Solomon knew something about vanity. The third king of Israel repeatedly declared almost everything in life to be a “vanity of vanities” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). He knew that most things in life bring only brief pleasure. Even good things like hard work only produces goods for someone else to enjoy (Ecclesiastes 2:18). His thoughts, in Ecclesiastes, seem dismal and depressing to the modern mind. There is nothing good to be done except to serve God and keep his commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13). …