ecclesiastes-1:13-bsb

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 1:12-18

Ecclesiastes 1:12 to Ecclesiastes 2:26 . Qoheleth’ s Investigations.— Assuming the character of Solomon the writer tells of his search for happiness under many forms. The pursuit of wisdom ( Ecclesiastes 1:12-Job :), absorption in pleasure ( Ecclesiastes 2:1-1 Kings :), the study of human nature ( Ecclesiastes 2:12-Esther :), the acquisition of wealth ( Ecclesiastes 2:18-Job :), alike fail to yield satisfaction. After all his experience the only verdict he can reach is that there is “... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 1:13

I gave my heart, which phrase notes his serious and fixed purpose, his great industry and alacrity in it, to seek and search out, to seek diligently and accurately, by wisdom, wisely, or by the help of that wisdom wherewith God had endowed me, concerning all things that are done under heaven; concerning all the works of God and men in this lower world; the works of nature, and their causes, effects, properties, and operations; the works of Divine providence, and God’s counsels and ends in them;... read more

William Nicoll

Sermon Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 1:12-14

Ecclesiastes 1:12-14 I. Solomon found no rest in pleasure, riches, power, glory, wisdom itself. He had learnt nothing more, after all, than he might have known, and doubtless did know, when he was a child of seven years old; and that was simply to fear God and keep His commandments, for that was the whole duty of man. But though he did know it, he had lost the power of doing it; and he ended darkly and shamefully a dotard worshipping idols of wood and stone among his heathen queens. And thus as... read more

William Nicoll

Sermon Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 1:12-18

Ecclesiastes 1:12-3:22 Koheleth now mentions the unusual advantages which he had possessed for enjoying life and making the best of it. His opportunities could not have been greater, he considers, had he been Solomon himself. He henceforth speaks therefore under the personated character of the wise son of David. He speaks as one who represented the wisdom and prosperity of his age. I. "I have set myself," he says, "to the task of investigating scientifically the value of all human pursuits."... read more

Chuck Smith

Chuck Smith Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 1:1-18

Book of Ecclesiastes begins,The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem ( Ecclesiastes 1:1 ).So that identifies the author as Solomon. The Hebrew word that is translated preacher is a word that can mean one of the assembly or a debater. And it is determined that the translation preacher is not necessarily a good translation of this Hebrew qoheleth, that it might be better translated the debater. "The words of the Debater, the son of David, the king of Jerusalem." He refers to... read more

Joseph Sutcliffe

Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 1:1-18

Ecclesiastes 1:2 . Vanity of vanities. This is the Hebrew form of the superlative degree of comparison; as, the heaven of heavens, the song of songs, &c. He adds, “vexation of spirit,” because his researches found neither bottom nor end. Thus Paul, in the study of providence, exclaimed, Ο Βαθος , “oh the depth!” We cannot penetrate far into the expanse of heaven, yet we see enough to charm the eye, and delight the mind. Ecclesiastes 1:6 . The wind goeth toward the south. Captain... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Ecclesiastes 1:13-14

Ecclesiastes 1:13-14I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven.The mysteries of human lifeNow, there has never been any book which can be compared to this marvellous book of Ecclesiastes. It is the laboratory in which the penitent gathers bitter herbs, the garden in which the wise man gathers sweet flowers. It is the laboratory to which the greatest sage of old times deliberately puts his hand and his head to try experiments, in order to... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 1:13

Ecc 1:13 And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all [things] that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. Ver. 13. And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom. ] God had given Solomon a large heart, and great store of wisdom; and this made him not more idle, but more industrious, more sedulous and serious in seeking and … Searching out by wisdom, ] i.e., By the best skill that he had, maturely and... read more

Samuel Bagster

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge - Ecclesiastes 1:13

I gave: Ecclesiastes 1:17, Ecclesiastes 7:25, Ecclesiastes 8:9, Ecclesiastes 8:16, Ecclesiastes 8:17, Psalms 111:2, Proverbs 2:2-Numbers :, Proverbs 4:7, Proverbs 18:1, Proverbs 18:15, Proverbs 23:26, 1 Timothy 4:15 this sore: Ecclesiastes 3:10, Ecclesiastes 4:4, Ecclesiastes 12:12, Genesis 3:19 to be exercised: or, to afflict them Reciprocal: Genesis 3:17 - cursed Judges 19:16 - his work 1 Kings 3:12 - I have given Job 28:3 - searcheth Psalms 78:33 - years Psalms 119:45 - for I seek... read more

John Wesley

Wesley's Explanatory Notes - Ecclesiastes 1:13

And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.I gave my heart — Which phrase denotes his serious and fixed purpose, and his great industry in it.To search — To seek diligently and accurately.By wisdom — By the help of that wisdom wherewith God had endowed me.Concerning — Concerning all the works of God and men in this lower world; the works of nature; the works... read more