6, 7. (a) What sound conclusion did King Solomon reach regarding merriment and laughter? (b) Just how are we to understand Solomon’s words?

⁶ The realistic view of pleasures presented by King Solomon can be most helpful. He tells of his investigation and findings: “I said, even I, in my heart: ‘Do come now, let me try you out with rejoicing. Also, see good.’ And, look! that too was vanity.

Eccl. 2:1, 2.

⁷ Just what is Solomon here drawing to our attention? His words make it clear that the avid pursuit of amusements cannot bring genuine and lasting happiness. He found that rejoicing or merriment just for its own sake was “vanity,” emptiness. This is so because in itself such “rejoicing” cannot produce anything truly worth while. Granted, amusements and laughter can aid a person to forget his problems temporarily. But the problems will not go away but must still be faced after the period of amusement is over.