Ecclesiastes 2:8

“I gathered me also silver and gold, etc.] In great quantities: the weight of gold which came to him in one year was six hundred threescore and six talents; (see <110914>1 Kings 9:14,28 10:14,22, 27); and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces; whatsoever was valuable and precious, such as is laid up in the cabinets of kings, as jewels and precious stones; and everything rare and curious, to be found in all provinces of the earth, or which were brought from thence as presents to him; the Targum is, “and the treasures of kings and provinces, given to me for tribute:” wherefore, if any pleasure arises from these things, as do to the virtuosi, Solomon enjoyed it. Moreover, among the…”

“(Kg1 10:27; Ch2 1:15; Ch2 9:20). peculiar treasure of kings and . . . provinces--contributed by them, as tributary to him (Kg1 4:21, Kg1 4:24); a poor substitute for the wisdom whose "gain is better than fine gold" (Pro 3:14-15). singers--so David (Sa2 19:35). musical instruments . . . of all sorts--introduced at banquets (Isa 5:12; Amo 6:5-6); rather, "a princess and princesses," from an Arabic root. One regular wife, or queen (Est 1:9); Pharaoh's daughter (Kg1 3:1); other secondary wives, "princesses," distinct from the "concubines" (Kg1 11:3; Psa 45:10; Sol 6:8) [WEISS, GESENIUS]. Had these been omitted, the enumeration would be incomplete.”

“Kings - Both tributary 1 Kings 10:15 and independent 1 Kings 5:1; 1 Kings 9:14; 1 Kings 10:2; the “provinces” probably correspond to the kingdoms mentioned in 1 Kings 4:21. As musical ... sorts - Rather, Many women (compare 1 Kings 11:1-3). return to 'Top of Page'”

“Peculiar treasure - The greatest jewels and rarities of other kings, which they gave to me, either as a tribute, or by way of present. Of provinces - Which were imposed upon or presented by all the provinces of my dominions. Ecclesiastes 2:9”

“2:8 silver and gold . . . kings and provinces: Solomon ruled from the Fertile Crescent (north and east of Israel) to the border of Egypt in the south. His wealth in precious metals came from trade, gifts from admiring rulers of other nations, and taxes from lands he held within his empire (1 Kgs 4:21; 9:28; 10:14, 22-25; 1 Chr 29:4; 2 Chr 9:26-27). • many beautiful concubines: Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines by the end of his reign (1 Kgs 11:3).”

“silver: Kg1 9:14, Kg1 9:28, Kg1 10:10, Kg1 14:21, Kg1 14:22, Kg1 14:27; Ch2 9:11, Ch2 9:15-21 men singers: Sa2 19:35; Ezr 2:65 musical instruments: etc. Heb. musical instrument and instruments, Ch1 25:1, Ch1 25:6; Job 21:11, Job 21:12; Psa 150:3-5; Dan 3:5, Dan 3:7, Dan 3:15; Amo 6:5; The difficult words shiddah weshiddoth are variously rendered. The LXX have οινοχοον και οινοχοας, "male and female cup-bearers," with which the Syriac and Arabic and Parkhurst agree; Aquila, κυλικον και κυλικια, "a cup and smaller cups;" Jerome, scyphos et urceolos, Vulgate urceos), "goblets and pots;" Targum, "warm and cold baths;" others, as M. Desvoeux, "male and female captives;" others, "cooks and…”

“"I heaped up for myself also silver and gold, and the peculiar property of kings and of countries; I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the children of men: mistress and mistresses." The verb כּנשׁ כּנס, συνάγειν, is common to all Semitic dialects (also the to Assyr.), and especially peculiar to the more recent Heb., which forms from it the name of the religious community συναγωγή, כּנסת; it is used here of that which is brought together merely for the purpose of possession. Segūllah (from sagal, Targ., to make oneself possess), properly possession, and that something which specially and peculiarly belongs to one as his property; the word is here meant collect., as…”