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The Sorrow of Solomon's Wisdom
God's Justice Remembered
For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow (Eccles. 1:18).
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Book of Ecclesiastes is attributed to King Solomon. Solomon was known for His God-gifted
wisdom (1 Kings 4:30). And at first he used it to serve God. But his wealth got to him in the
name of woman. He married daughters of royalty from other countries who were involved in
false idol worship and he allowed that worship to be brought to Israel and within his own house.
Which lead to his own going astray.
But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites: Of the nations concerning which the Lord said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father (1 Kings 11:1-4).

What Solomon saw in Ecclesiastes is that what man does or accomplishes is not lasting. Vanity with no real lasting purpose. And the knowledge that is acquired with it can only bring sorrow. Man in and of himself can do nothing with it. Solomon recognized the limitations and weakness of man in God's creation.
 

The works of man leave no real lasting benefit on their own. Man works with nothing to show for it but death. Nothing eternal.
 

Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity (Eccles. 1:2).

And then there is Jesus.

Jesus died so that man could have eternal life (John 3:16). Man's works, accomplishments begin to have value through it and because of it. Through eternal life in Christ, man carries with him beyond the grave his works.

They are remembered by God.
 
 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister (Heb. 6:10).

God has a book for each man and all man has accomplished is in it, including if that accomplished is for self-gratification or to serve God. So all that man does is rewarded to him later, for good or for evil.
 
 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works (Rev. 20:12).

In Christ, man's accomplishments no longer become futile. Important then is that what man accomplishes in the here and now is godly, for a just cause. and how it effects and has an affect on others.

Selflessness. That is what God wants from us. Compassion. Feeding the hungry. Helping the poor. Using whatever gifts God has given you, whatever job is given you, to do what you can for others. These are the things that are important in the here and now. Things which show compassion to others are remembered by God later (Matt. 25:32-46).
 
 Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart (Zech. 7: 9-10).

Solomon recognized man's helplessness without God. His weaknesses. Selfish motivation and ambitions. And because of it, his fleshly limitations.
God Jesus recognizes man's accomplishments through him. Selfless compassion and the need to show mercy and justice. Everything then has a purpose.

Knowledge in and of itself is futile. God's wisdom is everlasting, divine, and works through the heart of man to accomplish what man can not.
Godly knowledge is not futile. Meaningless. It reaches out to the heart of man and brings him closer to God. God works through the heart of man and accomplishments have value and meaning. Everlasting.
 
 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace (Rom. 8:6).