Ecclesiastes 2:12-17

The Vanity of Living Wisely -- Ecclesiastes 2:12-17: Solomon reflected on what a common man could do to find true happiness when he, with all his resources, had not been able to do so. He could only say that natural wisdom and knowledge exceeds folly. He said a wise man uses his eyes to make good judgment, but a fool just walks in darkness. Sadly, he said the same end comes to both the fool and the wise. "This is all vanity."

Solomon considered what he had accomplished by seeking wisdom. Was he a better man for his entire search for true happiness? Had it made him a happier person? Would his wisdom protect him from the end that would come to a fool? "Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity." The conclusion that Solomon will ultimately reach is that the death of a righteous man is different from the death of a wicked man. That is why we must fear God and keep His commandments.