Can Life have purpose? Does Ecclesiastes help?

I am amazed at how relevant the book of Ecclesiastes is for the 21st century. The book is set in the wisdom literature of the Bible. It may be that Solomon wrote Song of Songs when he was young (and about to marry his first wife, and prior to his marrying the 699 other wives). Proverbs may have been written throughout his life and finally Ecclesiastes written to his sons and closer to the end of his life. I guess one could say that The Song looks at life with the cup full, Proverbs with the cup half full, and Ecclesiastes with the cup at least half empty.
Ecclesiastes loses some of its mystery when one notices a couple of repeated and emphasized ideas. 27 times the phrase 'under the sun' (meaning more or less 'without considering God') is repeated in Ecclesiastes. The phrase is used no where else in the Bible. 15 times the idea of God giving something to man is used. The point is that only by honoring God and pursuing His wisdom will one be able to overcome the incredible emptiness that consumes life in this world (or 'under the sun'). When reading Ecclesiastes one must consider from what viewpoint the author is speaking. Obviously, the author can write some pretty outrageous things if he writes from the 'under the sun' view. Regularly, the author evaluates his experience and philosophy beyond the horizon. In fact, the author will quickly (chapter three) point to the wisdom and common sense of submitting to God's authority, and working with an attitude that God is good and in control. The only place we find "a handful of rest" (Ecclesiastes 4.6) in this empty world is with at least a glimpse beyond the horizon. ( footnote: Derek Kidner and Michael Eaton (not Keaton, silly!) provided me huge insight into Ecclesiastes)