John Gill Commentary Ecclesiastes 2:5

"I made me gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit;" — Ecclesiastes 2:5 (ASV)

I made me gardens and orchards
Of the king's garden, we read (Jeremiah 39:4) . Adrichomius ^F2 makes mention of a royal garden in the suburbs of Jerusalem, fenced with walls; and was a paradise of fruit trees, herbs, spices, and flowers; abounded with all kind of fruit, exceeding pleasant and delightful to the senses: and, as Solomon was so great a botanist, and knew the nature and use of all kinds of trees and herbs, (1 Kings 4:33) ; no doubt but he has a herbal garden, well stocked with everything of that kind, curious and useful; see (1 Kings 21:2) . Gardens are made for pleasure as well as profit; Adam, as soon as created, was put into a garden, to add to his natural pleasure and felicity, as well as for his employment, (Genesis 2:8) ; and the pleasure of walking in a garden, and partaking of the fruits of it, are alluded to by Solomon, (Song of Solomon 4:12Song of Solomon 4:13Song of Solomon 4:16) (5:1) (6:9) ;

and I planted trees in them of all [kind of] fruits ;
which, as before observed, he had thorough knowledge of, and many of which were brought him from foreign parts; and all served to make his gardens, orchards, parks, forests, and enclosures, very pleasant and delectable. The Targum adds, ``some for food, others for drink, and others for medicine.''

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FOOTNOTES:

• F2: Theatrum Terrae Sanctae, p. 170.