Ecclesiastes 2:9

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 2:9

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

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 2:9

So I was great (see on Ecclesiastes 1:16 ). This refers to the magnificence and extent of his possessions and luxury, as the former passage to the surpassing excellence of his wisdom. We may compare the mention of Abraham ( Genesis 26:13 ), "The man waxed great, and grew more and more until he became very great" ( sc . Job 1:3 ). Also my wisdom remained with me ; perseveravit mecum (Vulgate); ἐστάθη μοι . In accordance with the purpose mentioned in Ecclesiastes 2:3 , he... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 2:9-10

Ecclesiastes 2:9-10. So I was great In riches, and power, and glory. My wisdom remained As yet I was not wholly seduced from God. And whatsoever mine eyes desired Whatsoever was grateful to my senses, or my heart desired; I kept not from them I denied myself nothing, at least, of lawful delights, but went to the very bounds of them; which was the occasion of his falling afterward into sinful pleasures. I withheld not my heart, &c. As my heart was vehemently set upon pleasure, so... 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

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:9

Ecclesiastes 2:9. Also my wisdom remained with me— The meaning is, that Solomon's greatness had no way impaired his wisdom, as is too frequently the case. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:9

9. great—opulent (Genesis 24:35; Job 1:3; see Job 1:3- :). remained— (Job 1:3- :). 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

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ecclesiastes 2:4-11

"A sensible use of money may be a form of creativity; so Solomon expressed himself in extensive buildings and the planting of vineyards, fruit trees, and gardens (Ecclesiastes 2:4-6). [Note: J. S. Wright, p. 1156. Cf. 1 Kings 9:19.] Some of this experimentation involved sin (Ecclesiastes 2:8; cf. Numbers 15:39; Psalms 131:1). Solomon did not say he experienced no pleasure; he did. Nevertheless, his final evaluation was that pleasure does not yield long-term profit, i.e., real significance in... read more

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