Ecclesiastes 2:1 NIV

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:1

1. I said . . . heart— ( :-). thee—my heart, I will test whether thou canst find that solid good in pleasure which was not in "worldly wisdom." But this also proves to be "vanity" (Isaiah 50:11). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ecclesiastes 2:1-3

Pleasure produces no lasting accomplishment, either. That is, while it has some temporary, immediate value (e.g., relieving grief or boredom), it does not produce anything permanently or ultimately worthwhile. Rather, the pursuit of pleasure yields a hollow life. It is clear from Ecclesiastes 2:3 that Solomon’s investigation of pleasure was not a mindless dive into the morass of hedonism. Wisdom guided him throughout. He evidently pursued every pleasure available to an oriental monarch. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

3. Solomon’s investigation of pleasure 2:1-11"After having proved that secular wisdom has no superiority to folly in bringing true happiness to man, he [the writer] seeks his happiness in a different way, and gives himself up to cheerful enjoyment." [Note: Delitzsch, p. 232.] "Solomon . . . decided to test his own heart to see how he would respond to two very common experiences of life: enjoyment (1-3) and employment (4-11)." [Note: Wiersbe, p. 487.] read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:1-26

Epicureanism and Wisdom alike Profitless1-3. The writer makes enjoyment his quest, while aware that it is folly, and avoiding excess in a philosophic spirit.1. I will prove thee with mirth] Wisdom, whether sought in nature or in human things, having proved unsatisfying, he now makes a cast in another direction. Increase of knowledge is increase of sorrow; but what, if he were to try the fascination of enjoyment?2. It is mad] He knows all the time that no solid comfort will be the issue. Mirth... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ecclesiastes 2:1

(1) In mine heart.—To mine heart (Luke 12:19; Psalms 42:11).Go to now.—Numbers 22:6; Judges 19:11.Enjoy.—Heb., see. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Ecclesiastes 2:1-26

Ecclesiastes 2:4 He who watches winds that blow May too long neglect to sow; He who waits lest clouds should rain Harvest never shall obtain. Signs and tokens false may prove; Trust thou in a Saviour's love, In His sacrifice for sin, And His Spirit's power within. Faith in God, if such be thine, Shall be found thy safest sign, And obedience to His will Prove the best of tokens still. Bernard Barton. Ecclesiastes 2:4-6 ; Ecclesiastes 2:8 ; Ecclesiastes 2:11 . If any resemblance with Tennyson's... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:1-26

8FIRST SECTIONThe Quest Of The Chief Good In Wisdom And In PleasureEcclesiastes 1:12-18; Ecclesiastes 2:1-26OPPRESSED by his profound sense of the vanity of the life which man lives amid the play of permanent natural forces, Coheleth sets out on the search for that true and supreme Good which it will be well for the sons of men to pursue through their brief day; the good which will sustain them under all their toils, and be "a portion" so large, and enduring as to satisfy even their vast... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:1-26

CHAPTER 2The Results of the Search and Different Vanities 1. His personal experience (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 ) 2. Various vanities and a conclusion (Ecclesiastes 2:12-26 ) Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 . Here we find first of all the king’s personal experience. He experimented, so to speak, with that which is the possession of the natural man, a fallen nature. In that nature are found three things: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. We can trace these three things in the... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:1

2:1 I said in my heart, Come now, I will tempt {a} thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also [is] vanity.(a) Solomon makes this discourse with himself, as though he would try whether there was contentment in ease and pleasures. read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:1-26

THE PROLOGUE (Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 ) These verses show the general result of the whole search for good on earth, the record of which is to follow (Ecclesiastes 1:1-3 ); a symbolic illustration from nature of the monotony of human existence (Ecclesiastes 1:4-7 ); and a plain statement of the facts in the case (Ecclesiastes 1:8-11 ). THE INTRODUCTION (Ecclesiastes 1:12-18 ) These verses describe the seeker (Ecclesiastes 1:12 ); his method of search (Ecclesiastes 1:13 ), and the result in... read more