Ecclesiastes 1:12-18

Solomon's situation and his studies -- Ecclesiastes 1:12-18: Solomon showed that things that would normally be considered as what would make a person happy do not. Surely being king would make a man happy. However, that was not the case. Solomon was "king over Israel in Jerusalem." Yet he described his life as vanity of vanities. He was a wise king over "a wise and understanding nation." (Deuteronomy 4:6) Solomon gave his mind and ability to search out wisdom.

Solomon searched for wisdom concerning "all things that are done under heaven." His desire was that he might be able to judge between right and wrong. He realized that men often want to know about things that are none of their business. Solomon said, "I have seen all the works that are done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity, a striving after the wind and a feeding on wind." (Ecclesiastes 1:14) The search for this wisdom brought Solomon weariness to the flesh, and pain and uneasiness to his mind.

Solomon realized that no man could make right the wrongs of the world. The deficiencies in the human race are so numerous, as that they cannot be understood and counted. Only God can correct the wrongs of the world. Isaiah wrote, "And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them." (Isaiah 42:16)

Solomon looked into his own heart and realized that he had much wisdom and knowledge of the world and of mankind. He had become a great man in the world. It was said of Jesus, "The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here." (Matthew 12:42) Solomon delighted in obtaining more and more knowledge, but then he "perceived that this also is vexation of spirit." In much wisdom there is much grief: (1) in the effort it takes to gain it, (2) In how easy it is to forget it, and (3) the folly of man that you learn by it. This increased knowledge brought Solomon sorrow.

There is a wisdom that brings the result that Solomon described. There is also true wisdom. "Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." (James 3:13-18)