Ecclesiastes 2:4

“I made me great works, etc.] He did not spend his time in trifling things, as Domitianf51, 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, (<111018>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 builded 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…”

“(Kg1 7:1-8; Kg1 9:1, Kg1 9:19; Kg1 10:18, &c.). vineyards-- (Sol 8:11).”

“Compare 1 Kings 7:1-12; 1 Kings 9:15-19; 1 Kings 10:14-27; and 2 Chronicles 8:4. return to 'Top of Page'”

“2:4-8 Solomon’s building achievements were as small as porches and gates and as large as entire cities (see 1 Kgs 9:15-19). These projects, meant primarily for his own pleasure, included the palace and its accompanying buildings (see 1 Kgs 7:1-12). 2:4 Solomon’s vineyards are mentioned in Song 8:11-12.”

“made: Gen 11:4; Sa2 18:18; Dan 4:30 I builded: Deu 8:12-14; Kg1 7:1, Kg1 7:2, Kg1 7:8-12, Kg1 9:1, Kg1 15:19, Kg1 10:19, Kg1 10:20; Ch2 8:1-6, Ch2 8:11; Psa 49:11 I planted: Ch1 27:27; Ch2 26:10; Sol 1:14, Sol 7:12, Sol 8:11, Sol 8:12; Isa 5:1 Ecclesiastes 2:5”

“"I undertook great works, built me houses, planted me vineyards. I made me gardens and parks, and planted therein all kinds of fruit-trees. I made me water-pools to water therewith a forest bringing forth trees." The expression, "I made great my works," is like Ecc 1:16; the verb contains the adj. as its obj. The love of wisdom, a sense of the beautiful in nature and art, a striving after splendour and dignity, are fundamental traits in Solomon's character. His reign was a period of undisturbed and assured peace. The nations far and near stood in manifold friendly relations with him. Solomon was "the man of rest," Ch1 22:9; his whole appearance was as it were the embodied glory itself that…”