The Preterist View of Ecclesiastes Chapter 2

The Preterist View of  Ecclesiastes Chapter 2 

2:1 — “I said in my heart, ‘Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.’ But behold, this also was vanity.”

Solomon, as king during Israel’s peak, had access to every delight under the Old Covenant. Yet even this “testing” through self-indulgence exposed the system’s inability to provide lasting joy. Paul reminds us in Galatians that the Law bore children of slavery—not freedom or lasting peace.

2:2–3 — “I said of laughter, ‘It is mad,’ and of pleasure, ‘What use is it?’”

Even pleasures under the Law—the festivals, wine, and celebration—were only shadows. They couldn’t satisfy the spirit. This echoes Paul's words in Colossians 2:16–17: “These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.”

2:4–8 — Solomon recounts his building projects, wealth, and greatness.

These accomplishments represent the apex of Old Covenant glory: the temple, palaces, vineyards. Yet, in Christ, we now see a greater temple—not built with hands, but made of living stones (1 Peter 2:5). The old house, however grand, has passed.

2:9–11 — “Then I considered all that my hands had done... and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind.”

This is the key realization: even the pinnacle of Israelite achievement under the Law could not produce righteousness or eternal significance. In Philippians 3, Paul too considered his Jewish pedigree and accomplishments as “rubbish” compared to knowing Christ.

2:12–16 — The Preacher compares wisdom and folly and sees that both end in death.

Under the Law, both wise and foolish men alike were bound to Sheol, awaiting judgment. But now, in the fulfilled kingdom, death has lost its sting (1 Cor 15:55). This is already complete—Christ has triumphed, and the new age has come.

2:17 — “So I hated life…”

This isn’t nihilism—it’s covenantal despair. Solomon despises life under a system that promises much but delivers death (cf. 2 Cor 3:7, “the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone”).

2:18–23 — The toil under the sun is painful, especially when the fruits go to another.

The inheritance laws and legacy ideals under the Old Covenant couldn’t ensure righteousness or peace. In contrast, Paul teaches that in Christ we receive an eternal inheritance—not tied to land, but to heavenly promises now fulfilled (Eph 1:11).

2:24–26 — “There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil... but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to the one who pleases God.” Solomon glimpses a grace-oriented reality—enjoyment not based on merit but gift. This anticipates the New Covenant, where we are blessed not by works, but by grace through faith. The Old Covenant breakers' possessions was handed over to the righteous (those in Christ), who now rest.