5. gardens—Hebrew, "paradises," a foreign word; Sanskrit, "a place enclosed with a wall"; Armenian and Arabic, "a pleasure ground with flowers and shrubs near the king's house, or castle." An earthly paradise can never make up for the want of the heavenly (Revelation 2:7). read more
6. pools—artificial, for irrigating the soil (Genesis 2:10; Nehemiah 2:14; Isaiah 1:30). Three such reservoirs are still found, called Solomon's cisterns, a mile and a half from Jerusalem. wood that bringeth forth—rather, "the grove that flourisheth with trees" [LOWTH]. read more
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
"A sensible use of money may be a form of creativity; so Solomon expressed himself in extensive buildings and the planting of vineyards, fruit trees, and gardens (Ecclesiastes 2:4-6). [Note: J. S. Wright, p. 1156. Cf. 1 Kings 9:19.] Some of this experimentation involved sin (Ecclesiastes 2:8; cf. Numbers 15:39; Psalms 131:1). Solomon did not say he experienced no pleasure; he did. Nevertheless, his final evaluation was that pleasure does not yield long-term profit, i.e., real significance in... read more
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
(4) Houses.—1 Kings 5:11; 2 Chronicles 8:4.Vineyards.—1 Chronicles 27:27; Song of Solomon 8:11. read more
(5) Orchards.—Rather, parks. The word, which occurs also in Song of Solomon 4:3, Nehemiah 2:8, is originally Persian, and passed into the Greek and into modern languages in the form of “paradise” (Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 12:4; and in LXX., Genesis 2:10; Genesis 13:10; Numbers 24:6; Isaiah 1:30; Sir. 24:30; Susan. 5:4). Parks and trees giving, not only fruit, but shade from the hot Eastern sun, were an almost necessary part of kingly luxury. The king’s garden is spoken of in 1 Kings 21:2; 2... read more
(6) Pools.—In a place south of Bethlehem are still pointed out three gigantic reservoirs, known as the Pools of Solomon (Stanley’s Jewish Church, 2:197). The place is probably the same as that called Etham by Josephus in his description of Solomon’s luxury (Ant. viii. 7. 3). Josephus speaks of another Pool of Solomon (Bell. Jud. v. 4. 2). Tanks are necessary for irrigation in a land where natural streams are few and are dried up in summer. The king’s pool is mentioned in Nehemiah 2:14. read more
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
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:4
4. (1 Kings 7:1-8; 1 Kings 9:1; 1 Kings 9:19; 1 Kings 10:18, &c.). vineyards— (1 Kings 10:18- :). read more