Ecclesiastes 2:3 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

I sought, &c.— I sought in mine heart that I might force my senses into a habit of drinking wine, (yet leading my heart into wisdom,) and that I might apprehend what is in folly, until I should see, where is that good for the children of men, which they pursue under heaven every day of their life. Desvoeux. Solomon's design, as here represented, was, to catch hold of whatever he should find in folly, rather for the improvement of his knowledge, than for the sake of present enjoyment. This verse contains a fine instance of the antithesis; where the flesh or sensual appetite is opposed to the heart, the one being drawn unto wine, the other led into wisdom; where we have the two ends toward which each of these subjects is carried, wine and wisdom, and the manner in which each of them is influenced to take these different courses. The verb נהג nahag, applied to the heart means to guide, to lead from one place to another; and is constantly made use of with respect to animated creatures, men or tame animals, who use their activity towards attaining the end proposed. The meaning of the verb משׁךֶ mashak, employed with respect to the flesh is, to draw with violence: in the proper sense, it is always applied to mere passive beings; and in the figurative, it always retains a notion of force and constraint. Thus it seems the sacred writer wanted to inform his hearers, that he could not be brought into a habit of drinking without putting some violence upon his own inclinations; whereas his natural bent prompted him to the search after wisdom; that he put this force upon his own inclination with no other view, but that he might acquire an experimental knowledge of what so many men call happiness, and might thereby be enabled to judge of its value; and lastly, that at the same time he pursued this course, he did not grow passionate for wine, which must have disqualified him for judging; but preserved such a command over that habit, as to be led from it by wisdom, whenever he should find he knew enough of it to form a right judgment. And, lest his meaning should be misunderstood, he does not say positively that he put that force upon his flesh; but that he took pains, or sought to do it: whereas, with respect to the leading of his heart to wisdom, he directly ascribes it to himself, or to the propensity of his soul that way. There is still another opposition, relating to the time spent in pursuing that course into which he took pains to force himself. The lovers of wine will make the drinking of it a good or happiness to themselves under heaven, as long as they live; but he gave way to that foolish and sinful habit no longer than it was necessary for his wise purpose of being thoroughly acquainted with the nature of that wherein men of pleasure place their happiness. Until I should see where that good, or happiness, lies for the children of men, which they will pursue under heaven the number of the days of their life.