6 “Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit”.
This verse is very Solomonic, "Better is" this is very reminiscent of some of his writing in Proverbs (Ref. Prov 15:16-17; Prov 16:19; Prov 17:1; Prov 19:1). Better is it to have less and to be filled with peace and joy then to have great wealth and be troubled in spirit. One understands that in the life of Solomon there is a great longing for the peace of God. Let us be clear it was not his wealth or wisdom that removed peace; Solomon lost the touch of God through "wine, women and song (parties)". He was also an idolater; careless in his lifestyle breaking the commandments that brought him to ruin (See 1 Kings 11:1-8, esp. V:2 "...Solomon clave unto these in love.") One cannot live a life of contradiction violating the scriptures and expect all will go well. Some foolishly believe that because God waits that He may be gracious that He does not care about their lifestyle. Nothing could be further from the truth; it is tragic when one mistakes the longsuffering of God for His indifference to sin.
7 “Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun”.
Solomon saw that nothing on the earth made any sense; how sad and for this man of wisdom, how foolish. In the cycle of life, which he calls vanity, is mans destiny and eternity determined. What he does with his life and character determines where and how he will spend his eternity. But he concludes only ill fates because he himself is not walking uprightly; he is wasting his wisdom and opportunities. The real problem with Solomon is he desires things God does not want him to participate in, certain indulgences such as wine women and song (parties and mirth). I have seen that when one (a believer) participates in sinful behavior how they lose hope and lose that sense of purpose in God and they easily slip away and begin to adapt a worldly attitude about things. The scriptures do not say in vain “Guard your heart with all diligence”
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