[1] The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. The authorship claim is quite clear. Also note 1:12—the author was King of Israel (all Israel, while it was still united) in Jerusalem—as only three men were: Saul, David, and Solomon and only one of them could be described as son of David. Qoheleth—preacher. The writer is preaching a message of right perspective of and relationship to God. [2] Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities;