Why Solomon is the traditional author
The opening points to a royal figure. The speaker is called the Preacher and identified as David's son and king in Jerusalem (Ecclesiastes 1:1). The Hebrew title behind Preacher is Qoheleth, meaning someone connected with gathering or addressing an assembly.
The speaker also says that he was king over Israel in Jerusalem (Ecclesiastes 1:12). Solomon matches these details closely. He was David's son, ruled Israel from Jerusalem, and received exceptional wisdom from God (1 Kings 3:12).
The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
The life described sounds like Solomon
Ecclesiastes portrays someone who tested pleasure, undertook great building works, planted gardens and gathered extensive possessions (Ecclesiastes 2:4-5; Ecclesiastes 2:7-9). Those details resemble the picture of Solomon elsewhere in Scripture.
The book also reflects deeply on wisdom. Solomon is described as speaking thousands of proverbs and songs (1 Kings 4:32). So it makes sense that many readers have connected this searching wisdom book with Israel's famously wise king.
I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
Why there is still some uncertainty
Ecclesiastes never gives the personal name Solomon. It speaks through the title Preacher instead. That leaves room for a different view: some Christians think a later wise teacher wrote the book using a royal voice shaped around Solomon.
Its closing words refer to the Preacher in the third person and describe his teaching work (Ecclesiastes 12:9). This could be a concluding note from an editor, or simply part of the book's design. Scripture gives strong reasons for the Solomon connection, but it does not answer every question about the book's final composition.
The book's purpose is clear
Authorship matters, but Ecclesiastes wants to do more than satisfy curiosity. It looks honestly at work, success, enjoyment and loss, then shows that none of them can give lasting meaning when separated from God.
Its final direction is simple and weighty: honour God and live in response to him (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). Whether you understand Solomon as the direct author or the book's guiding voice, read Ecclesiastes as an invitation to bring life's hardest questions before God.
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.