Ecclesiastes 2:1-5 NIV

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 2:1

I said in mine heart ,.... He communed with his heart, he thought and reasoned within himself, and came to this resolution in his own mind; that since he could not find happiness in natural wisdom and knowledge, he would seek for it elsewhere, even in pleasure; in which, he observed, some men placed their happiness; or, however, sought for it there: or, "I said to my heart", as the Syriac version; Go to now ; or, "go, I pray thee" F21 לכה נא "age, quaeso", Tigurine version,... read more

John Gill

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

I said of laughter, it is mad ,.... The risible faculty in man is given him for some usefulness; and when used in a moderate way, and kept within due bounds, is of service to him, and conduces to the health of his body, and the pleasure of his mind; but when used on every trivial occasion, and at every foolish thing that is said or done, and indulged to excess, it is mere madness, and makes a man look more like a madman and a fool than a wise man; it lasts but for a while, and the end of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:3

I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine ,.... Not in an immoderate way, so as to intoxicate himself with it, in which there can be no pleasure, nor any show of happiness; but in a moderate, yet liberal way, so as to be innocently cheerful and pleasant, and hereby try what good and happiness were to be possessed in this way. By "wine" is meant, not that only, but everything eatable and drinkable that is good; it signifies what is called good living, good eating and drinking: Solomon... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:1

I will prove thee with mirth - This is well expressed by the author so often referred to. Having tried speculative knowledge in vain, passion and appetite whisper: - "From the rugged thorny road Of wisdom, which so ill repays thy toil, Turn back, and enter pleasure's flowery paths. Go, take thy fill of joy, to passion give The reins; nor let one serious thought restrain What youth and affluence prompt." read more

Adam Clarke

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

I said of laughter, It is mad - Literally "To laughter I said, O mad one! and to mirth, What is this one doing?" Solomon does not speak here of a sober enjoyment of the things of this world, but of intemperate pleasure, whose two attendants, laughter and mirth are introduced by a beautiful prosopopoeia as two persons; and the contemptuous manner wherewith he treats them has something remarkably striking. He tells the former to her face that she is mad; but as to the latter, he thinks her... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:3

To give myself unto wine, (yet acquainting [ נהג noheg , "guiding"] mine heart with wisdom) - I did not run into extremes, as when I gave up myself to mirth and pleasure. There, I threw off all restraint; here, I took the middle course, to see whether a moderate enjoyment of the things of the world might not produce that happiness which I supposed man was created to enjoy here below. 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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:1

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:4

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:1

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:3

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

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