The preacher continues in his search of trying to find meaning and purpose in life, but continues to find it is like grabbing the wind.

He seeks purpose in the pleasures of this world such as wine (v3), building (v4-6), slaves and possessions (v7), riches and women (v8). His conclusion was what benefit was the toil in gaining all this, even though what he had was unequalled, it still didn’t give him fulfilment (v9-11).

Next the preacher turns to living wisely and to find purpose in this (v12-17). He does acknowledge the benefit of being wise over being a fool (v13). But the problem is that the wise and the fool come to the same end (v14), they all die. So, he asks what is the benefit of this.

In his search, the preacher next turns to find fulfilment in his work (v18-23). The problem with toil is that what you gain you will one day have to leave to another. Plus, the years of toil included sorrow and vexation (v23).

The preacher, isn’t there yet, but he begins to see the emptiness there is without God and he begins to ask about God’s hand in this (v24-26).