9 So I was great, H1431 and increased H3254 more than all that were before H6440 me in Jerusalem: H3389 also my wisdom H2451 remained H5975 with me.
And the LORD H3068 magnified H1431 Solomon H8010 exceedingly H4605 in the sight H5869 of all Israel, H3478 and bestowed H5414 upon him such royal H4438 majesty H1935 as had not been on any king H4428 before H6440 him in Israel. H3478
I communed H1696 with mine own heart, H3820 saying, H559 Lo, I am come to great estate, H1431 and have gotten H3254 more wisdom H2451 than all they that have been before H6440 me in Jerusalem: H3389 yea, my heart H3820 had great H7235 experience H7200 of wisdom H2451 and knowledge. H1847
Behold, I have done H6213 according to thy words: H1697 lo, I have given H5414 thee a wise H2450 and an understanding H995 heart; H3820 so that there was none like thee before H6440 thee, neither after H310 thee shall any arise H6965 like unto thee.
And king H4428 Solomon H8010 passed H1431 all the kings H4428 of the earth H776 in riches H6239 and wisdom. H2451 And all the kings H4428 of the earth H776 sought H1245 the presence H6440 of Solomon, H8010 to hear H8085 his wisdom, H2451 that God H430 had put H5414 in his heart. H3820
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Ecclesiastes 2
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 2 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 2
Solomon having pronounced all vanity, and particularly knowledge and learning, which he was so far from giving himself joy of that he found the increase of it did but increase his sorrow, in this chapter he goes on to show what reason he has to be tired of this world, and with what little reason most men are fond of it.
Ecc 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 noble pleasures of the intellect to the brutal ones of sense; yet, if he resolve to make a thorough trial, he must knock at this door, because here a great part of mankind imagine they have found that which he was in quest of.
Ecc 2:12-16
Solomon having tried what satisfaction was to be had in learning first, and then in the pleasures of sense, and having also put both together, here compares them one with another and passes a judgment upon them.
Ecc 2:17-26
Business is a thing that wise men have pleasure in. They are in their element when they are in their business, and complain if they be out of business. They may sometimes be tired with their business, but they are not weary of it, nor willing to leave it off. Here therefore one would expect to have found the good that men should do, but Solomon tried this too; after a contemplative life and a voluptuous life, he betook himself to an active life, and found no more satisfaction in it than in the other; still it is all vanity and vexation of spirit, of which he gives an account in these verses, where observe,