Ecclesiastes 2:8

I amassed for myself silver and gold, and the wealth of kings and governors. I chose men and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, bowls and pitchers for the purpose of pouring wine.

Catholic Public Domain Version

In The King James Version

I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.

In Context

7I obtained men and women servants, and I had a great family, as well as herds of cattle and great flocks of sheep, beyond all who were before me in Jerusalem.

9And I surpassed in opulence all who were before me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also persevered with me.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 2

Cross References

2 Samuel 19:35Today I am eighty years old. Are my senses quick to discern sweet and bitter? Or is food and drink able to delight your servant? Or can I still hear the voice of men and women singers? Why should your servant be a burden to my lord the king?

1 Kings 9:28And when they had gone to Ophir, taking from there four hundred twenty talents of gold, they brought it to king Solomon.

1 Kings 10:14Now the weight of the gold that was brought to Solomon each year was six hundred sixty-six talents of gold,

1 Kings 11:3And for him, there were seven hundred wives, as if they were queens, and three hundred concubines. And the women turned aside his heart.

1 Kings 14:27In place of these, king Rehoboam made shields of brass, and he delivered them into the hand of the commanders of the shield bearers, and of those who were keeping the night watch before the gate of the king’s house.

1 Chronicles 25:6All these, under their father’s hand, were distributed in order to sing in the temple of the Lord, with cymbals and psalteries and harps, in the ministry of the house of the Lord beside the king, specifically, Asaph, and Jeduthun, and Heman.

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 2:2-12

Vanity of Worldly Pleasure. 1 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity. 2 I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it? 3 I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life. 4 I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me… Read the whole commentary →

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Study Ecclesiastes 2:8