--- title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 28" description: "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 ru" image: "/images/missing.jpg" url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/proverbs/28" --- CHAPTER 28 . **1.** A bad conscience makes men timid; the righteous are alone truly bold ([Proverbs 14:26](../../../kjv/proverbs/14/26); [Psalms 27:1](../../../kjv/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](../../../kjv/proverbs/23/20); [Proverbs 23:21](../../../kjv/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](../../../kjv/proverbs/15/8); [Proverbs 21:27](../../../kjv/proverbs/21/27)). **hearing**—that is, obeying. God requires sincere worshippers ([Psalms 66:18](../../../kjv/psalms/66/18); [John 4:24](../../../kjv/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](../../../kjv/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](../../../kjv/proverbs/14/16); [Proverbs 29:1](../../../kjv/proverbs/29/1)). **15.** The rapacity and cruelty of such beasts well represent some wicked men (compare [Psalms 7:2](../../../kjv/psalms/7/2); [Psalms 17:12](../../../kjv/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](../../../kjv/proverbs/1/12) [Job 33:18-24](../../../kjv/job/33/18-24); [Psalms 143:7](../../../kjv/psalms/143/7)). **stay him**—sustain or deliver him. **18.** (Compare [Proverbs 10:9](../../../kjv/proverbs/10/9); [Proverbs 17:20](../../../kjv/proverbs/17/20)). Double dealing is eventually fatal. **19.** (Compare [Proverbs 10:4](../../../kjv/proverbs/10/4); [Proverbs 20:4](../../../kjv/proverbs/20/4)). **vain persons**—idle, useless drones, implying that they are also wicked ([Proverbs 12:11](../../../kjv/proverbs/12/11); [Psalms 26:4](../../../kjv/psalms/26/4)). **20. maketh haste . . . rich**—implying deceit or fraud ([Proverbs 20:21](../../../kjv/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](../../../kjv/proverbs/23/6), here more specific for covetousness (compare [Proverbs 22:9](../../../kjv/proverbs/22/9); [Matthew 20:15](../../../kjv/matthew/20/15)). **poverty . . . him**—by God's providence. **23.** (Compare [Proverbs 9:8](../../../kjv/proverbs/9/8); [Proverbs 9:9](../../../kjv/proverbs/9/9); [Proverbs 27:5](../../../kjv/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](../../../kjv/proverbs/11/25); [Proverbs 16:20](../../../kjv/proverbs/16/20)). **26.** (Compare ). **walketh wisely**—that is, trusting in God (). **27.** (Compare ). **hideth his eyes**—as the face ([Psalms 27:9](../../../kjv/psalms/27/9); [Psalms 69:17](../../../kjv/psalms/69/17)), denotes inattention. **28.** The elevation of the wicked to power drives men to seek refuge from tyranny (compare [Proverbs 28:12](../../../kjv/proverbs/28/12); [Proverbs 11:10](../../../kjv/proverbs/11/10); [Psalms 12:8](../../../kjv/psalms/12/8)). ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#website","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com","name":"Real Bible Believers","description":"RBB","publisher":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/search?q={search_term_string}","query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/proverbs/28#primaryimage","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/images/missing.jpg","contentUrl":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/images/missing.jpg","width":640,"height":370,"caption":"Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 28"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/proverbs/28#webpage","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/proverbs/28","name":"Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 28","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/proverbs/28#primaryimage"},"datePublished":null,"dateModified":null,"author":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509"},"description":"CHAPTER 28 :-. 1. 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