What was King Solomon thinking?

 

Recently a friend was sharing with me about a sermon series from church on Proverbs. He was relishing in how well the pastor was prepared and how much he was getting from the pastor's teaching. I agreed that I am aware of the hundreds of books written and sermons given on Proverbs. I know many people over the years that look to Proverbs for guidance in what/how they should do to prosper (some materially and some spiritually). 

Being the disruptor I am, I asked him one simple question, "Wasn't Ecclesiastes and Proverbs both supposedly written by King Solomon?" Not only was my friend not prepared for this question, he was somewhat puzzled by it. How could this question have anything to do with the excitement he felt in sharing about the lessons he was getting from Proverbs?

Then I asked, "if Ecclesiastes was Solomon's message to the ages that everything 'under the sun' is vanity (a vapor that does not last), then is wisdom found in Proverbs not 'vanity'?"

I could see him starting to connect the dots. After all, Proverbs has been admired for centuries for its lessons on wisdom and at the same time Ecclesiastes has also been admired for its message that nothing in this world delivers what man ultimately needs (wants).

Does the 'nothing delivers' of Ecclesiastes include the wisdom of Proverbs?

"I'm not ready yet to see Proverbs as 'vanity of vanities,' but I have to admit that I am a bit confused," was my response back to friend as he sought my mutual excitement of Proverbs.

"What was Solomon thinking?" I thought.

Moreover, has any pastor or theologian over the years even thought about the apparent contradictions of King Solomon. There are now more questions I would like to see Bible teachers explore, starting with this one: 

Since many believe Ecclesiastes was written toward the end of Solomon's life and follows Proverbs in order in the Bible, was Solomon having second thoughts about his views expressed in Proverbs? This happens to all the great people of history. As one ages his/her perspective can change. This certainly has happened to me.

If this is the case, should we hold Proverbs to such a high standard? Should Christians cling to Solomon's words on wisdom as they now do, if in the final analysis, wisdom as a guiding virtue of life in this world (under the sun) is vanity?

It's like Solomon is saying in Proverbs, "here's how to swim better," and then in Ecclesiastes, "but you're swimming in the wrong pool."

Did Solomon reconcile these two the benefit of proverbs and the impossibility of Proverbs like this, "man does not fulfil the law by doing, but the law is fulfilled in Jesus"? 

At this point I am just asking questions, but I would find it useful for a pastor or theologian to step back, ponder and pontificate for us "just what was King Solomon thinking?"