Albert Barnes Commentary Ecclesiastes 2

Solomon’s trial of God’s second gift, namely, riches, and the enjoyment which riches supply; this brought him to the sane result .

Comparing Solomon’s action with Luke 12:16-21, it must be remembered that Solomon’s object was the acquisition of wisdom, not self-indulgence, and that he did not fail to look forward to the certainty of death overtaking him.

I sought ... - Rather, I resolved (literally “I turned in my heart”) to draw my flesh with wine (see the margin), my heart guiding me with wisdom. In the course of his attempt to answer the question of Ecclesiastes 1:3, while his heart was directing him (as a charioteer directs his horses or a shepherd his sheep) with wisdom, and while he was following that guidance, he determined to draw with him his flesh by wine, thus making his flesh, which he speaks of as distinct from himself , a confederate and subsidiary in his attempt.

Compare 1 Kings 7:1–12; 1 Kings 9:15–19; 1 Kings 10:14–27; and 2 Chronicles 8:4.

Orchards - literally, “paradises,” that is, parks or pleasure-grounds (compare Nehemiah 2:8 note). Indications of at least three of these have been pointed out; one at Jerusalem near the pool of Siloam, called “the king’s garden” (Nehemiah 3:15; Jeremiah 52:7); a second near Bethlehem ; and a third in the remote north, on the heights of Hermon (Song of Solomon 4:8; Song of Solomon 8:11).

Pools — A short distance south of Bethlehem, in a valley in the defile of Urtas, three “Pools of Solomon” are still shown and an adjoining hill still bears the name of the “Little Paradise.”