The Strand Study Bible

ECCLESIASTES 1:16

ECCLESIASTES 2:19

1009

9 So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: 11 also my wisdom remained with me. 10 And whatsoever mine eyes 12 desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. 11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. The futility of earthly wisdom 12 And I turnedmyself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done. 13 Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness. 14 The wise man’s eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that 14 one event happeneth to them all. 15 Thensaid I inmyheart,As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity. 16 For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool. 17 Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit. 18 Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: 15 because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. 19 And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise

16 I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten 1 more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. 17 2 And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to knowmadness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. 18 For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. 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 4 I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it? 3 I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life. 4 5 I made me great works; 6 I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards: 5 I made me gardens and orchards, and 7 I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits: 6 I made me pools of water, to water there- with the wood that bringeth forth trees: 7 8 I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me: 8 9 I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: 10 I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts. Indulgence and gaiety is vanity Date Written - c. 970 BC/AM 3030

1. I Ki 3:12 & 4:29-31 & II Chro 9:22 & Eccl 2:9 2. Eccl 7:25 3. Eccl 12:12 4. Prov 14:13 5. I Ki 9:15-19,23 6. I Ki 7:1-12 7. I Ki 10:11-12 8. I Ki 9:21 9. I Ki 9:11,14,28 & 10:2,10,14-29 10. I Ki 10:12 11. Rom 11:29 12. I Ki 9:1,11 Note - Mankind’s downfall is in his thinking. Like Solomon of old, man thinks he can never get enough of what he doesn’t need ( And whatsoever mine eyes desired ). 13. that is, “on earth” 14. that is, “death and the grave” - Eccl 6:6 & 9:2-3 & Heb 9:27 15. Psa 39:6 & 49:10

2:9 From the time God gave Solomon the gift of wisdom (I Ki 4:29-34) until his death (at the age of sixty), Solomon retained his God-given wisdom ( also my wisdom remained with me – Rom 11:29). A God-given gift is like a muscle. Although you can never lose it, you can lose the “use” of it by not exercising it. NOTE – There are five things we should know about our God-given spiritual gift(s): 1. The moment we got saved we were given at least one gift (talent – Mt 25:14 and I Cor 12:1-11) 2. Our gift is to be used to bring out the “spiritual worth” in people (Mt 25:15) 3. God will hold us accountable for if we used our gifts and how and/or how long we used them (Mt 25:16-19) 4. There isn’t one good reason (be it fear, sin, selfishness, laziness or ignorance) for not using our gifts (Mt 25:24-26) 5. We are not to misuse our gifts in order to increase our own status (Mt 25:27) Like Solomon, you can know your gift (Eccl 2:9), use your gift to help other people (I Ki 3:16-28), and even know that you’re going to be held accountable for the use of your gift (Eccl 12:14)... and still misuse your gift for selfish reasons. 2:12 The “ man ” here was probably Solomon’s son, Rehoboam (I Ki 11:43). Concerning life itself, Rehoboam would never figure out anymore than his father did. 2:18 Part of the vainness of trying to find fulfillment in material success is the fact that one must leave the fruit of his work to another who may well waste the accrued profits (vs 19 - And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? ).