The word refers to one who speaks to an assembly, whether religious or otherwise. Solomon, the King, would evidently convene such meetings to “preach” to the people the wisdom given him by God. He calls himself by this title in four separate passages in the book. He is very specific in 1:12 in referring it to himself, the King over Israel.

2. Ecclesiastes 1:3-7. Is Solomon complaining? Is not the earth a special creation to God?

His dad certainly thought so. Psalm 19 is a classic lauding of the creation of God. Solomon was certainly well aware of the wonders of the world. But Solomon speaks here of the man who has grown old and is wondering about the purpose of it all. Yes it is beautiful. Yes it is consistent, perfect, this creation. But what does it mean? Sunrise, sunset. Constant repetition of the water cycle. Why, Lord? It all seems so vain, so purposeless.

Here is our introduction to a very negative series of comments in this book of wisdom. Solomon views the world as man sees it, without reference to God, and it becomes vain in his sight. At the end of the book, we are clued in to his real faith in God, his view of the other world, etc. But until then we have to deal with old, wise, Solomon, who has seen it all, done it all, and humanly speaking, could care less about it all.

3. Ecclesiastes 1:16-18. Based on this passage, should we therefore not get wisdom? Is not wisdom still “the principal thing”?

Solomon has not lost his appreciation for wisdom, as compared to folly, as his comment in 2:13 shows. Given a choice, choose wisdom. But understand that wisdom comes with a price. When you give wise counsel, you will lose friends. When it is clear that you are wise and those around you are fools, you are alone and rejected. When you have wisdom and you yourself reject it in moments of foolishness, the pain is real.

Solomon was wise, wiser than all around him. But he did not always do what wisdom told him to do, and what the wisdom of his good father had counseled him. He took far too many wives. His wives compromised the true wisdom he had received. The greatest wisdom of all, the wisdom of the Lord, was squandered when he went with those women into idolatry. Is it any wonder that his book of Proverbs is jam-packed with advice about evil women and what they will do to a man who wants to follow God?