The Pulpit Commentary — Ecclesiastes — Section 59

oi total abstinence, which the Preacher is not commending or even thinking of, this much is eYident, that no one need hope to secure true happiness by surrendering himself without restraint to the appetite of intemperance. Nor is the issue different when the experiment is conducted with moderation, i.e. without losing one's self-control, 01· abandoning the search for wisdom. Solomon and the Preacher found that the result was, as before rnnity, and a striving after wind. 3. Perfectly avoidable. One requires not to tread in this way in order to perceive whither it leads. Oae has only to observe the experiment, as others are unfortunately conducting it, to discern that its goal is not felicity. III. TnE WAY OF CULTURE AND REFINEMENT, (Vers. 4-11.) In the third stage of this experiment the picture is drawn from the experiences of Solomon-whether by Solomon himself or by the Preacher is immaterial, so far as didactic purposes are con- cerurd. Solomon is introduced as telling bis own story. 1. His magnificence had been most resplendent. (1) His works were great. He bad prepared for himself buildings of architectural beauty, such as "the house of the forest of Lebanon, the pillared ball [porch], the hall of judgment, the palace intended for himself and the daughter of Pharaoh" (1 Kings vii. 1-12) ; he had strengthened his kingdom by the erection of such towns as Tadmor in the wilderness, the store-cities of Hamath and Baalath, with the two fortresses of Beth-boron the Upper and Beth-boron the Nether (2 Chron, viii. 3-6); be bad planted vineyards, of which Baal-hamon, with its choicest wine, ,rns one (Cant. .iii. 11), and perhaps those of Engedi (Cant. i. 14) others; be bad caused to be constructed, no doubt in connection with his palaces, gardens aad orchards, with all kinds of fruit trees, and" pools of water to water tberefrom the forest where trees were reared" (Cant. iv. 13; vi. 2). (2) His possessions were varied. In addition to those above mentioned, he had slaves, male and female, purchased with money (Gen. xx.xvii. 28), and born in his house (Gen. xv. 3; xvii. 12), with great possessions of flocks and herds. The number of the former was so large as to excite the Qt1ecn of Sheba's astonishment (1 Kinia:s x. 5), while the abundance of the latter was proved both by the daily provision for Solomon's household (1 Kings iv. 22, 23), and by the becatombs sacrificed at the consecration of the temple (1 Kings viii. 63). (3) His wealth was enormous. Of silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of the kings and of the provinces, he had amassed a heap. 'l'he ships of Hiram had fetched him from Ophir four hundred and twenty talents of gold (1 Kings ix. 28) ; the Queen of Sheba presented him with one hundred and twenty talents of gold (1 Kings x. 10); the weight of gold which came to him in one year was six hundred and sixty-six talents (1 Kings x. 14); while as for silver" the king made it to be in Jerusalem as stones" (1 Kings x. 27). "The peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces'' may either signify such rare and precious jewels as were prized by foreign sovereigns and states and presented to him as tribute; or describe Solomon's wealth as royal and public, in contradistinction from that of private citizens. (4) His plea~ures were delicious. He had singing-men and singing-women to regale his jaded senses with nrnsic at court banquets, after the manner of Oriental sovereigns; while over and above he had "the delights of the sons of men," or "concubines very many"-" a love and loves" (Wright), "mistress and mistresses" (Delitzsch). Clearly Solomon had conducted the experiment of extracting happiness from worldly glory under the most favoura!Jle circumstances; hence special interest attaches to the result he obtained. What was it? 2. His misery was most pronounced. Although be had bad every gratification that eye could desire, heart wish, or hand procure, he had found to his chao-rin that true h~ppiness eluded him like a phantom ; that all was vanity and I\ stri;ing after wind; that, in fact, there was no profit of a lasting kind to be derived from pleasure in its highest any more than in its lowest forms. Learn: I. The way of pleasure, however inviting, is not the way oC safety or the way of peace. 2. While it cannot impart happiness to any, it may lead to everlasting 1uisery and shame. 3. The pursuit of pleasure is not only incompatible with religion, lrnt even at the best its sweets arc not to be compared with religion's joys, Vers. 12-16.-Wisdom and folly. I. FOLLY AS aooD AB WISDOM. 'l'hree things s~emed to proclaim this. 1. The chances of life. These appeared to be as favoura!Jle tc, 1he fool as to the wise man. The experiences of both were much alike j the lot of  ECCLESIASTES; OR, THE PREACllER. 41