Ecclesiastes is the second book written by the wisest of all men King Solomon, what is interesting about Ecclesiastes is that there is a tone of depression in this book. Many theologians are of the opinion that Ecclesiastes was written after Solomon’s great fall and during or after a period of repentance. Solomon had fallen very far from grace and it is apparent in the tone his writing in this book versus the preceding book of Proverbs. Much of what Solomon articulates in this book is a result of his age and his reflection on his life and what he has seen and experienced.
Matthew Henry
The account we have of Solomon’s apostasy from God, in the latter end of his reign (1 Ki. 11:1), is the tragical part of his story; we may suppose that he spoke his Proverbs in the prime of his time, while he kept his integrity, but delivered his Ecclesiastes when he had grown old (for of the burdens and decays of age he speaks feelingly ch. 12), and was, by the grace of God, recovered from his backslidings. There he dictated his observations; here he wrote his own experiences; this is what days speak, and wisdom which the multitude of years teaches. The title of the book and the penman we shall meet with in the first verse, and therefore shall here only observe. are indeed many things in this book which are dark and hard to be understood, and some things which men of corrupt minds wrest to their own destruction, for want of distinguishing between Solomon’s arguments and the objections of atheists and epicures; but there is enough easy and plain to convince us (if we will admit the conviction) of the vanity of the world, and its utter insufficiency to make us happy, the vileness of sin, and its certain tendency to make us miserable, and of the wisdom of being religious, and the solid comfort and satisfaction that are to be had in doing our duty both to God and man. This should be intended in every sermon, and that is a good sermon by which these points are in any measure gained

Ecclesiastes 1 As stated in the introduction verse two of this chapter really does say it all; “…vanity of vanities all is vanity”. This phrase is a loaded term because it comes from a place of sobriety and repentance, Solomon, the preacher, is on his way back to God’ graces and has looks back over his life and the things that caused his descent he feels quite justified is taking the stand that all is vanity. According to Matthew Henry, Solomon is writing this from several aspects; as a repentant man, a preacher, a son (of David), and a King (of Jerusalem). Each persona has unique aspects that influence the overall tone and material of the writing. However the point is consistent throughout; al is vanity. This chapter also features a familiar and often referenced passage of scripture; “…and there is no new thing under the sun” (verse 9). Solomon is building the case that all is vanity and by making the claim that there is nothing new under the sun it is a lot simpler to make the case about vanity. If there are no new experiences, if there a no new indulgences, if there are no new passions that means everything has been done before and therefore everything is vanity.