Ecclesiastes 2:7

7 I acquired male slaves and female slaves, as well as children [born in my] house. I also had livestock, cattle, and flocks more than anyone who [was] before me in Jerusalem.

Ecclesiastes 2:7 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 2:7

I got [me] servants and maidens
Menservants, and maidservants; the Targum adds,

``of the children of Ham, and of the rest of the strange people;''

these were such as he hired, or bought with his money; and had servants born in my house;
and these were all employed by him; either as his retinue and equipage, his attendants and bodyguards; or to take care of his household, his gardens, and pools; or for his horses and chariots, and for various offices; see ( 1 Kings 4:26 1 Kings 4:27 ) ( Ezra 2:58 ) . Villalpandus computes the number of his servants to be forty eight thousand; if there were any pleasure and happiness in such a numerous attendance, Solomon had it; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that
were in Jerusalem before me;
oxen, cows, horses, asses, camels, mules, &c. also sheep and goats; which, as they were profitable, so it was pleasant to see them grazing on the hills and valleys, in the fields, mountains, and meadows.

Ecclesiastes 2:7 In-Context

5 I made for myself gardens and parks, and I planted all [sorts of] fruit trees in them.

6 I made for myself pools of water from which to irrigate a grove of flourishing trees.

7 I acquired male slaves and female slaves, as well as children [born in my] house. I also had livestock, cattle, and flocks more than anyone who [was] before me in Jerusalem.

8 I also gathered to myself silver and gold--the royal and provincial treasuries. I acquired for myself male and female singers, as well as the delight of {men}, {voluptuous concubines}.

9 Thus, {I accomplished far more} than anyone who [was] before me in Jerusalem--indeed, my wisdom stood by me.