King Solomon Ecclesiastes Sparknotes

The author, King Solomon, dealt with several pursuits throughout the writing of the Book of Ecclesiastes. When Solomon became king, he asked God for wisdom and God granted him wisdom and he became the wisest man in the world. He was extremely knowledgeable and so much so that leaders from other nations came to Jerusalem to learn from him. Although Solomon was able to teach and advise others, he began a downward spiral in life because he failed to heed his own advice. In Ecclesiastes, Solomon makes an analysis of life’s experiences and gives the readers a sermon about life’s true meaning. Anyone who reads this book of the Bible should heed the purpose of Solomon’s experience which will spare them from the bitterness of learning through their own experiences that life is meaningless apart from a relationship with God. In this book Solomon pursues satisfaction to overcome emptiness; purpose of life; and wisdom for life.
Most Bible readers know that Solomon was one who had everything (wisdom, power, riches, honor, reputation, and God’s grace); but he opens Ecclesiastes by writing about vanities which speaks to worthlessness or emptiness. Solomon gives insight to his personal experience of having everything, doing everything, and achieved much, only to find that nothing apart from God made him happy. Solomon starts out with a strong statement saying, “Vanity of vanities; all is vanity” meaning everything is meaningless. Solomon is trying to help people realize that confidence in their own efforts, abilities, and righteousness, to him, seemed