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Matthew Henry

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 2:6

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 2:6

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 2:6

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 2:6

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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 2:4-7

Ecclesiastes 2:4-7. I made me great works Magnificent works, for my honour and delight. I builded me houses Of which see 1 Kings 7:1, &c.; 9:15, &c.; Song of Solomon 8:11. I made me gardens Hebrew, paradises, or gardens of pleasure; I planted trees, &c. Mixing pleasure and profit together. I made me pools of water Because the rain there fell but seldom; to water therewith the wood The nurseries of young trees, which, for the multitude of them, were like a wood or... 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 2:6

Ecclesiastes 2:6. To water therewith the wood, &c.— To water therewith the nursery of young trees. Desvoeux. Hebrew, the forest-budding trees. read more

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