2:1 I thought to myself, “Come now, I will try self-indulgent pleasure to see if it is worthwhile.” But I found that it also is futile.
Solomon possessed 1,000 wives and concubines, so he was an expert on sex. Sex did not satisfy him.
Secular humanists want to educate our children on sex. What do they know about sex? They want to teach same-sex marriage, transgenderism, masturbation, and safe-sex fornication methods. Hollywood has already glorified sex to most jr. high and high school students, so they will not be learning anything new.
The best sex education is found in the Bible. God has placed many of these lessons throughout the Scriptures. Pastors do not need to censor these biblical teachings in the pulpit. All children need to master bible doctrine from the entire counsel of the Word of God before they reach their 13th birthday, just as Jesus did. Thirteen-year-old children should be able to debate rabbi on all biblical issues, including sex and the Bible. Therefore, as parents, we need to allow our children to learn sex education through the Bible, not through the filthiness of Hollywood, the teachings of Christ-rejecting secular humanists, or the experiences of teenage peers.
Alcohol is another avenue of self-pleasure. Alcohol was called “spirits” in the Western days. Alcohol blurs the mind so that demons can influence others to commit evil acts that they normally would not do if their mind was clear.
Many drug users use drugs for “recreation.” Drugs were used by ancient sorcerers to contact demons. Like alcohol, drugs blur the mind so that demons can influence the individual to commit evil behaviors that they normally would not do in a sober situation.
Solomon tried all of these venues and found them to be emptiness. Children with weak Bible doctrine will not be able to fight off the influence of the peer pressure that they will receive during their teenage years. The best remedy for fighting peer pressure is strong bible doctrine.
2:2 I said of partying, “It is folly,” and of self-indulgent pleasure, “It accomplishes nothing!”
Solomon brought in the best entertainment. He brought in the top comedians of the day. Man is so totally depraved and evil, that his evil nature causes him sadness. This sadness causes him to spend millions of dollars a year just to hear a comedian make him laugh. Those without strong Bible doctrine will attempt to fill their void with partying. Solomon was the best at partying. Partying is foolishness and leads to emptiness.
2:3 I thought deeply about the effects of indulging myself with wine (all the while my mind was guiding me with wisdom) and the effects of behaving foolishly, so that I might discover what is profitable for people to do on earth during the few days of their lives.
Alcoholism will lead to addiction. It kills many on the highways. Many powerful nations have been destroyed by alcoholism.
2:4 I increased my possessions: I built houses for myself; I planted vineyards for myself.
Solomon built up the most beautiful palaces, personal hotels, and extravagant vineyards in the world, but his luxurious building projects did not satisfy him.
2:5 I designed royal gardens and parks for myself, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.
Solomon built up the most beautiful gardens and parks in the world, but it did not satisfy him.
2:6 I constructed pools of water for myself, to irrigate my grove of flourishing trees.
Solomon built the greatest irrigation system in the world, but it did not satisfy him.
2:7 I purchased male and female slaves, and I owned slaves who were born in my house; I also possessed more livestock—both herds and flocks— than any of my predecessors in Jerusalem.
Solomon possessed many servants and slaves who served him in his palace. He was the largest cattle rancher of the day. He could eat a steak dinner every day, yet these things did not satisfy him.
2:8 I also amassed silver and gold for myself, as well as valuable treasures taken from kingdoms and provinces. I acquired male singers and female singers for myself, and what gives a man sensual delight—a harem of beautiful concubines!
Solomon cornered the gold market in that day. He plundered many kingdoms, taking their best treasures and placing them in his personal museum. The best entertainers of his day performed for him daily. He possessed a harem of 1,000 of the most beautiful women in the world. None of these things satisfied him.
2:9 So I was far wealthier than all my predecessors in Jerusalem, yet I maintained my objectivity:
Solomon was the wealthiest man in the world, but it did not satisfy him.
2:10 I did not restrain myself from getting whatever I wanted; I did not deny myself anything that would bring me pleasure. So all my accomplishments gave me joy; this was my reward for all my effort.
Solomon had everything that he wanted, but it did not satisfy him.
2:11 Yet when I reflected on everything I had accomplished and on all the effort that I had expended to accomplish it, I concluded: “All these achievements and possessions are ultimately profitless— like chasing the wind! There is nothing gained from them on earth.”
Solomon was not satisfied with personal hobbies, pleasure, wealth, or power. There are many millionaires in the world today who are miserable. Every man without Bible doctrine is bored with life and miserable. The highest percentage of suicides are those who live in Hollywood and have everything. They come to the same conclusion as Solomon, so they kill themselves.
2:12 Next, I decided to consider wisdom, as well as foolish behavior and ideas. For what more can the king’s successor do than what the king has already done?
Since pleasure would not satisfy Solomon, he tried education.
2:13 I realized that wisdom is preferable to folly, just as light is preferable to darkness:
It is better to be a wise man than to be a fool. It is better to be an educated man than to be an ignorant man. It is better to be in light than in darkness. Wisdom comes from the study of the entire counsel of the Word of God.
2:14 The wise man can see where he is going, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I also realized that the same fate happens to them both.
Both the wise man and the foolish man will die and go to the grave.
2:15 So I thought to myself, “The fate of the fool will happen even to me! Then what did I gain by becoming so excessively wise?” So I lamented to myself, “The benefits of wisdom are ultimately meaningless!”
All men, both wise and foolish, will die. Man has made many technological inventions, but none of them have been able to extend life. The breath of God cannot be controlled by the computer industry.
2:16 For the wise man, like the fool, will not be remembered for very long, because in the days to come, both will already have been forgotten. Alas, the wise man dies—just like the fool!
The wise man can die just as fast as the foolish man.
2:17 So I loathed life because what happens on earth seems awful to me; for all the benefits of wisdom are futile—like chasing the wind.
Solomon had everything, but he loathed life. Those in Hollywood do not read Ecclesiastes, but they come to the same conclusion. They end up committing suicide. If a man is not serving god, then he will become bored with life.
2:18 So I loathed all the fruit of my effort, for which I worked so hard on earth, because I must leave it behind in the hands of my successor.
When a rich man dies, he does not get to take his money into heaven. He must leave it with a successor.
2:19 Who knows if he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will be master over all the fruit of my labor for which I worked so wisely on earth! This also is futile!
Solomon saw that it was a waste of time to work for something and then to turn it all over to a fool. If a wise man leaves his money with a successor, then there is no guarantee that the money will be used for the glory of God. Mr. Harvard was a strong fundamental founder of Harvard university. He left all of his money to strengthen the Christian faith. Instead, the money is being used today to do just the opposite. Harvard is now leading the word in teaching secular humanism. Secular humanism is simply a euphemism for satanism.
2:20 So I began to despair about all the fruit of my labor for which I worked so hard on earth.
Solomon worked hard on this earth to make himself rich and powerful, but he was unsatisfied. If anyone works hard without serving Christ, then it will lead to pessimism.
2:21 For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge, and skill; however, he must hand over the fruit of his labor as an inheritance to someone else who did not work for it. This also is futile, and an awful injustice!
Many people today leave money to so-called Christian organizations, but they have no assurance that the organizations will remain true to the faith. Solomon would leave his entire kingdom to his son, but his son would accept foolish advice and cause a division in the kingdom.
2:22 What does a man acquire from all his labor and from the anxiety that accompanies his toil on earth?
Since a man cannot take any of his wealth or material possessions into eternity, then man is basically working for nothing. Those who know and apply strong Bible doctrine will acquire crowns in heaven.
2:23 For all day long his work produces pain and frustration, and even at night his mind cannot relax! This also is futile!
A man works all day long, but his work produces sore joints and mental anguish. Work does not relax man, but it causes him stress.
2:24 There is nothing better for people than to eat and drink, and to find enjoyment in their work. I also perceived that this ability to find enjoyment comes from God.
If a man does enjoy his work, then it is only because he is doing the will of God. He is fulfilling his called purpose.
2:25 For no one can eat and drink or experience joy apart from him.
If a man does not enjoy his job, then he needs to wonder if he is fulfilling God’s purpose in his life. Those who serve God are satisfied. Those who do not serve God are miserable.
2:26 For to the one who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy, but to the sinner, he gives the task of amassing wealth— only to give it to the one who pleases God. This task of the wicked is futile—like chasing the wind!
If one is living for self, then there will be no satisfaction in his life. If one is living for God, then there will be true satisfaction in life. If one seeks wisdom from God, then he will receive it. The more one studies Bible doctrine, then the more biblical wisdom one will receive. All biblical wisdom comes directly from God. One cannot understand the Bible unless God reveals the information to the believer.
Those who are not interested in Bible doctrine will become miserable in life. They will end up chasing the wind, thinking that they can capture it and find happiness.
According to New Testament doctrine, materialism brings misery but suffering for Christ brings pleasure. This biblical doctrine is the great paradox that unbelievers and carnal Christians will never grasp, but is is the great secret and motivator of the mature Christian.