John Gill Commentary Ecclesiastes 2:4

"I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards;" — Ecclesiastes 2:4 (ASV)

I made me great works
He did not spend his time in trifling things, as Domitian ^F1, in catching and killing flies; but in devising, designing, directing, and superintending great works of art and skill, becoming the grandeur of his state, and the greatness of his mind: the Midrash restrains it to his great throne of ivory, overlaid with gold, (1 Kings 10:18), but it is a general expression, including all the great things he did, of which the following is a particular enumeration.

I built me houses; among which must not be reckoned the house of God, though that was built by him, and in the first place; yet this was built, not for his own pleasure and grandeur, but for the worship and glory of God: but his own house and palace is chiefly meant, which was thirteen years in building; and the house of the forest in Lebanon, which perhaps was his country seat; with all other houses and offices, for his stores, for his servants, his horsemen, and chariots; see (1 Kings 7:1 1 Kings 7:2) (1 Kings 9:1 1 Kings 9:19); and in fine spacious buildings men take a great deal of pleasure, and promise themselves much happiness in dwelling in them, and in perpetuating their names to posterity by them; see (Psalms 49:11) (Job 21:21). The Targum is, "I multiplied good works in Jerusalem; I built me houses; the house of the sanctuary, to make atonement for Israel; the king's house of refreshment, and the conclave and porch; and the house of judgment, of hewn stones, where the wise men sit and do judgment; I made a throne of ivory for the royal seat;"

I planted me vineyards; perhaps those at Engedi were of his planting; however, he had one at Baalhamon, and no doubt in other places, (Song of Solomon 1:14) (8:11); the Targum makes mention of one at Jabne, planted by him; these also add to the pleasure of human life; it is delightful to walk in them, to gather the fruit and drink of the wine of them; see (Song of Solomon 7:12).

---

FOOTNOTES:

• F1: Sueton. Vit. Domitian. c. 3. Aurel. Victor. De. Caesar. & Epitome.