_A.M. 3304. B.C. 700._
Here begins what Bishop Patrick and others have termed The third part
of the book of Proverbs, being a collection made after the preceding,
by persons belonging to Hezekiah, and probably appointed by him. Who
these persons were we are not informed. Some have supposed that the... [ Continue Reading ]
_These_ Which are contained in this and the following Chapter s; _are
also the proverbs of Solomon_ Lessons on piety and virtue,
sententiously delivered by Solomon, and collected out of his works by
some of the servants of that good king, Hezekiah; who, setting himself
with all his heart to reform t... [ Continue Reading ]
_It is the glory of God to conceal a thing_ It is agreeable to the
nature of God, and highly conducing to his honour, as being a
testimony of his infinite wisdom and knowledge, of his absolute power
and sovereignty, and of his other incomprehensible perfections, to
keep his counsels, and the reasons... [ Continue Reading ]
_The heaven for height_, &c. As no man upon earth can exactly discover
the height of heaven, or the depth of earth, or discern what is
contained in them; so, _the heart of kings is unsearchable_ Though
wise kings will search out other men and things, yet their inward
thoughts and purposes are hardly... [ Continue Reading ]
_Take away the dross from the silver_, &c. When the dross is separated
from the silver, and not before, it becomes so pliable, that the finer
may cast or work it into what form he pleases; thus, _take away the
wicked from before the king_ Remove from his court and counsels those
who, by their wicked... [ Continue Reading ]
_Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king_ Hebrew, אל
תתהדר, _do not magnify_, or _glorify thyself, before the king;_
namely, by vaunting or vain-glorious speech, or behaviour; but, which
is implied, conduct thyself in an humble and modest manner, which is
most pleasing to kings, princes, a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Go not forth hastily to strive_ To contend with thy neighbour
judicially or otherwise; especially take some time to consider both
whether thy cause be good, and whether it be important, as also how to
manage it, before thou bring an action at law against him; reflect on
the certainty of the expense... [ Continue Reading ]
_A word fitly spoken_ As to the matter, and season, and other
circumstances of it; _is like apples of gold in pictures of silver_
Which, it seems, were usual in those times, and were grateful to the
eye for the beauty and variety both of the colours and figures, the
golden apples appearing through t... [ Continue Reading ]
_As an ear-ring of gold_, &c. That is, highly acceptable, and a great
ornament, and not an offence and dishonour, as fools think it; _is a
wise reprover_ One who reproves an offender faithfully, and yet
prudently, in the fittest manner and season; _upon an obedient ear_ To
the man that hearkens to t... [ Continue Reading ]
_As the cold of snow_, &c. Solomon does not here intend a fall of snow
in the time of harvest, which must have been incommoding instead of
being pleasurable and refreshing, as the proverb supposes what he
speaks of to be; but liquors cooled with snow or ice, which they
usually were in summer or harv... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift_ Falsely pretends that he hath
given, or will give, a valuable gift; or who raises high expectations
by promising much, and then deceives them by performing little or
nothing; _is like clouds and wind without rain_ Is like empty clouds
carried about with wind,... [ Continue Reading ]
_By long forbearing is a prince persuaded_ That is, by patient
submission and expectation he is pacified, whereas his rage is
increased by opposition. _And a soft tongue breaketh the bone_ A mild
and humble answer softens a heart which is as hard as a bone or stone.
He alludes to those oils which si... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hast thou found honey?_ Which, in those parts, was often found in
woods or fields. By _honey_, he understands not only all delicious
meats, but all present and worldly delights, which we are here taught
to use with moderation: for as honey, moderately taken, strengthens
the body and prolongs life,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house_ Visit him not too
frequently nor unseasonably: do not, upon every light occasion,
interrupt his weightier affairs, nor intrude upon him, and take up his
time uninvited and unexpected. _Lest he be weary of thee_ Lest, having
too much of thy company, it g... [ Continue Reading ]
_A man that beareth false witness, &c., is a maul_ Or, _club_, by
which a man's fame and character are beaten down to the ground. _And a
sword, and a sharp arrow_ By his tongue he is as cruel and pernicious
to his neighbour as any instrument of death: he destroys him, not only
when he is near, as wi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Confidence in an unfaithful man_, &c. “As a broken tooth, or leg
out of joint, not only fails a man when he comes to use them, but
likewise puts him into pain; so doth a faithless person serve them
that depend upon him, when they have the greatest need of his help;
and such also is the confidence t... [ Continue Reading ]
_As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather_ When it is most
necessary; _and as vinegar upon nitre_ Producing an effervescence
through the contrariety of their qualities; _so is he that singeth
songs to a heavy heart_ Such unseasonable mirth does not relieve, but
increase a man's grief, and ma... [ Continue Reading ]
_If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread_, &c. By bread and water he
intends all things necessary for his subsistence; _for thou shalt heap
coals of fire upon his head_ If he have the least spark of goodness in
him, such conduct in thee toward him will work a change in his mind,
and make him throw... [ Continue Reading ]
_The north wind_, &c. “As the sharpness of the north wind scatters
clouds, and drives away rain, so a severe countenance, full of
indignation against him that traduces his neighbour, not only gives a
check, but puts a stop to his slanderous tongue; which would not tell
such lies if they were not gre... [ Continue Reading ]
_As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country_
“Good and certain news, especially from a far country, (from whence
it is hard to have any true intelligence,) is as grateful to him that
longed to hear of his friends there, as cool water is to a thirsty
traveller; especially wh... [ Continue Reading ]
_A righteous man falling down before the wicked_, &c. When a righteous
man is either allured or terrified into any sinful practice by wicked
men, or into any base and servile compliance with their habits and
customs, he, who by his excellent example and counsels was like a
fountain, or well of life,... [ Continue Reading ]
_It is not good to eat much honey_ Namely, for the health of the body;
_so for men to search their own glory_ Industriously to seek for
honour and applause from men; _is not glory_ Is not only sinful, but
shameful also, and a sign of a vain and mean spirit.... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that hath no rule over his own spirit_ Over his passions, and
especially his anger, which is signified by this word, Proverbs 16:32;
Ecclesiastes 10:4; _is like a city that is broken down and without
walls_ Exposes himself to manifold dangers and mischiefs.... [ Continue Reading ]