Ecclesiastes 2:11
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
The verse is Solomon's review after turning from the joy of divine communion with God to seek satisfaction in the pleasures of sense, when prosperity turned him toward indulgence and the selfish gratification of every desire. The works and labor he looked back on were great works in the pursuit of every pleasure, wealth, and possessions: houses built, vineyards planted, gardens and orchards made, servants obtained, silver and gold and royal treasures gathered, singers and every sensual delight obtained, and greatness above all before him in Jerusalem. He kept back nothing his eyes desired, withheld his heart from no joy, and rejoiced in his labor.
His outward condition was envied popularity and abundant glory as the greatest monarch on an earthly throne, surrounded by costly robes of gold and silver, a throne of ivory and gold, magnificent gardens, rare birds, and attendants for amusement. Yet amid that artificial display he was most to be pitied, his countenance dark with despair, and all the splendor only mocked the distress and anguish of his thoughts. His verdict was that all was vanity and vexation of spirit with no profit under the sun, meaning his accomplishments and labor were empty and frustrating and brought no lasting gain. They were vain and spiritually troubling and unable to bring lasting profit, rest, or peace when earthly things are made life's highest good, including great works, riches, pleasure, and the worship of heathen gods whose promise of rest to the soul is vain.
Work devoted to selfish ambition for display, notoriety, wealth, or honor brings no lasting gain, for when the desired reward is reached it proves empty like a shadow and the life spent pursuing it has been wasted. Silver and gold and the accumulated wealth of kings and provinces, the greatest treasures of a mighty empire with the finest spoils and choicest gifts even when carefully guarded under seal, are empty and distressing to the spirit and bring no real profit in this life. Riches and high intellectual attainments, learning and ability and outward display without the sanctifying power of true godliness are not sufficient for a happy life and will not bring contentment, peace, and happiness. The search for knowledge and achievement apart from true holiness ends in vanity and nothingness compared with the knowledge that opens the way to the city of God.
The verse belongs to his wearied and thirsting turning in his later years from earth's broken cisterns to drink again at the fountain of life, when the discipline of suffering at last accomplished its work in him. His inspired record of his wasted years preserves its lessons of warning for after-generations, so his life-work was not wholly lost even though his people reaped harvests of evil from the seed of his sowing.