2:1-2 Pleasure has no ultimate value either (vv. 1-2). That is, while it has some temporary, immediate value (i.e., relieving grief and boredom) it does not produce anything permanently or ultimately worthwhile.
2:3-11 It is clear from verses 3 and 9 that Solomon's investigation of pleasure was not a mindless dive into the morass of hedonism. Wisdom guided him throughout. He evidently pursued every pleasure available to an oriental monarch (vv. 4-10).
"A sensible use of money may be a form of creativity; so Solomon expressed himself in extensive buildings and the planting of vineyards, fruit trees, and gardens (vv. 4-6).30
Some of this experimentation involved sin (v. 8). Solomon did not say he experienced no pleasure; he did. Nevertheless his final evaluation was that pleasure does not yield profit, real significance (v. 11).
