2. Anarchy producing contending
rulers shortens the reign of each.
but by a man . . .
prolonged—or, "by a man of understanding—that is, a good
ruler—he who knows or regards the right, that is, a good citizen,
shall prolong (his days)." Good rulers are a blessing to the
people. Bad government as a punishment for evil is contrasted with
good as blessing to the good.
3. A poor man, &c.—Such,
in power, exact more severely, and so leave subjects bare.
4. They that forsake . . .
wicked—Wrongdoers encourage one another.
5. (Compare ). Ignorance of moral truth is due to unwillingness to know
it.
6. (Compare ). Riches cannot compensate for sin, nor the want of them
affect integrity.
8. usury . . . unjust gain—(Compare
Margin). The two terms, meaning nearly the same, may denote
excessive interest. God's providence directs the proper use of
wealth.
11. A poor but wise man can
discover (and expose) the rich and self-conceited.
12. great glory—or, cause for
it to a people, for the righteous rejoice in good, and righteousness
exalts a nation (Proverbs 14:34).
a man . . . hidden—that
is, the good retire, or all kinds try to escape a wicked rule.
13. (Compare ). Concealment of sin delivers none from God's wrath, but
He shows mercy to the humble penitent ().
14. feareth—that is, God, and
so repents.
hardeneth his heart—makes
himself insensible to sin, and so will not repent (Proverbs 14:16;
Proverbs 29:1).
15. The rapacity and cruelty of
such beasts well represent some wicked men (compare Psalms 7:2;
Psalms 17:12).
16. The prince . . .
understanding—that is, He does not perceive that oppression
jeopards his success. Covetousness often produces oppression, hence
the contrast.
17. doeth violence . . . blood,
c.—or, that is oppressed by the blood of life (), which he has taken.
to the pit—the grave or
destruction (Proverbs 1:12 Job 33:18-24;
Psalms 143:7).
stay him—sustain or
deliver him.
20. maketh haste . . . rich—implying
deceit or fraud (Proverbs 20:21),
and so opposed to "faithful" or reliable.
21. respect of persons— (). Such are led to evil by the slightest motive.
24. (Compare ). Such, though heirs, are virtually thieves, to be ranked
with highwaymen.
25. of a proud heart—literally,
"puffed up of soul"—that is, self-confident, and hence
overbearing and litigious.
made fat—or,
"prosperous" (Proverbs 11:25;
Proverbs 16:20).
26. (Compare ).
walketh wisely—that is,
trusting in God ().
CHAPTER 28
.
1. A bad conscience makes men timid; the righteous are alone truly bold (Proverbs 14:26; Psalms 27:1).
2. Anarchy producing contending rulers shortens the reign of each.
but by a man . . . prolonged—or, "by a man of understanding—that is, a good ruler—he who knows or regards the right, that is, a good citizen, shall prolong (his days)." Good rulers are a blessing to the people. Bad government as a punishment for evil is contrasted with good as blessing to the good.
3. A poor man, &c.—Such, in power, exact more severely, and so leave subjects bare.
4. They that forsake . . . wicked—Wrongdoers encourage one another.
5. (Compare ). Ignorance of moral truth is due to unwillingness to know it.
6. (Compare ). Riches cannot compensate for sin, nor the want of them affect integrity.
7. (Compare ).
riotous men—or, "gluttons" (Proverbs 23:20; Proverbs 23:21).
8. usury . . . unjust gain—(Compare Margin). The two terms, meaning nearly the same, may denote excessive interest. God's providence directs the proper use of wealth.
9. (Compare Proverbs 15:8; Proverbs 21:27).
hearing—that is, obeying. God requires sincere worshippers (Psalms 66:18; John 4:24).
10. (Compare ).
11. A poor but wise man can discover (and expose) the rich and self-conceited.
12. great glory—or, cause for it to a people, for the righteous rejoice in good, and righteousness exalts a nation (Proverbs 14:34).
a man . . . hidden—that is, the good retire, or all kinds try to escape a wicked rule.
13. (Compare ). Concealment of sin delivers none from God's wrath, but He shows mercy to the humble penitent ().
14. feareth—that is, God, and so repents.
hardeneth his heart—makes himself insensible to sin, and so will not repent (Proverbs 14:16; Proverbs 29:1).
15. The rapacity and cruelty of such beasts well represent some wicked men (compare Psalms 7:2; Psalms 17:12).
16. The prince . . . understanding—that is, He does not perceive that oppression jeopards his success. Covetousness often produces oppression, hence the contrast.
17. doeth violence . . . blood, c.—or, that is oppressed by the blood of life (), which he has taken.
to the pit—the grave or destruction (Proverbs 1:12 Job 33:18-24; Psalms 143:7).
stay him—sustain or deliver him.
18. (Compare Proverbs 10:9; Proverbs 17:20). Double dealing is eventually fatal.
19. (Compare Proverbs 10:4; Proverbs 20:4).
vain persons—idle, useless drones, implying that they are also wicked (Proverbs 12:11; Psalms 26:4).
20. maketh haste . . . rich—implying deceit or fraud (Proverbs 20:21), and so opposed to "faithful" or reliable.
21. respect of persons— (). Such are led to evil by the slightest motive.
22. (Compare ).
evil eye—in the general sense of Proverbs 23:6, here more specific for covetousness (compare Proverbs 22:9; Matthew 20:15).
poverty . . . him—by God's providence.
23. (Compare Proverbs 9:8; Proverbs 9:9; Proverbs 27:5). Those benefited by reproof will love their monitors.
24. (Compare ). Such, though heirs, are virtually thieves, to be ranked with highwaymen.
25. of a proud heart—literally, "puffed up of soul"—that is, self-confident, and hence overbearing and litigious.
made fat—or, "prosperous" (Proverbs 11:25; Proverbs 16:20).
26. (Compare ).
walketh wisely—that is, trusting in God ().
27. (Compare ).
hideth his eyes—as the face (Psalms 27:9; Psalms 69:17), denotes inattention.
28. The elevation of the wicked to power drives men to seek refuge from tyranny (compare Proverbs 28:12; Proverbs 11:10; Psalms 12:8).