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Matthew Henry

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 2:8

I gathered me also silver and gold ,.... In great quantities: the weight of gold which came to him in one year was six hundred threescore and six talents; see 1 Kings 9:14 ; and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces ; whatsoever was valuable and precious, such as is laid up in the cabinets of kings, as jewels and precious stones; and everything rare and curious, to be found in all provinces of the earth, or which were brought from thence as presents to him; the Targum is,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:8

The peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces - The tares levied off his subjects. 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 2:8

I gathered me also silver and gold . Much is said of the wealth of the historical Solomon, who had all his vessels of gold, armed his body-guard with golden shields, sat on an ivory throne overlaid with gold, received tribute and presents of gold from all quarters, sent his navies to distant lands to import precious metals, and made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones (see 1 Kings 9:28 ; 1 Kings 10:14-27 ; 2 Chronicles 1:15 ; 2 Chronicles 9:20-27 ). The peculiar treasure of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:8

Kings - Both tributary 1 Kings 10:15 and independent 1 Kings 5:1; 1 Kings 9:14; 1 Kings 10:2; the “provinces” probably correspond to the kingdoms mentioned in 1 Kings 4:21.As musical ... sorts - Rather, Many women (compare 1 Kings 11:1-3). read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 2:8

Ecclesiastes 2:8 . I gathered me silver and gold Vast riches; and the peculiar treasure of kings Riches, answerable to the state of a king, or, he means, the greatest jewels and rarities of other kings, which they gave to me, either as a tribute, or by way of present; and of the provinces Which were imposed upon or presented by all the provinces of my dominions. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:1-26

Lessons from experience (1:12-2:26)Writing as Solomon, the author now looks back and describes the experiences of a truly wise and wealthy man who searched for a meaning to life. First he tried the study of wisdom, but it led only to misery and frustration. Some things could not be made to fit any sort of consistent pattern; others, which in theory may have solved some problems, in practice did not exist (12-15). His learning and experience enabled him to tell the difference between wisdom and... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 2:8

gathered = amassed. Hebrew. kanas, said to be a later Hebrew word (see App-76 .) the provinces. Hebrew. medinah, from dun = to rule, hence a country. There is no article before "kings", because they constantly change, whereas countries do not change. This is another word which is said to be of later date, but it is found in 1 Kings 20:14 , 1 Kings 20:15 , 1Ki 20:17 , 1 Kings 20:19 . Lamentations 1:1 .Ezekiel 19:8 . See App-76 . Compare note on "event" in Ecclesiastes 2:14 . remained. The... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:8

Ecclesiastes 2:8. As musical instruments, &c.— A captive woman, nay, several captive women. It is doubted, whether the Hebrew words, rendered by us musical instruments, &c. signify things or persons. Mr. Desvoeux is of opinion that they signify persons. Any one, says he, who will read the original with attention, may easily perceive that this catalogue of Solomon's acquisitions from Ecc 2:4-8 is divided into several members by as many verbs; each of which has one or more substantives... read more

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