Ecclesiastes 2:1-11
1. I said . . . heart— (Lu 12:19).
thee—my heart, I will test whether thou canst find that solid good in pleasure which was not in "worldly wisdom." But this also proves to be "vanity" (Isa 50:11).2. laughter—including prosperity, and joy in general (Job 8:21).
mad—that is, when made the chief good; it is harmless in its proper place. What doeth it?—Of what avail is it in giving solid good? (Ec 7:6; Pr 14:13).3-11. Illustration more at large of Ec 2:1, 2.
I sought—I resolved, after search into many plans. give myself unto wine—literally, "to draw my flesh," or "body to wine" (including all banquetings). Image from a captive drawn after a chariot in triumph (Ro 6:16, 19; 1Co 12:2); or, one "allured" (2Pe 2:18, 19). yet acquainting . . . wisdom—literally, "and my heart (still) was behaving, or guiding itself," with wisdom [GESENIUS]. MAURER translates: "was weary of (worldly) wisdom." But the end of Ec 2:9 confirms English Version. folly—namely, pleasures of the flesh, termed "mad," Ec 2:2. all the days, &c.—(See Margin and Ec 6:12; Job 15:20).4. (1Ki 7:1-8; 9:1, 19; 10:18, &c.).
vineyards— (So 8:11).5. gardens—Hebrew, "paradises," a foreign word; Sanskrit, "a place enclosed with a wall"; Armenian and Arabic, "a pleasure ground with flowers and shrubs near the king's house, or castle." An earthly paradise can never make up for the want of the heavenly (Re 2:7).
6. pools—artificial, for irrigating the soil (Ge 2:10; Ne 2:14; Isa 1:30). Three such reservoirs are still found, called Solomon's cisterns, a mile and a half from Jerusalem.
wood that bringeth forth—rather, "the grove that flourisheth with trees" [LOWTH].7. born in my house—These were esteemed more trustworthy servants than those bought (Ge 14:14; 15:2, 3; 17:12, 13, 27; Jer 2:14), called "songs of one's handmaid" (Ex 23:12; compare Ge 12:16; Job 1:3).
8. (1Ki 10:27; 2Ch 1:15; 9:20).
peculiar treasure of kings and . . . provinces—contributed by them, as tributary to him (1Ki 4:21, 24); a poor substitute for the wisdom whose "gain is better than fine gold" (Pr 3:14, 15). singers—so David (2Sa 19:35). musical instruments . . . of all sorts—introduced at banquets (Isa 5:12; Am 6:5, 6); rather, "a princess and princesses," from an Arabic root. One regular wife, or queen (Es 1:9); Pharaoh's daughter (1Ki 3:1); other secondary wives, "princesses," distinct from the "concubines" (1Ki 11:3; Ps 45:10; So 6:8) [WEISS, GESENIUS]. Had these been omitted, the enumeration would be incomplete.9. great—opulent (Ge 24:35; Job 1:3; see 1Ki 10:23).
remained— (Ec 2:3).10. my labour—in procuring pleasures.
this—evanescent "joy" was my only "portion out of all my labor" (Ec 3:22; 5:18; 9:9; 1Ki 10:5).11. But all these I felt were only "vanity," and of "no profit" as to the chief good. "Wisdom" (worldly common sense, sagacity), which still "remained with me" (Ec 2:9), showed me that these could not give solid happiness.