John Trapp on Ecclesiastes 2:4

Verſ. 4. I made me great works] I took not pleaſure in trifles, as Domitian did, in catching and killing flyes with his Pen-knife; or as Artaxerxes did, in making hafts for Knives; or as Solyman the great Turk did, in making notches of horn for Bowes; but I built ſtately houſes, planted pleaſant Vineyards, &c. A godly man may be buſied in mean low things, but he is not ſatisfied in them as adequate objects, hee trades for better commodities, and cannot reſt without them.

I builded mee houſes] Curious and ſpacious, ſuch as is the Turks Seraglio, or palace, ſaid to bee more than two miles in compaſs. William Rufus built Weſtminſter hall, and when it was done, found much fault with it, for being built too little;Daniels hiſt. ſaying, It was fitter for a chamber, than for a hall for a King of England, and took a plat for one far more ſpacious to bee added unto it.

I planted mee vineyards] That no pleaſant thing might be wanting to mee. To plant a vineyard is a matter of much coſt and care, but it ſoon quits coſt by bearing, firſt, plenty of fruit in cluſters and bunches, many grapes together. Secondly, by bearing pleaſant fruit, no fruit being more delectable to the taſte than is the grape; nor more comfortable to the heart, than is the wine made of the grape, Judg. 9.13. Solomon had one gallant vineyard at Baalhamon, that yeelded him great profit, Cant. 8.1.