By Jeff Cranston

(First of an Eight-Part Study of Ecclesiastes)

Have you ever asked yourself, “What is the meaning of life?” If you have, then you aren’t alone! Each of us, at one time or another, has pondered our purpose and questioned what it all really means. Many of us take that a step further and ask, “What does it mean to be successful in life?” The wisest of us ask, “What does the Bible say about success?” Let’s explore what Scripture says about these common questions.

The book of Ecclesiastes is a remarkable reflection on life’s true meaning, delivered by one of history’s wisest figures—King Solomon. The title “Ecclesiastes” comes from the Greek word ekklesia, meaning “assembly” or “gathering,” and the book itself is an invitation to come together and listen to Solomon’s profound insights. While we often associate the word ekklesia with the New Testament church, the concept of people gathering to hear a message is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, and Ecclesiastes follows in this tradition.

What Can Solomon Teach Us About the Meaning of Life?

While the Bible announces the birth of Solomon in 2nd Samuel and details his life and reign in 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles, we get an even richer picture of his story in the book of Ecclesiastes. In the opening verse (1:1), Solomon introduces himself as “The Preacher,” a title reflecting his role as one who calls people together to share wisdom. However, Solomon wasn’t just any preacher—he was also the King of Israel. His reign began with extraordinary promise. As a young king, God appeared to Solomon in a dream, offering him anything he wanted. Surprisingly, Solomon didn’t ask for riches, power, or a long life. Instead, he humbly asked for wisdom to lead his people well. God was so pleased with Solomon’s request that He not only gave him wisdom but also blessed him with riches and honor, making Solomon one of the most powerful kings of his time (1 Kings 3:10-12).

However, Solomon’s life took a complicated turn. In his early years, Solomon wrote the Song of Solomon, a beautiful expression of love and marriage. But at the same time, he began to drift from these values by marrying many women from foreign nations, accumulating 700 wives and 300 concubines. This disobedience to God’s commands led him to amass great wealth, build extravagant palaces, and collect military power, all of which distracted him from his devotion to God. The focus of his life shifted from honoring God to pursuing material success, causing a spiritual downfall.

What Can We Learn from Solomon’s Mistakes?

In his later years, Solomon looks back on his life and realizes that all his achievements—his wealth, fame, and power—were ultimately meaningless without God. This is where the message of Ecclesiastes becomes especially powerful. Ecclesiastes is Solomon’s personal reflection, a kind of journal or last will and testament, where he warns future generations to avoid making the same mistakes. 

In Ecclesiastes 12:1, Solomon says, “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth,” urging us to seek God early in life rather than waiting until it’s too late. His message is clear: life “under the sun”—when lived without God—feels empty and lacks real meaning. The book ends with a profound truth: “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

How Can We Apply the Wisdom of Solomon?

From Solomon’s life, we learn an important lesson: no matter how much wisdom, wealth, or worldly success we achieve, they will not provide lasting fulfillment. True peace and purpose come only from focusing on God, who gives life meaning. Just as all of Solomon’s wealth and possessions eventually faded away, so too will everything we accumulate in this world. But when we build our lives on God and His eternal wisdom, we find lasting purpose.

The timeless message of Ecclesiastes is that life is fleeting, but God’s wisdom endures forever. As we navigate our own lives, Solomon encourages us to focus on what truly matters—our relationship with God—because everything else will eventually pass away.

Watch the full message below.

Pastor Jeff Cranston is the Lead Pastor at LowCountry Community Church.