Solomon’s personal experiences
Ecclesiastes 1:1 thru 2:26.
In 1 Kings 3:1-15, Solomon, the son of King David, sought wisdom from God to rule over his people in Jerusalem. God was so impressed by his selfless request that he gave Solomon both what he asked for and what he didn’t ask for … namely material and monetary wealth. Because of his humble request he was from then on considered the wisest man who ever lived.
In the very beginning of Ecclesiastes Solomon states that “Everything is meaningless … completely meaningless.” He sights several examples: people come, and people go; the sun rises and sets only to rise again the next morning; the wind blows north, then it blows south, then in circles; rivers run to the sea, but the sea is never full … then the waters return to the rivers only to flow back out to the sea. His meaningless life was exhausting him. No matter how much he had or how much he saw or how many places he went or how much he heard, he was never satisfied.
Though wise beyond measure, wisdom doesn’t always mean you will make all the right choices. Solomon spent most of his life away from God, which was the impetus for writing Ecclesiastes in the first place. Although many times younger people no longer listen to the wisdom passed down from their family elders, many do and to THOSE Ecclesiastes was written.
The entire book reflects on the years Solomon chased after the wind, never obtaining lasting satisfaction. Without God his life was completely empty and without meaning. Happiness and satisfaction did not come from acquiring everything he thought he wanted. True happiness and contentment reside in knowing God. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.
Richard Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
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