The Yirai Elokim- Is there more here than meets the eye?

We have finally come to a point in Kohelet where we think there may actually be a purpose to our lives. Shlomo has finally found something that makes full sense and cannot be reduced to hevel- a G-d fearing lifestyle. Now, we can finally start living and appreciating the wonders that He has given us. However, something strikes me as odd. In this philosophical work, Shlomo explores many different lifestyles and idealogies and declares every one of them useless- every one, that is, expect that of the G-d fearing person. Now, this strikes me as odd. Shlomo was initially a G-d fearing Jew, was he not? He was raised around these principles from the very beginning. So why is he figuring this out now? How could he have ignored what was blatantly in his face for his entire life? Did he go completely off the derech while searching for other meaning, and came back full circle? But wait- if he went off the derech in this process, he would have still been king. So was he king while not following G-d's rules? Oy, that wouldn't be such a good role model for the Jewish people. And yet, if he continued to be king, was he not punished at that time? Did G-d let him get away with not doing what he was supposed to at that time ? We know he got punished later on, but it seems like immediate consequences in that situation would be fitting. As usual, I have tons of questions, so feel free to comment any of your own ideas below!