Ecclesiastes 2:4-9

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 2:4

I made me great works ,.... He did not spend his time in trifling things, as Domitian F1 Sueton. Vit. Domitian. c. 3. Aurel. Victor. De. Caesar. & Epitome. , in catching and killing flies; but in devising, designing, directing, and superintending great works of art and skill, becoming the grandeur of his state, and the greatness of his mind: the Midrash restrains it to his great throne of ivory, overlaid with gold, 1 Kings 10:18 , but it is a general expression, including all the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:5

I made me gardens and orchards ,.... Of the king's garden, we read Jeremiah 39:4 . Adrichomius F2 Theatrum Terrae Sanctae, p. 170. makes mention of a royal garden in the suburbs of Jerusalem, fenced with walls; and was a paradise of fruit trees, herbs, spices, and flowers; abounded with all kind of fruit, exceeding pleasant and delightful to the senses: and, as Solomon was so great a botanist, and knew the nature and use of all kinds of trees and herbs, 1 Kings 4:33 ; no doubt but... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:6

I made me pools of water ,.... For cascades and water works to play in, as well as to keep and produce fish of all kinds: mention is made of the king's pools, Nehemiah 2:14 ; the fish pools at Heshbon, by the gate of Bathrabbim, perhaps belonged to Solomon, Song of Solomon 7:4 ; Little more than a league from Bethlehem are pools of water, which at this day are called the fish pools of Solomon; they are great reservatories cut in the rock, the one at the end of the other; the second being... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:7

I got me servants and maidens ,.... Menservants, and maidservants; the Targum adds, "of the children of Ham, and of the rest of the strange people;' these were such as he hired, or bought with his money; and had servants born in my house ; and these were all employed by him; either as his retinue and equipage, his attendants and bodyguards; or to take care of his household, his gardens, and pools; or for his horses and chariots, and for various offices; see 1 Kings 4:26 , Ezra... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:9

So I was great ,.... Became famous for the great works wrought by him before mentioned; and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem ; the Targum adds, "in riches"; but it seems rather to respect his fame and glory among men; though in general it may include his increase of wealth, power, and honour, and everything that contributed to his external happiness; also my wisdom remained with me ; the Targum adds, "and it helped me"; which he exercised and showed in the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:4

I builded me houses - Palace after palace; the house of the forest of Lebanon, 1 Kings 7:1 , etc.; a house for the queen; the temple, etc., 2 Chronicles 8:1 , etc.; 1 Kings 9:10 , etc., besides many other buildings of various kinds. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:5

I made one gardens and orchards - פרדסים pardesim , "paradises." I doubt much whether this be an original Hebrew word. ferdoos , is found in the Persian and Arabic; and signifies a pleasant garden, a vineyard. Hence our word paradise, a place full of delights. How well Solomon was qualified to form gardens, orchards, vineyards, conservatories, etc., may be at once conceived when we recollect his knowledge of natural history; and that he wrote treatises on vegetables and their... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:6

Pools of waters - Tanks and reservoirs. To water therewith the wood - Aqueducts to lead the water from the tanks to different parts. read more

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