He, that being often reproved hardeneth [his] neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. Ver. 1. _He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck._] As an untamed heifer, that "pulleth away the shoulder," Zec 7:11 and detracteth the yoke; or as the creature called monoceros, the un... [ Continue Reading ]
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. Ver. 2. _When the righteous are in authority._] Or, Are increased, as Proverbs 28:28; _See Trapp on "_ Pro 28:28 _"_ The people mourn.] Heb., Sigh (as the oppressed Israelites in Egypt did)... [ Continue Reading ]
Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth [his] substance. Ver. 3. _Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father._] _See Trapp on "_ Pro 10:1 _"_ But he that keepeth company with harlots.] _See Trapp on "_ Pro 5:9 _"_ Those she sinners, as they call th... [ Continue Reading ]
The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it. Ver. 4. _The king by judgment stablisheth the land._] This one piece of Solomon's politics hath much more good advice in it than all Lypsius's Beehive, or Machiavel's Spider web. _ But he that receiveth gifts.... [ Continue Reading ]
A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet. Ver. 5. _A man that flattereth his neighbour, &c._] A smooth boots, as the word _a_ signifies, a butterspoken man, _see _ Isa 3:12 or a divided man, for a flatterer's tongue is divided from his heart. _ a_ Glaber.... [ Continue Reading ]
In the transgression of an evil man [there is] a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice. Ver. 6. _In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare._] Or, A cord - viz., to strangle his joy with - to check and choke all his comforts. In the midst of his mirth he hath many a secret gripe,... [ Continue Reading ]
The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: [but] the wicked regardeth not to know [it]. Ver. 7. _The righteous considereth the cause of the poor._] The cause, not the person of the poor, for that is forbidden in the law. Lev 19:15 The great must not be favoured for their might, nor the mean f... [ Continue Reading ]
Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise [men] turn away wrath. Ver. 8. _Scornful men bring a city into a snare._] The Vulgate render it, Pestilent persons undo a city or a state; as Nahash did the Ammonites, 1 Samuel 11:2 _; _ 1Sa 11:11 and as his son Hanan did much more. 2Sa 10:4 _; _ 2Sa... [ Continue Reading ]
Proverbs 29:9 [If] a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, [there is] no rest. Ver. 9. _If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man._] Such fools were the Pharisees, though for their worldly wisdom called princes of this world. 1Co 2:8 Christ piped to them, John mourned... [ Continue Reading ]
The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul. Ver. 10. _The bloodthirsty hate the upright._] As Cain did Abel for his goodness, 1Jn 3:12 and as many bloody villains still, who bear about, and, so far as they dare, make use of Cain's club to knock on the head God's righteous Abels.... [ Continue Reading ]
_A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise [man] keepeth it in till afterwards._ Ver. 11. _A fool uttereth all his mind._] He is full of chinks, and can hold nothing; his heart lies so near his mouth, that he will out suddenly. פתי, _a fool_, and פתאם, _suddenly_, are from the same root. He hath lit... [ Continue Reading ]
If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants [are] wicked. Ver. 12. _If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked._] He shall have his _Aiones_ and _Negones,_ that will say as he says, and fit his humour to a hair, as Doeg did Saul's, as the false prophets did Ahab's, as Herod's courtier... [ Continue Reading ]
The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes. Ver. 13. _The poor and the usurer meet together._] That is, The poor and the rich, as Proverbs 22:2; because commonly usurers are rich men, and many rich men usurers. "The Lord lighteneth both their eyes"; that is, h... [ Continue Reading ]
The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever. Ver. 14. _The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, &c._] An office not unbeseeming the greatest king, to sit in person to hear the poor man's cause. James IV of Scotland was for this cause called the poor man's k... [ Continue Reading ]
The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left [to himself] bringeth his mother to shame. Ver. 15. _The rod and reproof give wisdom._] If reproof do the deed, the rod may be spared, and not else. Chrysippus is by some cried out upon as the first that brought the use of a rod into the schools; bu... [ Continue Reading ]
When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall. Ver. 16. _When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth._] As saith the proverb of the ancients: Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked. Miserable man hath, by his fall from God, contracted a... [ Continue Reading ]
Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul. Ver. 17. _Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest._] He will grow so towardly, that thou shalt with less ado rule him when grown up; or at least, thou shalt have peace within, in that thou hast used God's m... [ Continue Reading ]
Where [there is] no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy [is] he. Ver. 18. _Where there is no vision the people perish._] Or, Are barred of all virtue; laid naked and open to the dint of divine displeasure; scattered, worsted, and driven back. Great is the misery of those B... [ Continue Reading ]
A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer. Ver. 19. _A servant will not be corrected by words._] Some servants will not, but must have blows. If words will do, they must be chidden with good words, and not reviled. Christians must be "no brawlers, but gen... [ Continue Reading ]
_Seest thou a man [that is] hasty in his words? [there is] more hope of a fool than of him._ Ver. 20. _Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words._] Or, Matters; that weighs not his words before he utters them, but too soon shoots his fool's bolt, let it light where it will, hit or miss, it matter... [ Continue Reading ]
He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become [his] son at the length. Ver. 21. _He that delicately bringeth up his servant._] A master that would be, as he ought, both loved and feared by his servants, must see to two things: - (1.) The well-choosing; and (2.) The w... [ Continue Reading ]
An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression. Ver. 22. _An angry man stirreth up strife._] See Proverbs 15:18; Proverbs 16:21 . _ And a furious man._] Heb. A master of fury; or one that is mastered and overmatched by his fury; that hath no command of his passions, b... [ Continue Reading ]
A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. Ver. 23. A man's pride shall bring him low.] For it sets God against him, and angels, and men, not good men only, but bad men too, and those that are as proud as themselves. For whereas one drunkard loves another and o... [ Continue Reading ]
Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth [it] not. Ver. 24. _Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul._] Since to hold the bag is as bad as to fill it; to consent to sin or to conceal it, as bad as to commit it. By the one as well as by the other... [ Continue Reading ]
_The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe._ Ver. 25. _The fear of man bringeth a snare._] This cowardly passion expectorates and exposes a man to many, both sins and sufferings. And albeit faith, when it is in the heart, quelleth and killeth distrustfu... [ Continue Reading ]
Many seek the ruler's favour; but [every] man's judgment [cometh] from the LORD. Ver. 26. Many seek the ruler's favour.] More than the love of God; and so cast themselves into a second "snare," besides that [of] Proverbs 29:25. But as he that truly trusts in God will easily expel the fear of man: s... [ Continue Reading ]
An unjust man [is] an abomination to the just: and [he that is] upright in the way [is] abomination to the wicked. Ver. 27. _An unjust man is an abomination to the just._] Who yet hates, _non virum sed vitium,_ not the person of a wicked man, but his sin - as the physician hates the disease, but lo... [ Continue Reading ]