Ecclesiastes 2:1-26

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 “ nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink” and enjoy life as well as he can while he has it ( Ecclesiastes 2:24-Ezekiel :).

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 “ nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink” and enjoy life as well as he can while he has it ( Ecclesiastes 2:24-Ezekiel :).

Ecclesiastes 1:12; Ecclesiastes 1:16 . See Introduction.

Ecclesiastes 1:13 . Cf. Ecclesiastes 7:25; Ecclesiastes 8:16, and for God as a hard taskmaster Ecclesiastes 3:10.— seek and search: get to the bottom of the problem and survey it on all sides.

Ecclesiastes 1:14 . striving after wind: see mg., a strong phrase for aimless and futile desire.

Ecclesiastes 1:15 . Life is incurably twisted and imperfect.

Ecclesiastes 1:17 . Qoheleth would discover truth by the study of contraries. For “ madness and folly,” however, LXX by a slight change of the Hebrew reads “ comparisons” (or parables) and “ science.” But increased knowledge only means increased perplexity ( Ecclesiastes 1:18).