Ecclesiastes 2:10 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

And this was my portion of all my labour— But this was my portion from all my labour. The word חלק cheilek, rendered portion, constantly implies something which is an advantage, or is considered as such by him who receives it. The Hebrew orator has taken care to give his own definition of what he meant by a man's share or portion in this world, or in or from his labour. There is nothing better in the labour of man, says he, chap. Ecclesiastes 3:22 than that he should receive pleasure from it, because that is his portion: and again, chap. Ecclesiastes 5:18. That itself is his portion. It is but just that we should remember that definition in other passages where the expression is used without being particularly defined. This will explain the meaning of several otherwise obscure passages; as Ecclesiastes 2:21 leaving one's portion to another Man 1:1 :e. leaving him the enjoyment of what you had acquired, with a design to enjoy it yourself: chap. Ecclesiastes 5:19 taking one's portion; 1:e. enjoying it; chap. Ecclesiastes 9:6 having a portion under the sun; 1:e. being in a capacity of enjoying the pleasures of this world. See chap. Ecclesiastes 9:2. The sum of these verses, from the third, is this: When each of the methods of pursuing happiness before-mentioned had proved ineffectual and insufficient by itself, nothing remained for Solomon, that he might be thoroughly enabled to judge of them, but to try both jointly; and this, he tells us, was the step he took. "I did not (says he) launch into pleasure like a thoughtless libertine; but with an inquisitive mind, and a settled design, not only to enjoy, but also to reflect upon my enjoyments; and thus to join together that course of life which by the wise is reputed folly, and that very study and application from which wise men get their denomination. In this I was so successful, as to procure to myself all the conveniencies of life, and refinements of pleasure, which the greatest plenty can afford, or the nicest taste invent. But, after all, I found that present enjoyment was the only advantage I had gained."