Solomon's Search for Satisfaction

This write-up contains life lessons from the Book of Ecclesiastes that encourage us to keep God first in our lives. It is always best to learn from the mistakes of others. Solomon, through God’s wisdom, passes on some nuggets of truth from his life’s experiences. The article closes with Solomon’s recommendation as to how we should approach life. 

The Author of the Book and Seven Things about him 

Ecclesiastes 1:1, 12, 16 reveal that Solomon, “Son of David, king in Jerusalem” is the author of the book of Ecclesiastes. In this book, there are at least 7 things mentioned about the author, namely:

1.    He had “more wisdom than all who were before him” (1:16, see 1 Kings 3:12)

2.    He gathered for himself “silver and gold and the special treasures of kings” (2:8; see 1 Kings 10:11-23)

3.    He “acquired male and female servants” in great numbers (2:7; see 1 Kings 9:20-23).

4.    He engaged in extensive building projects (2:4-6; see 1 Kings 9:1-19)

5.    He developed a great understanding of plants, birds, and natural phenomena (2:4-7; see 1 Kings 4:33).

6.    He declared, “there is a not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin” (7:20; see 1 Kings 8:46), and

7.    “He pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs” (12:9; see 1 Kings 4:32). [1]

The Key Lesson of the Book of Ecclesiastes

As far as the timeframe and intent of the Book of Ecclesiastes, “Solomon probably wrote this book toward the end of his life, after he had repented of idolatry and his pursuit of foreign wives. Thus, the Book of Ecclesiastes is both a monument to Solomon’s commitment to the living God and a guide for others through the pitfalls and perils of life.” [2]

To learn from Solomon, it is important to consider one of the phrases, “nothing new under the sun,” which he uses in the book of Ecclesiastes. I believe it expresses King Solomon’s skepticism and despair about life, especially when he didn’t have God at the driving seat of his life.  “When Solomon wrote the statement, he was emphasizing the cyclic nature of human life on earth and the emptiness of living only for the ‘rat race.’” [3]

Solomon thought learning, luxury, lust and liquor could satisfy him. He, therefore, tried diverse things hoping they would bring meaning to his life. Unfortunately, they did not make him happy. No wonder, he exclaims in the book of Ecclesiastes that, “Meaningless! Everything is meaningless under the sun.” In other words, they were not satisfactory. Only God could fill the void in his life.  

Examined from another viewpoint, Solomon sought fulfilment in wisdom, pleasure, and possessions (1:12-18; 2:1-3; 2:4-6; 2:7-17) and the result was emptiness (1:18; 2:1; 2:11; 2:17). After he had tried it all, he stated that it was all, “Vanity of vanities…” Vanity is "the futile emptiness of trying to be happy [or satisfied] apart from God." (Nelson’s NKJV Study Bible). I'm glad King Solomon turns to the Lord eventually and concludes the last chapter of the book with these words: "When all has been heard, the end of the matter is: fear God [worship Him with awe-filled reverence, knowing that He is almighty God] and keep His commandments, for this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, every hidden and secret thing, whether it is good or evil" (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, Amplified Bible).

Other Thoughts about the Key Lesson of the Book of Ecclesiastes

Below are some additional thoughts or commentaries on the key lesson of the Book of Ecclesiastes. May they encourage you and me to make sure that God is part of the equation of life. Be blessed as you review them:

1.       Life without God is, Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. The lesson the teacher learned from his wasted life is stated for the benefit of others, is, "The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man" Eccl 12:13 ~Jeba Asir 

2.       “I hated life…” (Ecclesiastes 2:17). Certainly, a statement that deserves our attention from “the wisest, richest and most influential king in Israel’s history”! King Solomon reasons that life “under the sun,” (apart from God) is empty and lacks meaning. He hated it because it was like a “chasing after the wind.” In his pursuit to find fulfillment for his life, he realizes that no “power, popularity, prestige or pleasure” could fill the God-shaped void in a person’s life, but God Himself. However, his remarks in the last chapter show, life takes on meaning and purpose and, consequently, skepticism and despair go out the window, as we “fear God,” and “keep His commandments.”

3.       “Life under the sun when everything has been tried and tested is vanity and meaningless apart from God. But life with the SON finds ultimate satisfaction and meaning.” Also, “As Solomon puts it in the book, there is a great message for our youth to seek the Creator while young.” ~Hash Gudka  

4.       “I think the message of Ecclesiastes is simple, but very deep. Solomon is telling us he's enjoyed great riches and great power and he's seen events unfold personally, nationally, and globally -- there was probably no person of his time with a broader array of life experience than Solomon. So that's the context: the wisest of men with the greatest experience is about to share the secrets of the universe and this is what he has to say: everything we value, everything we think we know, every metric we use to determine success, happiness, influence, and intellect is folly. God makes all these determinations, and His ways are infinitely good and infinitely beyond us. So, be at rest, and live with it.” ~ Jay Barnett 

5.       “Earthly pleasures and public honor pass so fast and are not at all fulfilling - only knowing God lasts beyond tomorrow's heartache. ~Cameron Armstrong

In summary, “Solomon drifted away from God during his lifetime, pursuing different ways to achieve satisfaction [or happiness]. Only after many years of futile searching did he finally remember the true source of peace: a proper relationship with God” [4]. Thus, “Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes to pass on this truth. Satisfaction can only be found by fearing God and keeping His commandments” [5]. This passage captures Solomon’s recommendation to us: 

¹³ Now all has been heard;
    here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
    for this is the duty of all mankind.
¹⁴ For God will bring every deed into judgment,
    including every hidden thing,
    whether it is good or evil.

(Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, NIV) 

References:

[1] Nelson’s NKJV Study Bible

[2] Nelson’s NKJV Study Bible

[3] https://www.gotquestions.org/nothing-new-under-the-sun.html

[4] Nelson’s NKJV Study Bible
[5] Nelson’s NKJV Study Bible