Ecclesiastes 1:1-3

1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

² “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”

³ What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun?

The author is Solomon, as he is the only son of David who was king of Israel (1:12).

Preacher (v.1) = the leader who speaks in the assembly

Verses 2 and 3 give the purpose of the book and ask the question that will be answered both negatively and positively. The wisdom used to answer the question comes from the One Shepherd (12:11).

Vanity (v.2) = breath, vapor. Empty of meaning or worth. Used 35 times in the book. Used in Psalm 39:6-7; 94:11 to express transience or worthlessness.

Vanity of vanities (v.2) is a Hebrew way of expressing a superlative, as in  “King of kings” and “Holy of Holies.” The most utter vanity.

Profit [v.3] signifies that which remains over, either as here, clear gain, profit, or that which has the preeminence, i.e., superiority, precedence, or is the foremost. this word occurs only in this book and serves our Preacher uniquely in his desire to raise the issue of profit as it relates to the whole law of man’s life under the sun. … The  natural man is under the sun in a fallen world, a world where he reaps day after day the full implications of Adam’s disobedience and death (Genesis 2:17 and Romans 5:12). — KJ Commentary, page 736.

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The strict meaning of the word “profit” is that which is left over or the surplus. Think of it in terms of the balance sheet of life. What is man’s net profit for all his labor which he labors? What is man’s ultimate return on investment? If all man’s efforts “under the sun” are performed without regard for God or eternity, they will be profitless. — Grace, page 1166.