Ecclesiastes 2:9

NET Bible® (New English Translation)

So I was far wealthier than all my predecessors in Jerusalem, yet I maintained my objectivity:

Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

  • 1 Chr 29:25 : 25 The LORD greatly magnified Solomon before all Israel and bestowed on him greater majesty than any king of Israel before him.
  • Eccl 1:16 : 16 Futility of Secular Wisdom I thought to myself,“I have become much wiser than any of my predecessors who ruled over Jerusalem; I have acquired much wisdom and knowledge.”
  • 1 Kgs 10:23 : 23 King Solomon was wealthier and wiser than any of the kings of the earth.
  • 2 Chr 1:1 : 1 ¶ The Lord Gives Solomon Wisdom Solomon son of David solidified his royal authority, for the LORD his God was with him and magnified him greatly.
  • 2 Chr 9:22-23 : 22 King Solomon was wealthier and wiser than any of the kings of the earth. 23 All the kings of the earth wanted to visit Solomon to see him display his God-given wisdom.
  • 1 Kgs 3:12 : 12 I grant your request, and give you a wise and discerning mind superior to that of anyone who has preceded or will succeed you.
  • 1 Kgs 10:7 : 7 I did not believe these things until I came and saw them with my own eyes. Indeed, I didn’t hear even half the story! Your wisdom and wealth surpass what was reported to me.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

  • Eccl 1:16-18
    3 verses
    86%

    16Futility of Secular Wisdom I thought to myself,“I have become much wiser than any of my predecessors who ruled over Jerusalem; I have acquired much wisdom and knowledge.”

    17So I decided to discern the benefit of wisdom and knowledge over foolish behavior and ideas; however, I concluded that even this endeavor is like trying to chase the wind!

    18For with great wisdom comes great frustration; whoever increases his knowledge merely increases his heartache.

  • Eccl 2:3-8
    6 verses
    81%

    3I thought deeply about the effects of indulging myself with wine(all the while my mind was guiding me with wisdom) and the effects of behaving foolishly, so that I might discover what is profitable for people to do on earth during the few days of their lives.

    4Futility of Materialism I increased my possessions: I built houses for myself; I planted vineyards for myself.

    5I designed royal gardens and parks for myself, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.

    6I constructed pools of water for myself, to irrigate my grove of flourishing trees.

    7I purchased male and female slaves, and I owned slaves who were born in my house; I also possessed more livestock– both herds and flocks– than any of my predecessors in Jerusalem.

    8I also amassed silver and gold for myself, as well as valuable treasures taken from kingdoms and provinces. I acquired male singers and female singers for myself, and what gives a man sensual delight– a harem of beautiful concubines!

  • Eccl 2:10-15
    6 verses
    79%

    10I did not restrain myself from getting whatever I wanted; I did not deny myself anything that would bring me pleasure. So all my accomplishments gave me joy; this was my reward for all my effort.

    11Yet when I reflected on everything I had accomplished and on all the effort that I had expended to accomplish it, I concluded:“All these achievements and possessions are ultimately profitless– like chasing the wind! There is nothing gained from them on earth.”

    12Wisdom is Better than Folly Next, I decided to consider wisdom, as well as foolish behavior and ideas. For what more can the king’s successor do than what the king has already done?

    13I realized that wisdom is preferable to folly, just as light is preferable to darkness:

    14The wise man can see where he is going, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I also realized that the same fate happens to them both.

    15So I thought to myself,“The fate of the fool will happen even to me! Then what did I gain by becoming so excessively wise?” So I lamented to myself,“The benefits of wisdom are ultimately meaningless!”

  • Eccl 1:12-13
    2 verses
    78%

    12Futility of Secular Accomplishment I, the Teacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.

    13I decided to carefully and thoroughly examine all that has been accomplished on earth. I concluded: God has given people a burdensome task that keeps them occupied.

  • Eccl 9:13
    77%

    13Most People Are Not Receptive to Wise Counsel This is what I also observed about wisdom on earth, and it is a great burden to me:

  • 2 Chr 9:22-23
    2 verses
    76%

    22King Solomon was wealthier and wiser than any of the kings of the earth.

    23All the kings of the earth wanted to visit Solomon to see him display his God-given wisdom.

  • 2 Chr 1:12
    75%

    12you are granted wisdom and discernment. Furthermore I am giving you riches, wealth, and honor surpassing that of any king before or after you.”

  • 1 Kgs 10:23-24
    2 verses
    75%

    23King Solomon was wealthier and wiser than any of the kings of the earth.

    24Everyone in the world wanted to visit Solomon to see him display his God-given wisdom.

  • Job 31:25
    75%

    25if I have rejoiced because of the extent of my wealth, or because of the great wealth my hand had gained,

  • 1 Kgs 3:12-13
    2 verses
    74%

    12I grant your request, and give you a wise and discerning mind superior to that of anyone who has preceded or will succeed you.

    13Furthermore, I am giving you what you did not request– riches and honor so that you will be the greatest king of your generation.

  • Eccl 2:19-20
    2 verses
    73%

    19Who knows if he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will be master over all the fruit of my labor for which I worked so wisely on earth! This also is futile!

    20So I began to despair about all the fruit of my labor for which I worked so hard on earth.

  • Eccl 2:1
    73%

    1Futility of Self-Indulgent Pleasure I thought to myself,“Come now, I will try self-indulgent pleasure to see if it is worthwhile.” But I found that it also is futile.

  • Eccl 2:25
    73%

    25For no one can eat and drink or experience joy apart from him.

  • 2 Chr 9:5-6
    2 verses
    72%

    5She said to the king,“The report I heard in my own country about your wise sayings and insight was true!

    6I did not believe these things until I came and saw them with my own eyes. Indeed, I didn’t hear even half the story! Your wisdom surpasses what was reported to me.

  • Eccl 7:25
    72%

    25True Righteousness and Wisdom Are Virtually Nonexistent I tried to understand, examine, and comprehend the role of wisdom in the scheme of things, and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the insanity of folly.

  • Eccl 7:23
    72%

    23Human Wisdom is Limited I have examined all this by wisdom; I said,“I am determined to comprehend this”– but it was beyond my grasp.

  • Ezek 28:4
    72%

    4By your wisdom and understanding you have gained wealth for yourself; you have amassed gold and silver in your treasuries.

  • Prov 8:18-19
    2 verses
    71%

    18Riches and honor are with me, long-lasting wealth and righteousness.

    19My fruit is better than the purest gold, and my harvest is better than choice silver.

  • 1 Kgs 10:7
    71%

    7I did not believe these things until I came and saw them with my own eyes. Indeed, I didn’t hear even half the story! Your wisdom and wealth surpass what was reported to me.

  • 1 Kgs 4:30-31
    2 verses
    71%

    30Solomon was wiser than all the men of the east and all the sages of Egypt.

    31He was wiser than any man, including Ethan the Ezrahite or Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol. He was famous in all the neighboring nations.

  • Eccl 7:19
    70%

    19Wisdom Needed Because No One is Truly Righteous Wisdom gives a wise person more protection than ten rulers in a city.

  • 2 Chr 9:3
    70%

    3When the queen of Sheba saw for herself Solomon’s wisdom, the palace he had built,

  • Eccl 7:11
    70%

    11Wisdom Can Lengthen One’s Life Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing; it benefits those who see the light of day.

  • 2 Chr 2:9
    70%

    9to supply me with large quantities of timber, for I am building a great, magnificent temple.

  • Prov 8:11-12
    2 verses
    70%

    11For wisdom is better than rubies, and desirable things cannot be compared to her.

    12“I, wisdom, have dwelt with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.

  • Prov 9:11
    70%

    11For because of me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.

  • Prov 8:31
    70%

    31rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth, and delighting in its people.

  • Prov 8:14
    70%

    14Counsel and sound wisdom belong to me; I possess understanding and might.

  • Eccl 9:16
    70%

    16So I concluded that wisdom is better than might, but a poor man’s wisdom is despised; no one ever listens to his advice.