclean". This view has no support apart from the Midrash Rabbah.
R.H. Whybray takes it more literally, "cast away stones" referring to clearing a field for agricultural use, and "gather stones" as deliberately placing stones in an enemy's field to render it difficult and fruitless (see, for example 2 Kings 3:19-25)
The Aramaic Targums, as well as Ibn Ezra, see "cast away stones" as referring to the demolition of an old building, and then "gather together" as laying foundation for a new building
Another possible interpretation may refer to the practice of dropping stones into a grave
Overall it is a difficult verse to interpret. Personally I lean towards the understanding of Whybray that I mention above.
Edit: spelling, grammar.