Again Solomon urged the enjoyment of life (v. 18; cf. 2:24-26; 3:12-13, 22), but he warned of some obstacles to that enjoyment. Solomon was not advocating hedonism but the simple enjoyment of life day by day (v. 18). In other words, he recommended that we take some time to enjoy the beautiful experiences of life as we travel down its path.
However not everyone can enjoy life for one reason or another even though one may be wealthy (6:1-2). This problem "weighs heavily on men"(NIV, v. 1; better than NASB "is prevalent among men"). Only in heaven will we find the solution to why this has been the earthly portion of various individuals. A miscarried baby (v. 3) is better off in that it has not experienced as much sorrow as the rich man who could not enjoy his wealth. The "one place"(v. 6) is the grave.
Solomon's final word of counsel was to be content with what you have (vv. 8-9; cf. Heb. 13:5). This is the last of nine times the phrase "striving after wind"occurs (cf. 1:14, 17; 2:11, 17, 26; 4:4, 6, 16). It opened and closes the section of the book dealing with the futility of human achievement (1:12-6:9).
