Ecclesiastes Chapter Two cont... the fruit of hypocrisy is vexation.

17    Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

Solomon was a miserable man, he had no peace and he had no joy. He had God’s wisdom (his gift) but he did not possess the restraint and character that gives one a free life. His gift (wisdom) should have produced joy in his life. He declared in Proverbs that Wisdom is the principal thing, get it and your life is preserved from pits and snares others will fall into (Proverbs 4:7-9). His wisdom should have eased his burdens (See Proverbs 3:13; Proverbs 8:11). But we learn a very important lesson from Solomon; we learn that only sanctified living and not gift’s produce peace and joy.

We must understand that it was not Solomon’s wisdom that produced his depression; it was how he interpreted what he saw by wisdom. Solomon did not use his wisdom to plunge into the depths of holiness but rather used it to explore the depths of madness and folly. His heart's desires were unholy and his gift did not change this. One's gifting or anointing does not change one's character, only true brokenness and the fear of the Lord will. Don't be too impressed with one's gift until you see their character.

18    Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.

This seems to be a queer thing for Solomon to say since he was the one who said in Proverbs 13:22 “A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children…” Perhaps Solomon was beginning to discover he was not that “good man”, perhaps he began to see what kind of sons he was raising and grew concerned. Ironically, Solomon made it clear where raising children are concerned, as parents we must “teach them the way they should go” (Proverbs 22:6) and “spare not for their crying” (Proverbs 19:18); parents should uphold the discipline of Christianity in their home. You cannot guarantee everyone in your home will serve the Lord but if one neglects teaching the children the right way one can almost guarantee they will not serve the Lord. Also, one must live uprightly before the children as an example; children very quickly detect and resent hypocrisy.