Ecclesiastes 2:14-16 KJV

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ecclesiastes 2:12-17

4. Solomon’s evaluation of his investigation of pleasure 2:12-17The king realized that few people would be able to check the results of his experiments. Few if any would have the resources he had at his disposal to duplicate his experiments (Ecclesiastes 2:12).Wisdom is better than folly in some respects, but neither provides a key to discovering real profit. Consequently, Solomon concluded that being wise only has temporary and limited advantages over being foolish. Ultimately there is not... 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 2:14

(14) Event.—Translated “hap,” or “chance” (Ruth 2:13; 1 Samuel 6:9; 1 Samuel 20:26). read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ecclesiastes 2:16

(16) It might be urged on behalf of the Solomonic authorship that Solomon himself might imagine that in the days to come he and his wisdom would be forgotten, but that such a thought does not become a long subsequent writer who had been induced by Solomon’s reputation for wisdom to make him the hero of his work. It would seem to follow that the writer is here only giving the history of Solomon’s reflections, and not his ultimate conclusions. Better to omit the note of interrogation after “wise... 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 2:14

2:14 The wise man’s {i} eyes [are] in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one {k} event happeneth to them all.(i) Meaning, in this world.(k) For both die and are forgotten as in Ecclesiastes 2:16 or they both alike have prosperity or adversity. read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:16

2:16 For [there is] no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool {l} for ever; seeing that which now [is] in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And {m} how dieth the wise [man]? as the fool.(l) Meaning, in this world.(m) He wonders that men forget a wise man, being dead, as soon as they do a fool. 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