Ecclesiastes 2

Ecclesiastes 2:1

I Will prove thee with mirth] Solomon maketh this discourse with himself, purposing to try whether there were full contentment in ease and pleasures.

Ecclesiastes 2:3

I sought in mine heart to give my self unto wine] Chap. 1. 17.

to give my self unto wine] Heb. to draw my flesh with wine.

yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom] Albeit I gave my self outwardly to pleasures, yet I thought to keep wisdom, and the fear of God in mine heart, and govern mine affairs by the same.

all the dayes of their life] Heb. the number of the dayes of their life.

Ecclesiastes 2:6

to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth tree] It seems his orchard was very large, more like a wood, then an orchard.

Ecclesiastes 2:7

I got me servants and maidens] Or, I bought. That is, some I bought for money, and some I had born of them in the house.

servants born in my house] Heb. sons of my house.

Ecclesiastes 2:8

I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces] 1 Kin. 9. 28. and 10. 10, 14, 21, &c.

the peculiar treasure of kings] The choise things, that each kingdom and province could afford.

musicall instruments] Heb. musicall instrument and instruments.

Ecclesiastes 2:9

also my wisdom remained with me] I kept my self upright still, verse 3.

Ecclesiastes 2:10

this was my portion of all my labour] All that I had of my labours, was a little pleasure in eating and drinking: and this also was vanity, verse 11.

Ecclesiastes 2:11

vanitie and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun] Chap. 1. 3.

Ecclesiastes 2:12

And I turned my self to behold wisdom] I considered with my self, whether it were better to follow wisdom still, or to turn aside to what mine own affections and pleasures might lead me to.

and madnesse and folly] Chap. 1. 17. and 7. 25.

for what can the man do, that cometh after the king?] I despaired, that either I, or any man after me, should finde felicity in outward things, for who can do more to attain to i, then I did, and yet I missed it.

even that which hath been already done] Or, in those things which have been already done.

Ecclesiastes 2:13

that wisdom excelleth folly] Heb. that there is an excellency in wisdom more then in folly, &c.

Ecclesiastes 2:14

The wise mans eyes are in his head] Proverbs 17:24. Chap. 8. 1. He foreseeth things which the fool cannot for lack of wisdom.

and I my self perceived also] Or, yet I perceived. I saw indeed worldly wisdom might help a man in guiding his affairs, but yet they that have it must die, and be forgotten, verse 16. and leave their goods to another, yea, to one, he knows not whom, verse 19. and this also is vanitie.

Ecclesiastes 2:15

happeneth even to me] Heb. happeneth to me, even to me.

why was I then more wise?] What good will my wisdom do me? It cannot keep from death: or, why do I labour to get more wisdom in things naturall, and politicall?

Ecclesiastes 2:16

For there is no remembrance of the wise more then of the fool for ever] In this world wise men are forgotten, when they are dead, as well as fools.

seeing that which now is, in the dayes to come shall all be forgotten] Or, seeing that which hath been before, the dayes are come that it is all forgotten. That is, seeing our successours will forget us, as well as we have forgotten our predecessours.

Ecclesiastes 2:17

Therefore I hated life] Which others count so sweet and pleasant.

is] Or, was.

Ecclesiastes 2:18

taken] Heb. laboured.

because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me] Psalms 49:10. Because I cannot enjoy it all, nor alwayes, nor be sure to leave it to one that will use it well, when I am gone.

Ecclesiastes 2:20

to despair of all the labour] Of attaining felicity by worldly labour, and so to give it over.

Ecclesiastes 2:21

and in equitie] That is, hath dealt justly, and not gotten riches by deceit.

yet to a man that hath not laboured therein] Among other griefs, this is not the least, That another shall without pains enjoy that which we have laboured for, and so we are drudges for others, Job 14:21. Psalms 39:6.

leave] Heb. give.

Ecclesiastes 2:22

For what hath man of all his labour] Chap. 1. 3. and 3. 9. When he dies.

Ecclesiastes 2:23

all his dayes are sorrows, and his travel grief] Psalms 90:10. Job 14:1.

Ecclesiastes 2:24

There is nothing better for a man, then that he should eat and drink] Chap. 3. 12, 13, 22. and 5. 18. and 8. 15.

that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour] When man hath laboured all he can, he can get no more then food and refreshing: yet he confesseth also, That this cometh of Gods blessing, as chap. 3. 13.

should make his soul enjoy good] Or, delight his senses.

Ecclesiastes 2:25

For who can eat] I speak it by experience, for God gave me outward things to take pleasure in, and a heart to take comfort of them.

Ecclesiastes 2:26

For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight, wisdom] For God useth to deal so with his servants, Psalms 127:2.

in his sight] Heb. before him.

he may give to him that is good before God] Job 27:17.

This also is vanitie and vexation of spirit] For a wicked man to labour for others.