Category: Beyond the Sun (the Hope of Ecclesiastes)
And I hated life, because the work worked under the sun was evil to me, because all is vapor, chasing after the wind. And I hated all my labor which I labor under the sun which I leave to a man who comes after me. And who knows whether he will be wise or foolish? Yet he will be master over all my work which I worked. And I acted wisely under the sun. Again, this is vapor.
And I turned to cause despair of my heart over all the works which I have worked under the sun. For there is a man who labored in wisdom and knowledge and success, and to a man which did not labor he gave his share. Again, this is vapor and much evil. For what becomes for man in all his labor? and the longing of his heart which he labors under the sun? For all his days are sorrow, and vexation his occupation. Likewise, in the night his heart does not lie down. Again, this, itself, is vapor. (Ecclesiastes 2:17-23)
Solomon crumbled under a severe case of depression. He hated life, he hated his work, he sought despair. Hopelessness was the deduction of living.
As a man (and especially a king), achievement and success in work was tied to the very core of his being. That's what men do, we work. It started with Adam. Who followed the example of God. Who worked six days before resting on the seventh. When God looked out at all of His work, He concluded, "It is very good." When Solomon looked out at all of his work, he said, "It is repugnant."
Solomon's despondency came from realizing that his hard work is all for naught. Someday, the person in control of his hard-earned estate may be a punk with pants twelve sizes too big and push-pins in the shape of Donald Duck sticking out of his forehead, who aspires to be a full-time video game player. Thinking of this wasted life kept Solomon up at night.
Such are the conclusions of an honest atheist. Not that Solomon denies the existence of God, but remember he is considering life "under the sun."