Solomon's view on Life

About Solomon

970 to 930 BC

Son of David and Bathsheba

Last King of a Unified Israel+Judah Kingdom

Experiments

Life is full of pleasure, toil, leisure and sadness.

It is inevitable that bad things will happen to you or me, just as likely as good things are to happen.

It is true that obtaining more money makes life a bit tolerable, but the price for getting money is often too high, and people accumulate wealth they will never enjoy.

It is also true that the formulas for success don’t always work - you will find professionals who are well educated but deep in debt. Conversely, you will observe those who never paid attention in school, but doing well in businesses and many hustles.

The path to a successful life is not straight, nor is it easy to figure out.

What Solomon found was that we are tied to an inevitable fate, and often there’s no reason for the suffering we endure. The things we tend to chase after and empty like a hand trying to capture the wind.

Eccl 1:4-11 - He observes the repetitive nature of life

Eccl 1:12-18 - He sets out to understand wisdom and philosophy

Eccl 2:1-11 **Read** - He sets out to explore pleasure - doing everything that made him happy

Eccl 2:23 - 3:15 - He set out understand the fatalistic nature of life - how all efforts are useless, and we are subject to what must happen

Ecclesiastes 3:16–4:16 **Read**- He set out to understand why one should share the fruits of his labour with others

Eccl 5:1-6:12- He ponders about God, suffering and death

Eccl 7:1-12:12 - About right, wrong and judgement

Conclusions

The New King James Version Chapter 12

Fear God and keep His commandments,

For this is man’s all.

14 For God will bring every work into judgment,

Including every secret thing,

Whether good or evil.

The best way to see life is from God’s perspective - because life is bound to what he purposes to happen

The best metric for success is in seeking God’s Glory

God’s glory is achieved when we play our part in God’s great mission

John 15:4–8 “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”