Ecclesiastes 1: 1-11

Introduction

Words of the preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Note that the name of the King is never mentioned, but there is no good reason, in spite of this, to treat the king as anything but King Solomon.

Solomon was David’s son, king in Jerusalem, and was considered the wisest man to have lived. There is a certain sort of fool who loves to dive into vain speculations, whatifs, and imaginations, foolishly claiming that there is no harm in such matters, going against the direct teaching of Paul in 1 Tim. 1: 3-4

1 Timothy 1:3–4 LSB

As I exhorted you when going to Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may command certain ones not to teach a different doctrine, nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the stewardship from God which is by faith.

Solomon likely wrote this book at the end of his life, since he testifies to already having heaped up vineyards, pools, forests, houses, slaves, wives, concubines, gold, silver, children, and the treasures of nations.

Vanity - heḇel - A breath of vapor.

Some translations render this word “Meaningless”, “futility”, or “vanity”. Not of these words really capture the essence of what is being said here.