Ecclesiastes 2:11

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

1-11 Solomon soon found mirth and pleasure to be vanity. What does noisy, flashy mirth towards making a man happy? The manifold devices of men's hearts, to get satisfaction from the world, and their changing from one thing to another, are like the restlessness of a man in a fever. Perceiving it was folly to give himself to wine, he next tried the costly amusements of princes. The poor, when they read such a description, are ready to feel discontent. But the remedy against all such feelings is... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Ecclesiastes 2:1-19

Solomon's own Example v. 1. I said in mine heart, in considering carefully the possibility of enjoyment, Go to, now, I will prove thee with mirth, to find out whether he would feel happy and contented in enjoyment of the senses; therefore enjoy pleasure, sensual delights of every kind; and, behold, this also is vanity, it affords no true happiness. v. 2. I said of laughter, of the joy and cheerfulness which he madly attempted to reach, It is mad, foolish, it affords no real satisfaction; ... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Ecclesiastes 2:1-26

Ecclesiastes 2:1-26.1. The vanity of practical wisdom in itself, proved by the example of Solomon(Ecclesiastes 2:1-19).1I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and behold, this also is vanity. 2I said of laughter, It is mad; and of mirth, What doeth it? 3I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:1-17

24-26, Vain Undertakings Ecclesiastes 2:1-17 At the beginning of his search for happiness Solomon erected a splendid home and planned all kinds of delights of an artistic and sensuous nature. There were gardens, pools of crystal water, fruit trees, meadows filled with cattle, regal splendor, musicians who poured into the palace their sweet melodies. He went further, adding to architecture and art his intellectual pursuits. But when he had gone to the furthest limit, he turned from it all,... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:1-26

Turning from the pursuit of knowledge to the pathway of pleasure, the king had given himself up to mirth, seeking the false stimulus of wine. In this also he had been disappointed, finding that mirth was madness, and all pleasure incompetent to satisfy. He next turned to his great possessions, attempting to make such use of them as to bring satisfaction not found elsewhere. He surrounded himself with every kind of luxury, gathered large possessions, gave himself over to music and to women,... read more

Robert Neighbour

Wells of Living Water Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:11-26

Vanity and Vexation under the Sun Ecclesiastes 2:11-26 INTRODUCTORY WORDS We shall introduce our study with quotations from our booklet on Ecclesiastes. Solomon had tried everything which his heart could desire; and we find his statement thus: "And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy." Suppose that the man of today, who can have every wish gratified, should, from his untold riches satisfy his every desire; suppose withal that he had untold... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Chapter 2 The Search for Pleasure. Experimenting With Good Things (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 ). Ecclesiastes 2:1 ‘I said in my heart, “Go at it now, I will test out merriment. Therefore enjoy pleasure (or ‘good things’). “ And behold this also was vanity.’ The writer summarises his findings from his next venture, the search for pleasure, for good things. Perhaps meaning could be found in that. But it failed. That also was empty and meaningless. That also did not finally satisfy the heart and the... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:1-26

The Preacher Has Made His Enquiries and Comes Up With Nothing (Ecclesiastes 1:12 - Ecclesiastes 2:26 ). The Preacher now brings out that he has made further enquiries and has come up with nothing. He first considers the search for intellectual knowledge (Ecclesiastes 1:12-18), and then he considers the search for pleasure (Ecclesiastes 2:1-26), but he concludes that both lead nowhere. read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Ecclesiastes 1:12 to Ecclesiastes 2:26 . Qoheleth’ s Investigations.— Assuming the character of Solomon the writer tells of his search for happiness under many forms. The pursuit of wisdom ( Ecclesiastes 2:12-Job :), absorption in pleasure ( Ecclesiastes 2:1-1 Kings :), the study of human nature ( Ecclesiastes 2:12-Esther :), the acquisition of wealth ( Ecclesiastes 2:18-Isaiah :), alike fail to yield satisfaction. After all his experience the only verdict he can reach is that there is “... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:1-26

Ecclesiastes 1:12 to Ecclesiastes 2:26 . Qoheleth’ s Investigations.— Assuming the character of Solomon the writer tells of his search for happiness under many forms. The pursuit of wisdom ( Ecclesiastes 1:12-Job :), absorption in pleasure ( Ecclesiastes 2:1-1 Kings :), the study of human nature ( Ecclesiastes 2:12-Esther :), the acquisition of wealth ( Ecclesiastes 2:18-Job :), alike fail to yield satisfaction. After all his experience the only verdict he can reach is that there is “... read more

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