His father David dedicated a Psalm to his son (Psalms 72:1)
and Solomon also penned a Psalm of instruction (Psalms 127:1)
Solomon, i.e. "the Preacher", also penned two
additional Books of the Bible (Proverbs 1:1; Canticles 1:1)
Solomon, i.e. "the Preacher", sought out "ACCEPTABLE
WORDS", i.e. "WORDS OF TRUTH" (12:10)
The WORDS, "ALL IS VANITY" - referring to the
"WORKS ,,, DONE UNDER THE SUN" (1:14)
- are indeed "WORDS OF TRUTH" (12:10) that are confirmed by He Who is the Truth (John 8:32,36), e.g.
The expression "vanity of vanities" (1:2)
is a Hebrew idiom, which emphasizes utter futility much as the expression
"servant of servant
s" (Genesis 9:25) emphasizes total subjection
Is there ANY PROFIT FROM man's EARTHLY LABOR (1:3)?
Just as the elements (sun, wind, water) move in their
REPETITIVE fixed courses (1:5-7), so there is NOTHING NEW for man to discover (1:9-10 cf. Acts 17:21)
The Preacher in his Divinely given wisdom (1:12-13)
observed that all man's works are VAIN (1:14),
because he "cannot make straight that which is crooked" and "cannot number that which is WANTING"
(1:15
cf. Matthew 6:27)
Solomon's wisdom was greater than all who preceeded him
(1:16
cf. I Kings 4:29-34):
That Solomon's wisdom exceeded all that of other earthly
rulers was attested to by the Lord Himself (Matthew 12:42 cf. I Kings 10:1-7)
Solomon's "GREAT ESTATE" (riches) was also a
gift from the Lord (I Kings 3:11-13)
The pursuit of earthly wisdom
is a "vexation of spirit" (1:17):
Solomon of all men was uniquely qualified (I Kings 3:11-13)
to know and experience "MADNESS". i.e. boastful extravagance - that which pertained to his "GREAT
ESTATE" (1:16
cf. I Kings 10:23-29)
Solomon also desired to know the contrasting experience
of self denial, i.e. "FOLLY" (1:17)
The result of BOTH of these polar opposite EXPERIENCES
was a "VEXATION OF SPIRIT" (1:17)
Paul encountered in Athens (the seat of ancient culture
and learning) proponents of BOTH these contrasting philosophical systems of thought - they BOTH called him a "BABBLER"
(Acts 17:16-18)
BOTH were engaged in an ENDLESS PURSUIT of discovering
SOMETHING "NEW" which would satisfy (Acts 17:19-21), i.e. they were "EVER LEARNING and NEVER ABLE to come to the knowledge
of the truth" (II Timothy 3:7 cf. Acts 17:32)
Man's vast libraries attest to the truth of the admonition,
that "of making MANY books there is NO END; and MUCH study is a WEARINESS of the flesh" (12:12)