It is impossible to understand this book without understanding the human author’s background. The book opens with the author introducing himself. “The Author: Solomon of Jerusalem, King David’s son, ‘The Preacher’. . .I, the Preacher, was king of Israel, living in Jerusalem.” (Verses 1 & 12). There was only one descendant of David who was king of all Israel; it was Solomon. Solomon’s son, Reheboam, lost ten of the tribes at the very beginning of his reign because of two reasons: (1) it was God’s will; (2) he made an unwise decision.
To understand God’s part in this breakup, we need to read 1 Kings 11. Solomon did many great things in his life. He was allowed to build a temple for God in Jerusalem, something David was not allowed to do because he had killed many people. Solomon built palaces for his 1,000 wives: 700 wives from political families and 300 wives of common heritage. Imagine what he had to design and build for them. He also built stables for his horses, mules and 1,400 chariots. It was during this time he wrote Proverbs. But as with most men, he did all of this hoping to find purpose in life, but he did not find it in those things
God had instructed His people not to marry into nations Israel was supposed to destroy, but Solomon did it anyway, “and sure enough, they turned his heart away from the Lord, especially in his old age.” (Verses 3-4). This made God angry with Solomon, and God said to him, “Since you have not kept our agreement and have not obeyed My laws, I will tear your kingdom away from you and your family and give it to someone else. However, for the sake of your father, David, I won’t do this while you are still alive. I will take the kingdom away from your son. And even so I will let him be king of one tribe, for David’s sake and for the sake of Jerusalem, my chosen city.” (Verses 11-14). Even with a severe punishment, God showed marvelous grace and love. (Read 1 Kings 12 for the end of this judgement.)
After God spoke to him, Solomon saw his error, repented, and wrote Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon. In Ecclesiastes, he delved into his personal confession of his experience in looking for things to give him a purpose for living and how each failed.
Scripture quotes for Ecclesiastes are from The Living Bible, 1971.