Ecclesiastes 2:3 KJV

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:3

3-11. Illustration more at large of Ecclesiastes 2:1; Ecclesiastes 2:2. I sought—I resolved, after search into many plans. give myself unto wine—literally, "to draw my flesh," or "body to wine" (including all banquetings). Image from a captive drawn after a chariot in triumph (Romans 6:16; Romans 6:19; 1 Corinthians 12:2); or, one "allured" (2 Peter 2:18; 2 Peter 2:19). yet acquainting . . . wisdom—literally, "and my heart (still) was behaving, or guiding itself," with wisdom [GESENIUS]. MAURER... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ecclesiastes 2:1-3

Pleasure produces no lasting accomplishment, either. That is, while it has some temporary, immediate value (e.g., relieving grief or boredom), it does not produce anything permanently or ultimately worthwhile. Rather, the pursuit of pleasure yields a hollow life. It is clear from Ecclesiastes 2:3 that Solomon’s investigation of pleasure was not a mindless dive into the morass of hedonism. Wisdom guided him throughout. He evidently pursued every pleasure available to an oriental monarch. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

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

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 2:3

(3) Sought.—The word translated “search out” (Ecclesiastes 1:13).“Draw,” margin. There is no Biblical parallel for the use of the word in this sense. The general meaning is plain.Acquainting.—Rather, guiding. The word is used of the driver of an animal or the shepherd of a flock (2 Samuel 6:3; Psalms 80:1; Isaiah 63:4). Kohéleth contemplated not an unrestrained enjoyment of pleasure, but one controlled by prudence.All the days.—(See margin). This phrase occurs again in Ecclesiastes 5:17;... 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 2:3

2:3 I sought in my heart to give myself to wine, yet acquainting my heart with {b} wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what [was] that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.(b) Even though I gave myself to pleasures, yet I thought to keep wisdom and the fear of God in my heart, and govern my affairs by the same. 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