Author's Qualifications

Knowing it was Solomon who wrote Ecclesiastes helps us understand why God inspired him to write this book. He was perfectly positioned to travel every road that promises pleasure and purpose. More than anyone on the planet, he could fully test every theory. Let’s consider Solomon’s situation as recorded in 1st Kings 4:

King of a Thriving Nation

(20) Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.  (21) And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life. 

Solomon ruled over a large, thriving kingdom. It was the biggest and best in Israel’s history. 

And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon. (25)

From Dan (at Israel’s northern border) to Beersheba (at its southern border), Jewish citizens enjoyed extraordinary security and prosperity. In the U.S. we’d say from sea to shining sea. That is, they enjoyed peace and prosperity throughout the land. There weren’t pockets of peace and prosperity mingled with regions of peril and poverty. “Every man under his vine and under his fig tree,” is a vivid way of describing the prosperity and tranquility of the period. How good was it? Well, that’s how the prophet Micah describes life on Earth when God’s sets up His millennial kingdom:

And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it. (Mic 4:3-4)

A Peaceful Reign

Neighboring nations were at peace with Israel (24), paid tribute to and served Solomon his whole life. His reign was free from civil unrest, without external hostilities, and well funded. Solomon wasn’t fighting to survive. This allowed him to pursue life’s deeper questions. You and I may struggle to do the things we’d like to do because we’re too busy dealing with life’s chaos. Solomon had that covered.

Popular and Famous

(22)  And Solomon's provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal,  (23)  Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and fatted fowl.

Solomon was one hungry fella! Kidding. This was the food prepared daily for him “and all that came to Solomon’s table (27).” This tells us He entertained an enormous number of citizens and international visitors. People came from around the world to meet this extraordinary man (34). The Queen of Sheba’s visit with Solomon left her breathless (1Ki 10:1-9). Reality surpassed the stories she had heard about him. Imagine having that many people wanting to be with you every day! To say he was popular is an understatement.

Wisdom

What attracted people to Solomon was his extraordinary wisdom. He was wiser than all men. That exceptional wisdom, used to lead a nation, produced unparalleled peace and prosperity—manifestations of his wisdom.

(29)  And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.  (30)  And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.  (31)  For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.  (32)  And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.

Wisdom was God’s gift to Solomon in answer to prayer:

And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like. (2Ch 1:11-12)

Riches and Wealth

Solomon was fabulously rich! 1st Kings 10:14-29 catalogs his wealth. We won’t go into detail here, but I’d encourage you to read it. In summary, it says:

So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom. And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. (1Ki 10:23-24)

There are some things I’d love to do, but I can’t afford. That’s probably true for you, too. It wasn’t for Solomon. Literally, money was no object for him.

Unchallenged Authority

God made Solomon Israel’s king. He was the nation’s highest authority. His word was law. He ordered his brother, Adonijah, executed for trying to usurp his authority (1Ki 2:24). He removed Abiathar from being High Priest (1Ki 2:27). He had Israel’s commanding general, Joab, executed and replaced him with Benaiah (1Ki 2:28-35). He ruled over Israel’s religious leadership. He ruled over Israel’s military. Imagine having the power to eliminate any adversary; to enact any rule, or embark on any project. You may lack the power to pursue your goals. Solomon didn’t. No one stood in his way.

Women

Solomon didn’t long for female companionship. He had an incredible number of wives and concubines:

But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. (1Ki 11:1-4)

His many mates foreign wives violated God’s command not to take a mate from outside the Jewish nation (Exo 34:16). God also explicitly commanded Israel’s kings not to multiply wives:

Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold. (Deu 17:17)

Wisdom is not substitute for obedience. Solomon got this wrong. Even so, companionship and sexual satisfaction were abundantly available to him.

Summary

Solomon had more of everything that promises pleasure and purpose than you’ll ever have. He fully explored every promising path so you wouldn’t have to. There’s no need to waste your life, only to find out he was right. That’s his point here when he asks “…what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done. 2:12”