I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy what is good!” But it proved to be futile.
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...
Commenting on Ecclesiastes 2:1-11
I said in mine heart,.... He communed with his heart, he thought and reasoned within himself, and came to this resolution in his own mind; that since he could not find happiness in natural wisdom and knowledge, he would seek for it elsewhere, even in pleasure; in which, he observed, some men placed their happiness; or, however, sought for it there: or, "I said to...
I said in my heart, Come now, I will tempt thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also [is] vanity. (a) Solomon makes this discourse with himself, as though he would try whether there was contentment in ease and pleasures.