Ecclesiastes 2:17 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Therefore I hated life— From the 12th to this verse, we have a review of the second proof; first, with respect to wisdom. The more one compares together wisdom or knowledge, and ignorance, which no one can be better qualified to do than king Solomon was, or perform with more exactness; the more it appears that the former has by much the advantage of the latter; Ecclesiastes 2:12-13.: yet that advantage does not reach so far as to establish a visible inequality of happiness between the wise and ignorant. Death is equally unavoidable to both; Ecclesiastes 2:14. From thence two consequences naturally arise; first, even that which is the most valuable in itself, avails so little in this world, that it may very reasonably, with respect to it, be accounted but a vain advantage. Wisdom itself does not secure immortality, either in a literal or a metaphorical sense; and whatever trouble may be taken in erecting monuments to the wise, it is so much lost with respect to the ignorant, who will most probably be the greatest number, as well hereafter as they are now; Ecclesiastes 2:15-16. Secondly, life itself is unworthy our love and attachment; since both its conclusion and the occupations in which it is employed concur to demonstrate its emptiness and vanity; Ecclesiastes 2:17.