King Solomon had everything. He was the wisest man who ever lived, the wealthiest king of his era, and the builder of God’s temple. Yet at the end of his life, he called it all “vanity” — a chasing after wind. This summer, we begin a journey through Ecclesiastes, not to be depressed, but to be awakened to where we might be chasing the wrong things and pointing our hearts to the only One who satisfies.
Why Ecclesiastes? Why Now?
Solomon opens Ecclesiastes by painting a picture of life’s relentless cycle: generations come and go, work is done, and everything keeps right on going. “There is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Whether you lived 2,000 years ago or you’re in Phoenix, Arizona in 2025, the same major questions press on every human heart. What is life about? Where do I find purpose? Is any of this worth it?
There are at least two reasons why we’re doing this series right now. First, summer is a natural breathing room. Ministries slow down, kids go to camp, and we have space to think deeply. Second, this is where the Holy Spirit has Pastor Josh White personally. He shared honestly — this season of life has brought health challenges, the transition to the “empty nester” stage, and the kind of deep thoughts that Ecclesiastes names. If you’ve been carrying big questions or disappointments lately, you’re in good company.
This book was written so we won’t make the same mistake Solomon did.
Who Wrote Ecclesiastes?
King Solomon, the son of King David, wrote Ecclesiastes. He introduces himself in chapter 1 verse 1:
“The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.”
Solomon was legendary for several things. First, his God-given wisdom. When God offered him anything he wanted, Solomon asked for an “understanding mind to govern your people.” God was so pleased that He gave Solomon unprecedented wisdom — the wisest man who ever lived — plus wealth and honor besides (1 Kings 3:3–15).
Second, his extraordinary wealth. First Kings 10 describes the whole earth seeking Solomon’s presence. Ships brought gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks. He “excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom” (1 Kings 10:23). Adjusting for inflation, he may have been the wealthiest person in history.
Third, he built the temple. The temple was central to Israel’s identity and worship — the place where heaven and earth met. Building it was Solomon’s greatest achievement.
But Solomon had a tragic flaw: a divided heart. First Kings 11 tells the story. He married 700 wives (princesses) and 300 concubines from nations God had expressly forbidden. His wives turned his heart away from the Lord. In his old age, he built high places for their foreign gods. The Lord tore the kingdom from him because of this.
Solomon had it all — and he squandered it chasing the wrong things. The book of Ecclesiastes is his painful autobiography written for future generations so they wouldn’t follow his path.
What Is Ecclesiastes About?
Solomon uses the word vanity more than 38 times in this book. It’s his word for the futile attempt to be satisfied in life apart from God. The word carries three shades of meaning:
- Fleeting — Life is vapor-like and transitory. Stages come and go. Nothing stays.
- Futile — We live under the curse of sin on a cursed earth. No matter what we accomplish, it’s never fully satisfying because something is fundamentally broken.
- Incomprehensible — God’s ways are above our pay grade. We weren’t created to understand everything.
Here’s the crucial caution: Solomon didn’t write Ecclesiastes to depress us. He wrote it to wake us up from chasing the wrong things. Each week, we’ll hear what Solomon found to be vanity under the sun — and what the New Testament says in response.
The Door and the Focus
Jesus Christ gives us two answers to Solomon’s pursuit of vanity.
First: He is the Door. In John 10:7–10, Jesus says:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
Every other door we try — wealth, power, pleasure, achievement — is a thief. It promises life but delivers emptiness. Jesus says He is the only door through which we find real meaning, purpose, and satisfaction. And the abundance He offers isn’t necessarily external comfort in this life; it’s internal: the joy, peace, and hope that come from being right with God.
Second: Seek the Kingdom. In Matthew 6:25–34, Jesus addresses the anxiety Ecclesiastes wrestles with — the worry about food, drink, and clothing. He points to Solomon “in all his glory” — and says even Solomon wasn’t dressed like the lilies of the field. Then He gives the antidote:
“Do not be anxious… But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
To seek the kingdom means seeking God above all else — pursuing obedience to His commands, finding comfort in His sovereignty, and making what matters to Him matter to us. It means that what is most important to God is what we make most important.
What Are You Chasing?
This is the question Solomon leaves us with. What are we really chasing? Where are we looking for meaning and satisfaction?
James 1:5 gives us the answer for the journey ahead:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
As we chase the wind this summer, let’s do what Solomon did in his youth — ask God for wisdom. Not just for this series, but for every decision, every disappointment, and every season of life.
Solomon had everything earth could offer — and called it vanity. But everything outside of Jesus Christ truly is vanity. May God draw us close to Him and give us wisdom to keep chasing the only Thing that satisfies.
Scripture References
- Ecclesiastes 1:1-9 — The Preacher’s Theme: Everything Is Vanity
- 1 Kings 3:3-15 — Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom
- 1 Kings 10 — Solomon’s Wealth and Fame
- 1 Kings 11:1-13 — Solomon’s Divided Heart
- John 10:7-10 — Jesus, the Door
- Matthew 6:25-34 — Seek First the Kingdom
- James 1:5 — Ask for Wisdom
- 2 Peter 3:18 — Grow in Grace and Knowledge