The Writings of Solomon

In Ecclesiastes we have Solomon at the end of his earthly pathway, reflecting on his experiences. Having tasted every pleasure that this world has to offer—nobody can do more than the King can (Eccl. 2:1212And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done. (Ecclesiastes 2:12))—he declares “vanity of vanities; all is vanity” (Eccl. 1:22Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. (Ecclesiastes 1:2)). There is no object under the sun that can fill the longing heart of man.
In contrast, the Song of Solomon presents Christ as the object of the heart. Here we have expressed the yearnings of one who desires an established relationship with the object of her love. It concludes with the triumph of love—“who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved?” (Song of Sol. 8:55Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? I raised thee up under the apple tree: there thy mother brought thee forth: there she brought thee forth that bare thee. (Song of Solomon 8:5)).
It is clear that all three books—Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon—have a prophetic character. In them, we have, respectively, Israel in covenant relationship, the covenant relationship broken, and, finally, restoration.