Solomon’s resolution of the meaning of life: Ecclesiastes 9−12

There is a view that Solomon wrote (and collected) the proverbs when he was young,  the Song of Songs before mid-life, and Ecclesiastes when he was old.

Solomon searched for the meaning of life, but without success.It’s easy to imagine Solomon looking back over his life when he wrote the last chapter:

^12:13-14 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for that is the whole duty of everyone. For God will bring every deed into judgement, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.

It brings a sadness to the whole book: here’s an old man, a king, who’s been rebuked by God for his sins. He knows where he went wrong, but he’s now unable or unwilling to do anything about it.