Ecclesiastes 2

Ecclesiastes 2:14

14. The wise man’s eyes &c.] A wise man, looking around him, and before him, is cautious and well aware of danger, into which the fool, blinded with the sothish love of pleasure, falls rashly and inconsiderately. Yet, with all his circumspection, he is not able to avoid many calamities which are common to all mankind. Bp. Patrick.

Ecclesiastes 2:17

17. Therefore I hated life; &c.] I became quite out of love with this life, because the toil attending it is grievous; and yet, after all, it affords no solid or lasting satisfaction. Dr. Wells.

Ecclesiastes 2:18

18. — because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.] Solomon seems here to speak with a melancholy reflection on his own son Rehoboam. “Who knoweth,” he adds, “whether he shall be a wise man,

Ecclesiastes 2:20

20. Therefore I went about &c.] Therefore I bent my thoughts to do away all hope of any good issue to all my earthly labours and endeavours. Bp. Hall.

Ecclesiastes 2:24

24. There is nothing better for a man, &c.] He here teaches, that all the benefit of mere human labour is the moderate or sober enjoyment of what we have acquired by it. Dr. Wells. For the truth of which, he says in the next verse, you may rely on my experience. Bp. Patrick.

Chap. III. ver. 1. To every thing there is a season, &c.] Solomon proceeds to shew that the vicissitude of the seasons, and of all earthly things, teaches us that we should enjoy what we get, as well as labour to get it; and that it also adds to the vanity of all things connected with human life. Dr. Wells.

3. A time to kill, A time, whether in a just war, A season for every thing. God the judge of all.