ecclesiastes-2:4-8-nasb,nasb

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 2:4

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

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:7

I got me servants and maidens ,.... Menservants, and maidservants; the Targum adds, "of the children of Ham, and of the rest of the strange people;' these were such as he hired, or bought with his money; and had servants born in my house ; and these were all employed by him; either as his retinue and equipage, his attendants and bodyguards; or to take care of his household, his gardens, and pools; or for his horses and chariots, and for various offices; see 1 Kings 4:26 , Ezra... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:8

I gathered me also silver and gold ,.... In great quantities: the weight of gold which came to him in one year was six hundred threescore and six talents; see 1 Kings 9:14 ; and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces ; whatsoever was valuable and precious, such as is laid up in the cabinets of kings, as jewels and precious stones; and everything rare and curious, to be found in all provinces of the earth, or which were brought from thence as presents to him; the Targum is,... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:5

I made one gardens and orchards - פרדסים pardesim , "paradises." I doubt much whether this be an original Hebrew word. ferdoos , is found in the Persian and Arabic; and signifies a pleasant garden, a vineyard. Hence our word paradise, a place full of delights. How well Solomon was qualified to form gardens, orchards, vineyards, conservatories, etc., may be at once conceived when we recollect his knowledge of natural history; and that he wrote treatises on vegetables and their... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:7

Servants and maidens - For my works, fields, folds, and various domestic labors. Servants born in any house - Besides those hired from without, he had married couples in the precincts of his grounds, palaces, etc., who, when their children grew up, got them employment with themselves. Great and small cattle - Oxen, neat, horses, asses, mules, camels, and such like; with sheep and goats. And multitudes of most of these he needed, when we are told that his household consumed daily ten... read more

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

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:8

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:7

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