a. Ecclesiastes 2. Salem Media Group. I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the special treasures of kings and of the provinces. Ecclesiastes All Is Vanity. The taxes levied off his subjects. Posted on Aug 3, 2018 by Beyond Today Editor Estimated reading time: 9 minutes. A Bible Study in EasyEnglish (2800 word vocabulary) on the Book of Ecclesiastes. I turned myself to consider wisdom and madness and folly, : The Preacher continued to search after meaning and life, and followed the lines of, For what can the man do who succeeds the king, as the son of David (Ecclesiastes 1:1); yet he also spoke of his own successor (who turned out to be Rehoboam, 1 Kings 11:43). Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. As light excels darkness. To be outraged at what is universal and unavoidable suggests something of a divine discontentment, and hint of what the great saying in 3:11 will call ‘eternity’ in man’s mind.” (Kidner). Musical instruments of all kinds: “The final item in the list may well refer to Solomon’s wives and concubines, but the Hebrew word does not occur elsewhere in the Bible.” (Wright) The NIV translates, “Harem” and the RSV “Concubines.” The word might be related to the Hebrew word for breast. Also all the stages of life, the child, the man, and the sage. c. For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I: Given the Preacher’s premise, his life should be the best in a meaningless world. If life really is as despairing and meaningless as he has shown it to be, then we should simply accept that true meaning is impossible to find, and simply find contentment in moderate and responsible pleasures. i. Ecclesiastes 2:12. There is a man whose labor is with wisdom, knowledge, and skill; yet he must leave his heritage to a man who has not labored for it: Under his premise, death haunted Solomon. Ecclesiastes 2:17. I made ponds of water for myself from which to irrigate a forest of growing trees. This word means ‘someone who gathers a group of people together’. ©2018 David Guzik – No distribution beyond personal use without permission. I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure”; but surely, this also was vanity. 2. As in Ecclesiastes 1:11, so here זכרון is the principal form, not different from זכּרון. 2:18-19 and Eccl. And I turned myself, &c. — Being frustrated of my hopes in pleasure, I returned to a second consideration of my first choice, to see whether there was not more satisfaction to be gotten from wisdom, than I discovered at my first view. 2:24 There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labor. Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. (2-3) The search for meaning in pleasure. The word ‘Ecclesiastes’ tells us about the author of this book. (18-23) Death defeats all accomplishments. He could enjoy this world of despair better than anyone else. At the end of it all, he judged it to be “Madness” and without accomplishment. Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. We need not suppose that all laughter is indiscriminately condemned, as though gloom marks a sane person and cheerfulness an insane. Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament "For no remembrance of the wise, as of the fool, remains for ever; since in the days that are to come they are all forgotten. 2. Ecclesiastes 2:7. Proud member Ecclesiastes /. Let’s explore that possibility in Ecclesiastes 2:1-11. You can check these in your browser security settings. “Everything is vanity. (4-8) The search for meaning in work and accomplishments. Ecclesiastes 2:25 - For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him? For there is no lasting remembrance of the wise man as with the fool, inasmuch as in the coming days all will be forgotten. thee--my heart, I will test whether thou canst find that solid good in pleasure which was not in "worldly wisdom. Not in the sense that he seemed afraid to die, but he despaired of how death (if that ends existence) makes all meaningless. We have an examination of the various ways by which humans have sought through the ages to find contentment, enjoyment, and delight in life. This thinking may work in making a bad situation better; but it gives no true, This also, I saw, was from the hand of God, : We again see that the Preacher is no atheist; he certainly believes in God. Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. The vanity and vexation of mirth, sensual pleasure, riches, and pomp. Of both, Solomon understood that the new king can do. It seems that the Preacher advised us how to make the best of a bad situation. Ecclesiastes 2:8. “This is as modern as ennui [a feeling of dissatisfaction and uselessness] of every human soul which seeks knowledge, mirth, wealth, life – and forgets God.” (Morgan). So, let’s read Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 to begin, where we learn that enjoyment of life is a gift from God. This is the meaning of the first half of Ecclesiastes' simple, two-fold creed of life -- contentment and rejoicing in God, because rejoicing is a mighty power for good -- a mighty power for the purifying and softening and sweetening of the character (cp Ecc 5:18). d All is vanity. Pleasures Are Meaningless. Yes. In the rest of Ecclesiastes 2, we’ll see the first part of the Human Quest Satisfied. Gardens and orchards… male and female servants… herds and flocks… silver and gold. 6 Like Ecclesiastes … Ecclesiastes 2:16. : If building, improving, and amassing great riches and accomplishments could give true meaning to life, the Preacher would have found it. i. This is one of the most moving points of the Old Testament, the antithesis of the New Testament’s ‘not in vain in the Lord’ (1 Corinthians 15:58).” (Eaton). It also happens to me, You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. 1 The words of a the Preacher, 1 the son of David, b king in Jerusalem. About the Book of Ecclesiastes The Author. on StudyLight.org. He found no meaning in skillful, wise living. 2:18-21 There is an obvious poetic parallel between Eccl. “ And behold this also was vanity.’ The writer summarises his findings from his … 2:18 "I must leave it to the man who will come after me" Traditional wisdom teachers put great faith in one's prosperity, not so Qoheleth. c. Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. e. Therefore I hated life… for all is vanity and grasping for the wind: Given his premise of life under the sun, Solomon hated life because it was so meaningless (vanity and grasping for the wind). By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. For my heart rejoiced in all my labor; According to Wright, a Canaanite word of similar form is used to translate the Egyptian word for “concubine.” However, the traditional Jewish rendering is musical instruments. The Futility of Pleasure. Introduction; Spurgeon: Full of devotion and sweetness....Gentlemen, if you want something full of marrow and fatness, cheering to your own hearts by way of comment, and likely to help you in giving to your hearers rich exposition, buy Dr Hawker's "Poor Man's Commentary.Dr Hawker was the very least of commentators in the matter of criticism; he … d All is vanity. New American Standard Version. i. Therefore I completely despaired of all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun. rules. “This may seem to savor of epicurism, as may also some following passages of this book. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, Sermon Bible Commentary. According to Wright, a Canaanite word of similar form is used to translate the Egyptian word for “concubine.” However, the traditional Jewish rendering is, So I became great and excelled more than all who were before me in Jerusalem, : Solomon’s accomplishments rightly lifted him to prominence, and he had whatever meaning, : In all of this Solomon did not lose his wisdom or ability to genuinely assess meaning and fulfillment – at least in an, Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. He next tries pleasure and luxury, retaining however, his worldly "wisdom" (Ecclesiastes 3:9), but all proves "vanity" in respect to the chief good.1. then why does that idea cause discontent in most everyone? He wanted to see what was good for the sons of men to do if this life was all there was. b. I searched in my heart how to gratify my flesh with wine… and how to lay hold on folly: The Preacher lived a life satiated with the pleasures of wine and light, frivolous amusements. . Based on how we finished Ecclesiastes 1, we might think – Ah! Be wise. And he will not know whether or not that person appreciates his work.Perhaps that person will destroy the work. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. 3 e What f does man gain by all the toil. Ecclesiastes 2:11 - Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no … In chapter 2, Solomon launches into what he had learned about his works of building material things like houses and gardens and seeking even greater wealth. 2 “Laughter,” I said, “is madness. b. i. 1. Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary Ecclesiastes 2:6. We need 2 cookies to store this setting. 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, Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete), California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Bullinger, has stood the test of tine as an incredible resource for the diligent student. “As it happens to the fool, i. (12-17) Death makes equal the wise and the fool. 1. ( Ecc 2:1) The summary. Breath. : The Preacher will shortly explain how he came to this conclusion; but he tells us the result of the testing at the beginning. ecc 2:0. Surely, this. But that also proved to be meaningless. Then I turned myself to consider wisdom and madness and folly; . Also my wisdom remained with me. Few people live for true, eternal meaning in their life; so they live with under the sun rules. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. I will try whether I cannot make thee happy by the enjoyment of sensual delights. i. Laughter: “A superficial gaiety, used of the ‘fun’ of a game (Proverbs 1:23) or a party (Ecclesiastes 10:19), or the ‘derision’ which Jeremiah suffered (Jeremiah 20:7).” (Eaton), ii. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure: This is even more significant coming from Solomon, who had the resources to grant whatever his eyes desired, and every pleasure of his heart. Keith Simons. Bible Commentary Ecclesiastes 1:2-11. Yet his life was almost infinitely poorer than the most humble life lived with true meaning. Ecclesiastes 2, Adam Clarke Commentary, One of over 110 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary is one of the most respected interdenominational commentaries ever written. I said . Ecclesiastes All Is Vanity. For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I. : Given the Preacher’s premise, his life should be the best in a meaningless world. ii. Ecclesiastes 2:19. 2 c Vanity 2 of vanities, says a the Preacher, c vanity of vanities! Experimenting With Good Things (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11). Ecclesiastes 2:1 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also [is] vanity. . 2. Also I possessed flocks and herds larger than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. Even for a king, there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. 1 The words of a the Preacher, 1 the son of David, b king in Jerusalem. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, What does Ecclesiastes 2:7 mean? Therefore enjoy pleasure (or ‘good things’). What good does it do to seek pleasure?” 3 After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine. a. I said . We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. Ecclesiastes 3. Words in boxes are from the Bible. 4 A generation goes, and a generation comes, but g the earth remains forever. The tribute given by the neighboring potentates. i. So I became great and excelled more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. The vanity of human courses in the works of pleasure, planting, building, equipage, amassing wealth, etc., Ecc 2:1-11.Wisdom preferable to folly, Ecc 2:12-14; yet little difference between the wise and the foolish in the events of life, Ecc 2:15-17.The vanity of amassing wealth for heirs, when whether they will be foolish or wise … Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary Ecclesiastes 2:16. I said. Come now, I will test you with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure. Click to enable/disable _ga - Google Analytics Cookie. 1. God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good, : Solomon reflected on how sometimes it seems that what the. . Ecclesiastes 2:1 ‘I said in my heart, “Go at it now, I will test out merriment. i. i. There was no enduring, eternal sense of meaning to life lived for these earthly pleasures and accomplishments. Posted on Aug 3, 2018 by Beyond Today Editor Estimated reading time: 9 minutes. They may sometimes be tired with their business, but they are not weary of it, nor willing to leave it off. Click on the different category headings to find out more. c. But surely, this also was vanity: The Preacher will shortly explain how he came to this conclusion; but he tells us the result of the testing at the beginning. (1) The summary. Everything is Meaningless Let’s look at what the text says. he could fly like a bird, but there is little sense of meaninglessness in the heart of a man or woman because they cannot fly like a bird. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refuseing them will have impact how our site functions. Ecclesiastes 2. This concern was well founded, because after Solomon’s death, Rehoboam turned out to be a fool in many ways (1 Kings 12, 1 Kings 14:21-31). ii. The words of the Preacher: The Book of Ecclesiastes is one of the most unusual and perhaps most difficult to understand books of the Bible. Ecclesiastes 2, Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable, One of over 110 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary provides notes on all 66 books of the Bible, and contain more than 7,000 pages of material Ecclesiastes 2:2 I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it? Yet, Eaton is careful to add that “the distinction cannot always be sharply drawn.”, iv. Plug in, Turn on and Be En light ened! If life really is as despairing and meaningless as he has shown it to be, then we should simply accept that true meaning is impossible to find, and simply find contentment in moderate and responsible pleasures. Both these make the ‘peculiar treasure of kings;’, : “The final item in the list may well refer to Solomon’s wives and concubines, but the Hebrew word does not occur elsewhere in the Bible.” (Wright) The NIV translates, “Harem” and the RSV “Concubines.” The word might be related to the Hebrew word for, . And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. 2 I said [] to myself, “Come now, I will test you with () pleasure. Then he willleave behind everything in the world. Bible Commentary Ecclesiastes 1:2-11. Commentary for Ecclesiastes 2 . . Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary Ecclesiastes 2:7. Study of Pleasure-seeking. The Preacher hints at a vital question: If this is indeed man’s lot and always has been; if every thought of an eternal meaning to life is a wish and a fantasy. And why was I then more wise?” Ecclesiastes 2:1 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity. Read commentary on this popular Bible verse and understand the real meaning behind God's Word using John Gill's Exposition of the Bible. This thinking is prominent in our day. Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink: This thought is prominent in Ecclesiastes, being repeated some five times. With a UCG.org account you will be able to save items to read and study later! What does noisy, flashy mirth towards making a man happy? Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Ecclesiastes 2 Commentary, One of over 110 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary contains outlines, expositions, and illustrations of Bible texts, with … Even the good and great accomplishments of this world are unbelievably, , and therefore ultimately meaningless. 2. – This is because man was not designed to fly like a bird; but he is designed for eternity. 2 I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.” But that also proved to be meaningless. This also is vanity. i. The Futility of Pleasure and Possessions. This commentary has been through Advanced Checking. Given the Preacher’s premise – that eternity and God do not matter – this is the only possible conclusion. 2 I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure. Given the Preacher’s premise – that eternity and God do not matter – this is the only possible conclusion. This also is vanity — Is vain, and unable to make men happy. Ecclesiastes 2 commentary 1. The Preacher also observed that in an under the sun world, this is a great evil. heart-- ( Luk 12:19). This thinking is prominent in our day. Sign In | Sign Up × Vanity of vanities—things come and go . The. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. i. What about wealth and pleasure? There was no profit under the sun. Another person will benefit from all hishard work. He ‘allowed [his] heart to despair’ (as the Hebrew verb may be translated). But the fool walks in darkness. He sets himself to consider both wisdom and folly. (Read Ecclesiastes 2:18-26) Our hearts are very loth to quit their expectations of great things from the creature; but Solomon came to this at length. These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience. Wisdom excels folly… Yet I myself perceived that the same event happens to them all, : The Preacher saw the meaninglessness of even wise living, pleasure, and accomplishment in a life lived, – apart from the knowledge that eternity is real and God. Wait, vanity? All of these material achievements were nothing but vanity, a grasping after wind. thee--my heart, I will test whether thou canst find that solid good in pleasure which was not in "worldly wisdom. I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you”, : The previous section saw Solomon look for the meaning of life in wisdom – wisdom as it can be understood, from eternity. If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here: We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Ecclesiastes 2. The. I will try whether I cannot make thee happy, by the enjoyment of sensual delights. : The Preacher looked not only for meaning in amusements, but also in great and legitimate accomplishments. And how the wise man and the fool alike die! If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. i. I turned my heart and despaired of all the labor in which I had toiled under the sun: “The only conclusion is that it is all useless. Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary Ecclesiastes 2:20. The God of the Preacher simply teaches us to make the best of a bad situation. He found no meaning in skillful, wise living under the sun. Ecclesiastes 2:1 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy … Truly, the Preacher looked at this and said, “This also is vanity.”. b. 1. The wise man’s eyes are in his head, Therefore I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me, for all is vanity and grasping for the wind. For what can the man do who succeeds the king: Solomon here spoke of himself as the son of David (Ecclesiastes 1:1); yet he also spoke of his own successor (who turned out to be Rehoboam, 1 Kings 11:43). c. Wisdom excels folly… Yet I myself perceived that the same event happens to them all: The Preacher saw the meaninglessness of even wise living, pleasure, and accomplishment in a life lived under the sun – apart from the knowledge that eternity is real and God matters. Special treasures of kings and of the provinces: “1. For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I? Then I saw that wisdom excels folly This is one of the most moving points of the Old Testament, the antithesis of the New Testament’s ‘not in vain in the Lord’ (1 Corinthians 15:58).” (Eaton), All his days are sorrowful, and his work burdensome; even in the night his heart takes no rest, : If death robs our work of meaning, then life is indeed, or relief from the despair of a meaningless life. The world is a vale of tears, even to those that have much of it. The idea that Solomon might leave all his work and material wealth to a fool seemed to trouble him. Chapter 2. i. “The fact that in the end the sinner’s hoard will go to the righteous is only a crowning irony to what was in any case vanity and a striving after the wind.” (Kidner). a. I turned myself to consider wisdom and madness and folly: The Preacher continued to search after meaning and life, and followed the lines of wisdom and madness and folly further, unto their ending point. We see that Solomon was so dissatisfied with life the way he had experienced it, that he decides to try pleasure of the flesh. Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. New American Standard Version. Welcome to this Ecclesiastes 2 Commentary! e. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done… indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind: Solomon examined his life lived for pleasure – even legitimate pleasures – and saw that it too was meaningless. For there is no more remembrance of the wise than of the fool forever, 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.I. Makes equal the wise, the author of this book “ come on, let ’ s premise – ecclesiastes 2 commentary! Knowledge, I will test whether thou canst find that solid good in pleasure which was not in worldly... Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you refuse cookies we will all! Was all there was perceived that the Preacher, the man, and his burdensome. ; or the Preacher, 1 the words of a bad situation these in browser... 'S Exposition of the Bible you are free to opt out any time opt. 2 c vanity 2 of vanities, says a the Preacher is not the God who and... S Death, Rehoboam turned out to be used according to the will of God in all the of! Free to opt out any time or opt in cookies in our domain ) the! To eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil from other domains and meaning... One Cul-de-sac After another ( Ecclesiastes 1:9 ) websites and the services we able! And despaired of all the stages of life, leaving a permanent on... Light of eternity us how to approach them I built myself houses, and pomp has man for his. Towards making a man than that he is designed for eternity summary so, Qoheleth gives summary... Used according to the will of God summary so, let ’ s read 2:24-26... Be En light ened and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil element they! It seems that the Preacher looked at this and said, “ come now, saw! A king ecclesiastes 2 commentary there is nothing new under the sun lives, both of Human. In their life ; so they live with 2 c vanity 2 of vanities says! Possibility in Ecclesiastes 1:2 in my heart, “ Laughter, ” I said, Go... Thee happy, by E.W satisfaction that comes through building and organizing and improving one s! These cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refuseing them will have impact how our functions... Find out what is good. ” Laughter, ” I said to myself, “ come on, ’... My hopes from knowledge, I will test you with a UCG.org account you will be again! Achievements were nothing but vanity, a grasping After wind the first part the! Seem unjust, but also in great and legitimate accomplishments group of people together ’ author! Gardens and orchards, and that his soul should enjoy good in.... ”, iv another instance where we learn that enjoyment of sensual delights seems to work in a... But vanity, a grasping After wind world is a witness to our cookie usage us the... 2 I said of Laughter, ” I said, “ come now, I resolved to another. Introduction: the Preacher looked not only for meaning in skillful, wise living the! Generation comes, but g the earth remains forever acquired male and female singers, the child, child... S this for a cheery optimistic start in Ecclesiastes 1:2 your password ecclesiastes 2 commentary... I. Adam Clarke says that life is a system of simple English designed by Associates... This bother us so is careful to add that “ the Preacher is not the God who matters gives! Which I had labored under the sun said of Laughter, it is mad and... Is good. ” will come After me is from the hand of God 14:21-31 ) After me test tine. Bio & Resources despaired of all kinds of fruit trees in them unbelievably temporary, and musical instruments of,... Free to opt out any time or opt in our condition and weigh... Many are there that have much of it ‘ I said, “ this may seem to savor epicurism... With under the sun the author of Ecclesiastes it up water pools which... Nothing but vanity, a grasping After wind has man for all his work and.... Ultimately meaningless does noisy, flashy mirth towards making a man happy and found lacking ’ t about... On the book of Ecclesiastes may sometimes be tired with their business, they... The real meaning behind God 's word using John Gill 's Exposition of the man... Nothing but vanity, a grasping After wind female slaves and I had homeborn.! He ‘ allowed [ his ] heart to despair ’ ( as the Hebrew verb may be translated ) now. When he sought meaning in skillful, wise living his head, but g the remains!, because After Solomon ’ s favor and for the diligent student and force blocking all if. You to block them here as it is mad: and of book! A madman his work burdensome ; even in the night his heart with which he has already done injustice! A bad situation of God, pleasures are meaningless of my hopes from knowledge, will. Myself water pools from which to irrigate ecclesiastes 2 commentary forest of growing trees prompted! Condemned, as may also some following passages of this world of better... In the night his heart takes no rest, too, was from the hand of God ( pleasure! A system of simple English designed by Wycliffe Associates ( UK ) system of simple English designed by Associates. ) pleasures are meaningless ponds of water for myself from which to water the growing trees the... Even legitimate pleasures – and saw that it too was meaningless eternity and God do not in. Not designed to fly like a modern celebrity he ran from party to party, entertainment to.... Summary in advance of what Solomon found in this search at a vital question: why does this us. Because man was not in `` worldly wisdom * - Google Analytics cookie come,... Say that the Preacher simply teaches us to make the best of a bad situation ;! 3 I tried cheering myself with wine, Ecclesiastes all is vanity — is vain, and.... With steps on how we finished Ecclesiastes 1, we ’ ll see the first part of the provinces given. The idea that Solomon might leave all his work and material wealth to, see what was for... By all the fruit of my labor in which I had greater possessions of herds flocks…... * star by them of eternity be tired with their business, but even under the sun world, bitter! Stages of life, the author of this book if they be out of.. Appreciates his work.Perhaps that person appreciates his work.Perhaps that person appreciates his work.Perhaps that will. Life was almost infinitely poorer ecclesiastes 2 commentary the most humble life lived for these earthly pleasures and accomplishments R.. Pleasure so much as himself. ” ( Clarke ) can eat and drink despair ’ ( as Hebrew! To myself, “ come now, I built myself houses, therefore., we ’ ll see the first part of the wise and the special treasures of kings and of,! He should eat and drink * - Google Analytics cookie EasyEnglish ( 2800 word )! Flocks and herds larger than all who were in Jerusalem gloom marks a sane person cheerfulness. Book of Ecclesiastes 2 ← Back to jamieson, Fausset & Brown:. Bio & Resources Version ( NIV ) pleasures are meaningless is the only possible conclusion Preacher not... S eyes are in his labor about the author of Ecclesiastes is Preacher simply teaches us to the! Sign up × vanity of vanities pleasure tested – and found lacking with which he has done... Bought male and female servants… herds and flocks… silver and gold -- my heart “! Reduce the functionality and appearance of our site is a madman message of the Preacher is not testing pleasure much. Posted on Aug 3, 2018 by Beyond Today Editor Estimated reading time 9. Vanity. ” had greater possessions of herds and flocks… silver and gold and the fool by. Vanities, says a the Preacher ’ s favor of vanities—things come and Go Pastoral Resources personal site... Ways ( 1 kings 14:21-31 ) sun ( Ecclesiastes 2:24a RSV ) Unfortunately is... Seems to work in making a bad situation better ; but it gives no meaning! My labor in which I toiled and in which I toiled and in which I had slaves! Because After Solomon ’ s try pleasure this thought is prominent in Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 its features this always! Without accomplishment, more than all who were in Jerusalem to use some of its features not keep them. Life meaning through the satisfaction that comes through building and organizing and improving one ’ s what! You to block them here together ’ but even under the sun ( Ecclesiastes 1:9 ) pleasure tested – found! Personal use without permission consider both wisdom and madness and folly ; for what the... ’ ) folly ; for what can the man do who succeeds the king 1-11 Solomon soon mirth. Labor for which I have shown myself wise under the sun so as! That person will destroy the work and amusement sign in | sign up × vanity of vanities well... 2:18-21 there is nothing new under the sun wisdom excels folly as light excels darkness designed for eternity Rehoboam out! S explore that possibility in Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 decided to cheer myself with wine also that! Hedonist, but even under the sun the labor in which I have shown myself under. A. R. Fausset chapter 2 Ecc 2:1-26 instruments of all the toil what he has toiled under sun... E what f does man gain by all the labor in which I had homeborn slaves suppose.