Proverbs 12 - Introduction
_A.M. 3004. B.C. 1000._... [ Continue Reading ]
_A.M. 3004. B.C. 1000._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whose loveth instruction_ Admonition, or reproof, (as appears from the next clause,) which is a singular means of gaining true wisdom; _loveth knowledge_ Shows that he is a true lover of it, because he is willing to purchase it upon such unwelcome terms, as reproofs are generally thought to be. _Bu... [ Continue Reading ]
_A man shall not be established by wickedness_ By any sinful course, however craftily devised, and apparently well calculated to answer that end. For the power and prosperity which are raised by sin are built on the sand. _But the root of the righteous shall not be moved_ Namely, out of its place. T... [ Continue Reading ]
_A virtuous woman_ אשׁת חיל, _a woman of strength_, or _vigour_, (namely, of minds) _of diligence_, or _economy._ Thus אישׁ חיל, is rendered, Ruth 1:2. _A man of valour._ “Solomon seems to intend by this appellation, a woman who has all the perfections of her sex; wisdom, modesty, prudence, virtue,... [ Continue Reading ]
_The thoughts of the righteous are right_ His constant purpose is to be upright before God, and just and true in all his dealings with men. _But the counsels of the wicked are deceit_ His great care and contrivance are to deceive and wrong others by fair pretence and cunning artifices. _The words of... [ Continue Reading ]
_A man shall be commended_ Namely, by wise and good men; _according to his wisdom_ More or less, according to the degree of wisdom, which his discourses and actions discover to be in him; _but he that is of a perverse heart_ Which he shows by his wicked words and actions; _shall be despised_ By God,... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that is despised_ That lives in an obscure and mean condition in the world, such being commonly despised by persons of a higher rank; _and hath a servant_ Hath but one servant: or, as the LXX. render it, δουλευων εαυτω, _serveth_, or _is servant to himself;_ that is, hath none to wait upon him,... [ Continue Reading ]
_A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast_ Which is employed in his service. He will not destroy it, either by labours beyond its strength, or by denying it necessary food or rest, or any other way: and much more will he be pitiful to his own servants, and to poor men; _but the tender mercies... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that tilleth his land_ That employeth his time and strength in an honest calling; _shall be satisfied with bread_ Shall, through the blessing of God, have food convenient for himself and his family; _but he that followeth vain persons_ That associates with them, and follows their idle course of... [ Continue Reading ]
_The wicked desireth the net of evil men_ He approves and uses those cunning and deceitful arts which evil men employ, like nets, to insnare others, and to take their goods to themselves. The word מצוד, however, here rendered _net_, may be translated _fortress_, as it is in the margin, and then the... [ Continue Reading ]
_The wicked is snared_ Brought into trouble; _by the transgression of his lips_ By his wicked speeches against God and men; _but the just shall come out of trouble_ Namely, by his wise, and holy, and inoffensive words, whereby he pacifieth men, and pleases God, and therefore is favoured with his pro... [ Continue Reading ]
_The way of a fool_ The counsel and course which his own mind suggests to him in ordering his affairs; _is right in his own eyes_ Highly pleases him, so that he neglects and despises the opinions and advices of others; _but he that hearkeneth, &c., is wise_ That distrusts his own judgment, and seeks... [ Continue Reading ]
_A fool's wrath is presently known_ By his rash words and indecent actions, whereby he exposes himself to shame; _but a prudent man covereth shame_ Either, 1st, The shame, reproach, or injury, done to him by others, which he conceals, and bears with patience: or, 2d, His own shame, to which the foll... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that speaketh truth_ He that makes conscience of representing every thing fairly, to the best of his knowledge, whether in judgment or common conversation, whether he be upon his oath or not; he _showeth forth righteousness_ He makes it appear that he is governed by the principles and laws of ri... [ Continue Reading ]
_There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword_ Words that are cutting and killing; opprobrious words, which grieve the spirits of those to whom they are spoken, and cut them to the heart; or slanders, which wound the reputation of those of whom they are uttered, and perhaps incurably; or whi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil_ Either, 1st, Deceit toward others, whom they design to deceive, and then to destroy, while good counsellors bring safety and joy to others: or, rather, 2d, To themselves. So the sense of the verse is, They whose hearts devise mischief against others... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord_ “The Lord,” says Melancthon, on this verse, “recommends to us the love and care of truth, both in doctrines concerning himself, and in arts, and all honest covenants and contracts: for truth being among the chiefest and most conspicuous virtues, therefore... [ Continue Reading ]
_A prudent man concealeth knowledge_ He doth not vain- gloriously and unseasonably utter what he knows, but keeps it in his breast till he hath a fit occasion to bring it forth for God's glory, and the good of others; _but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness_ The heart of a foolish man induce... [ Continue Reading ]
_The hand of the diligent shall bear rule_ Industry is the way to preferment. An instance of which we have 1 Kings 11:28, where we learn that Solomon advanced Jeroboam because he saw he was _an industrious young man._ Men that take pains in an honest employment, and especially those that labour to b... [ Continue Reading ]
_Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop_ Anxious cares and grief depress the spirit of a man, and disable him from exerting himself with any vigour in fulfilling his duty in his place and station, and from bearing with fortitude the sufferings to which he is exposed, in the course of divine p... [ Continue Reading ]
_The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour_ Than any other man who is not righteous; that is, either, 1st, He is more excellent in his spirit and conduct, more just, benevolent, public-spirited, and merciful, &c.; or, 2d, In his condition, more happy, notwithstanding all his sufferings, and... [ Continue Reading ]
_The slothful man_ Or, _the deceitful man_, as in Proverbs 12:24, who seeks to enrich himself, not by his industry and diligence, but by fraudulent and unjust practices; _roasteth not that which he took in hunting_ Is too negligent and slothful to _roast_, or to take care that others roast, that whi... [ Continue Reading ]
_In the way of righteousness is life_, &c. The practice of righteousness, though it expose a man to some dangers and inconveniences in the world, through the corruption of mankind, and the malice of the devil, yet it will certainly lead a man to life and happiness; whereas the end of all the wicked... [ Continue Reading ]