ecclesiastes-2:9-10-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 2:9

So I was great ,.... Became famous for the great works wrought by him before mentioned; and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem ; the Targum adds, "in riches"; but it seems rather to respect his fame and glory among men; though in general it may include his increase of wealth, power, and honour, and everything that contributed to his external happiness; also my wisdom remained with me ; the Targum adds, "and it helped me"; which he exercised and showed in the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:10

And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them ,.... Though this sense is only mentioned, all are designed; he denied himself of nothing that was agreeable to him, that was pleasing to the eye, to the ear, to the taste, or any other sense; he indulged himself in everything, observing a proper decorum, and keeping himself within the due bounds of sobriety and good sense; I withheld not my heart from any joy : the Targum says, "from all joy of the law"; but it is to be understood of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:10

I withheld not my heart from any joy - He had every means of gratification; he could desire nothing that was not within his reach; and whatever he wished, he took care to possess. 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 2:9

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:10

Portion - A word of frequent occurrence. By it Solomon describes the pleasure found in the act of working and also perhaps the pleasure felt in the process of acquiring wisdom; this pleasure is admitted to be good, if received from God (Ecclesiastes 2:26; Ecclesiastes 5:18; compare 1 Timothy 4:4); but being transitory it is subject to vanity, and therefore does not afford a sufficient answer to the repeated question, “What profit etc.?” Ecclesiastes 1:3. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 2:9-10

Ecclesiastes 2:9-10. So I was great In riches, and power, and glory. My wisdom remained As yet I was not wholly seduced from God. And whatsoever mine eyes desired Whatsoever was grateful to my senses, or my heart desired; I kept not from them I denied myself nothing, at least, of lawful delights, but went to the very bounds of them; which was the occasion of his falling afterward into sinful pleasures. I withheld not my heart, &c. As my heart was vehemently set upon pleasure, so... 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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:10

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:10

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 2:10

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 2:9-10

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 2:1-26

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