Ecclesiastes 2:5-6

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 2:5

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

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

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 2:5

I made me gardens and orchards . Solomon's love of gardens appears throughout the Canticles (So Song of Solomon 6:2 , etc.). He had a king's garden on the slope of the hills south of the city ( 2 Kings 25:4 ); and Beth-hacchemm, "the House of the Vine," at Ain Karim, about six miles east of Jerusalem ( Jeremiah 6:1 ); and at Baal-hamon another extensive vineyard (So Song of Solomon 8:11 ). The word rendered "orchard" ( parder ) occurs also in So Song of Solomon 4:13 and ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:6

Pools of water . Great care was exercised by Solomon to provide his capital with water, and vast operations were undertaken for this purpose. "The king's pool," mentioned in Nehemiah 2:14 , may have been constructed by him (Josephus, 'Bell. Jud.,' 5.4. 2); but the most celebrated work ascribed to him is the water-supply at Etham, southwest of Bethlehem, and the aqueduct leading from thence to Jerusalem. Most modern travelers have described these pools. They are three in number, and,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:5

Orchards - literally, “paradises,” i. e., parks or pleasure-grounds (compare Nehemiah 2:8 note). Indications of at least three of these have been pointed out; one at Jerusalem near the pool of Siloam, called “the king’s garden” Nehemiah 3:15; Jeremiah 52:7; a second near Bethlehem (compare Ecclesiastes 2:6); and a third in the remote north, on the heights of Hermon Song of Solomon 4:8; Song of Solomon 8:11. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:6

Pools - A short distance south of Bethlehem, in a valley in the defile of Urtas, three “Pools of Solomon” are still shown and an adjoining hill still bears the name of the “Little Paradise.” read more

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