ecclesiastes-2:1-11,matthew-5:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:8

I gathered me also silver and gold . Much is said of the wealth of the historical Solomon, who had all his vessels of gold, armed his body-guard with golden shields, sat on an ivory throne overlaid with gold, received tribute and presents of gold from all quarters, sent his navies to distant lands to import precious metals, and made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones (see 1 Kings 9:28 ; 1 Kings 10:14-27 ; 2 Chronicles 1:15 ; 2 Chronicles 9:20-27 ). The peculiar treasure of... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:10

Whatsoever mine eyes desired . The lust of the eyes ( 1 John 2:16 ), all that he saw and desired, he took measures to obtain. He denied himself no gratification, however foolish ( Ecclesiastes 2:3 ). For my heart rejoiced in all my labor ; i . e . found joy in what my labor procured for it (comp. Proverbs 5:18 ). This was the reason why he withheld not his heart from any joy ; kept it, as it were, ready to taste any pleasure which his exertions might obtain. This was my... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:11

Then I looked on —I turned to contemplate— all the works which my hands had wrought . He examined carefully the effects of the conduct and proceedings mentioned in Ecclesiastes 2:1-10 , and he now gives his matured judgment concerning them. They had contributed nothing to his anxious inquiry for man's real good. His sorrowful conclusion again is that all was vanity, a hunting of wind; in all the pursuits and labors that men undertake there is no real profit ( Ecclesiastes 1:3 ), no... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:1

Solomon’s trial of God’s second gift, namely, riches, and the enjoyment which riches supply; this brought him to the sane result (compare Ecclesiastes 1:12).Comparing Solomon’s action with Luke 12:16-21, it must be remembered that Solomon’s object was the acquisition of wisdom, not self-indulgence, and that he did not fail to look forward to the certainty of death overtaking him. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:3

I sought ... - Rather, I resolved (literally “I turned in my heart”) to draw my flesh with wine (see the margin), my heart guiding me with wisdom. In the course of his attempt to answer the question of Ecclesiastes 1:3, while his heart was directing him (as a charioteer directs his horses or a shepherd his sheep) with wisdom, and while he was following that guidance, he determined to draw with him his flesh by wine, thus making his flesh, which he speaks of as distinct from himself (compare... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:4

Compare 1 Kings 7:1-12; 1 Kings 9:15-19; 1 Kings 10:14-27; and 2 Chronicles 8:4. 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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:7

I got - Rather, I bought, in distinction from those born in the house. The “children of Solomon’s servants” (compare Ezra 2:55, Ezra 2:58) were more probably of Canaanite origin 1 Kings 9:20-21; 1 Kings 5:15 than Hebrews 1 Kings 9:22.Possessions of great and small cattle - Rather, herds of oxen and sheep.All ... before me - King David’s herds and flocks are mentioned in 1 Chronicles 27:29, 1 Chronicles 27:31 : but we have no specific account of the wealth of other Canaanite or Hebrew... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:11

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:1

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:4

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

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

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:7

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