伝道の書 2:1-2 JC

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Solomon here, in pursuit of the summum bonum?the felicity of man, adjourns out of his study, his library, his elaboratory, his council-chamber, where he had in vain sought for it, into the park and the playhouse, his garden and his summer-house; he exchanges the company of the philosophers and grave senators for that of the wits and gallants, and the beaux-esprits, of his court, to try if he could find true satisfaction and happiness among them. Here he takes a great step downward, from the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:1

I said in mine heart ,.... He communed with his heart, he thought and reasoned within himself, and came to this resolution in his own mind; that since he could not find happiness in natural wisdom and knowledge, he would seek for it elsewhere, even in pleasure; in which, he observed, some men placed their happiness; or, however, sought for it there: or, "I said to my heart", as the Syriac version; Go to now ; or, "go, I pray thee" F21 לכה נא "age, quaeso", Tigurine version,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:2

I said of laughter, it is mad ,.... The risible faculty in man is given him for some usefulness; and when used in a moderate way, and kept within due bounds, is of service to him, and conduces to the health of his body, and the pleasure of his mind; but when used on every trivial occasion, and at every foolish thing that is said or done, and indulged to excess, it is mere madness, and makes a man look more like a madman and a fool than a wise man; it lasts but for a while, and the end of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:1

I will prove thee with mirth - This is well expressed by the author so often referred to. Having tried speculative knowledge in vain, passion and appetite whisper: - "From the rugged thorny road Of wisdom, which so ill repays thy toil, Turn back, and enter pleasure's flowery paths. Go, take thy fill of joy, to passion give The reins; nor let one serious thought restrain What youth and affluence prompt." read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:2

I said of laughter, It is mad - Literally "To laughter I said, O mad one! and to mirth, What is this one doing?" Solomon does not speak here of a sober enjoyment of the things of this world, but of intemperate pleasure, whose two attendants, laughter and mirth are introduced by a beautiful prosopopoeia as two persons; and the contemptuous manner wherewith he treats them has something remarkably striking. He tells the former to her face that she is mad; but as to the latter, he thinks her... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:1

Dissatisfied with the result of the pursuit of wisdom, Koheleth embarks on a course of sensual pleasure, if so be this may yield some effect more substantial and permanent. I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth. The heart is addressed as the seat of the emotions and affections. The Vulgate misses the direct address to the heart, which the words, rightly interpreted, imply, translating, Vadam et offluam delieiis . The Septuagint correctly gives, δεῦρο δὴ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Section 2. Vanity of striving after pleasure and wealth. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:2

I said of laughter, It is mad. Laughter and mirth are personified, hence treated as masculine. He uses the term "mad" in reference to the statement in Ecclesiastes 1:17 , "I gave my heart to know madness and folly." Septuagint, "I said to laughter, Error ( περιφοράν );" Vulgate, Risum reputavi errorem . Neither of these is as accurate as the Authorized Version. Of mirth, What doeth it? What does it effect towards real happiness and contentment? How does it help to fill the void,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:1

Solomon’s trial of God’s second gift, namely, riches, and the enjoyment which riches supply; this brought him to the sane result (compare Ecclesiastes 1:12).Comparing Solomon’s action with Luke 12:16-21, it must be remembered that Solomon’s object was the acquisition of wisdom, not self-indulgence, and that he did not fail to look forward to the certainty of death overtaking him. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 2:1-2

Ecclesiastes 2:1-2. I said in my heart Being disappointed of my hopes from knowledge, I resolved to try another course. Go to now O my soul! I will try whether I cannot make thee happy by the enjoyment of sensual delights. This also is vanity Is vain, and unable to make men happy. I said of laughter, It is mad This is an act of madness, more fit for fools who know nothing, than for wise men in this sinful, and dangerous, and deplorable state of mankind. What doth it What good doth... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:1

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 2:1-2

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