4 I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. 5 I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. 6 I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees. 7 I bought male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house. I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem. 8 I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines, the delight of the children of man.
9 So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. 10 And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. 11 Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.
9 So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. 10 And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. 11 Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.
- What did Solomon do in his quest for pleasure?
- How often have you thought or even said that you would be happy if you had...
- a new / larger / more luxurious house
- your own park with swimming pools, gardens, and trees
- someone to wait on you and serve you without question
- a more money and better income
- more CD's, DVD's, and videos
- more lovers
- more prestige and power
- a new / sportier / larger / more luxurious car
- more of whatever it is that turns you on - How does Solomon's quest compare to the world's quest today?
- What pleasure did Solomon withhold from himself?
- How did Solomon feel about what he had done?
- What was Solomon's evaluation of what he had done?
- Why do you think he came to this conclusion?
- What is your conclusion about your quest for happiness?
1 comment:
Solomon did not withhold any pleasure from himself. There are times in the book of Ecclesiastes where I think Solomon came to his senses and realized that all this was foolish because eventually all of this would be gone and destroyed. Through his great wisdom, it appears he realized everthing would eventually be destroyed with the exception of a right relationship with God.
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