John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 9. Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest , etc.] Or “see”, or “enjoy life” f224 : this is one of the ways of enjoying life comfortably, and one of the principal ones; that if a man has a wife whom he ought to love as himself as his own flesh, to take delight in her company, be pleasant with her, and rejoice in her, ( Proverbs 5:18,19); and this here may be put for all that pleasure and satisfaction which may be lawfully had in the enjoyment of all other relations and friends; which adds no small part to the comfort of a man’s life; all the days of the life of thy vanity ; a wife is for life, and not after a while to be divorced; and to be lived joyfully with, not for a short time only, but all the days of life; which he hath given thee under the sun ; that is, either which wife God has given thee; for a wife is the gift of God, ( Genesis 3:12); and which is a gift under the sun; for above it, or in heaven, and in a future state, there is no marrying nor giving in marriage, ( Luke 20:35); or which days he hath given thee, so the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, and Arabic versions. It is added, all the days of thy vanity ; which is repeated, that it might be observed that the life of man is but a vain life, a vapour that soon vanishes away, and man in it, at his best estate, is vanity; and that notwithstanding all the enjoyments of life in the most comfortable manner here directed to, yet still the doctrine he set out with must be remembered, that all is vanity, ( Ecclesiastes 1:2); for that [is] thy portion in [this] life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun ; this is all the outward happiness of a man in this life, and all the use, profit, and advantage of his labours, to eat and drink cheerfully, to clothe decently, to debar himself of nothing of lawful pleasure, particularly to live joyfully with his wife, and enjoy his friends; this is the utmost of outward felicity he can partake of, and this he should not deny himself. Ben Melech restrains this portion to a wife, and joyful living with her; but it is best to include all that goes before.
Matthew Henry Commentary
- Good and bad men fare alike as to this world. (Eccl. 9:1-3) All me must die, Their portion as to this life. (Eccl. 9:4-10) Disappointment common. (Eccl. 9:11,12) Benefits of wisdom. (Eccl. 9:13-18)
Eccl. 9:1-3 We are not to think our searching into the word or works of God useless, because we cannot explain all difficulties. We may lear many things good for ourselves and useful to others. But man cannot always decide who are objects of God's special love, or under his wrath; and God will certainly put a difference between the precious an the vile, in the other world. The difference as to present happiness arises from the inward supports and consolations the righteous enjoy and the benefit they derive from varied trials and mercies. As far a the sons of men are left to themselves, their hearts are full of evil and prosperity in sin, causes them even to set God at defiance by daring wickedness. Though, on this side death, the righteous and the wicked may often seem to fare alike, on the other side there will be vast difference between them.
Eccl. 9:4-10 The most despicable living man's state, is preferable to that of the most noble who have died impenitent. Solomon exhorts the wise and pious to cheerful confidence in God, whatever their conditio in life. The meanest morsel, coming from their Father's love, in answe to prayer, will have a peculiar relish. Not that we may set our heart upon the delights of sense, but what God has given us we may use with wisdom. The joy here described, is the gladness of heart that spring from a sense of the Divine favour. This is the world of service, tha to come is the world of recompence. All in their stations, may fin some work to do. And above all, sinners have the salvation of their souls to seek after, believers have to prove their faith, adorn the gospel, glorify God, and serve their generation.
Eccl. 9:11,12 Men's success seldom equals their expectations. We mus use means, but not trust to them: if we succeed, we must give God the praise; if crossed, we must submit to his will. Those who put off the great concerns of their souls, are caught in Satan's net, which he baits with some worldly object, for which they reject or neglect the gospel, and go on in sin till they suddenly fall into destruction.
Eccl. 9:13-18 A man may, by his wisdom, bring to pass that which he could never do by his strength. If God be for us, who can be agains us, or stand before us? Solomon observes the power of wisdom, though it may labour under outward disadvantages. How forcible are right words But wise and good men must often content themselves with the satisfaction of having done good, or, at least, endeavoured to do it when they cannot do the good they would, nor have the praise the should. How many of the good gifts, both of nature and Providence, doe one sinner destroy and make waste! He who destroys his own sou destroys much good. One sinner may draw many into his destroying ways See who are the friends and enemies of a kingdom or a family, if on saint does much good, and one sinner destroys much good _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew ראה7200 חיים2416 עם5973 אשׁה802 אשׁר834 אהבת157 כל3605 ימי3117 חיי2416 הבלך1892 אשׁר834 נתן5414 לך תחת8478 השׁמשׁ8121 כל3605 ימי3117 הבלך1892 כי3588 הוא1931 חלקך2506 בחיים2416 ובעמלך5999 אשׁר834 אתה859 עמל6001 תחת8478 השׁמשׁ׃8121
