1.
The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
the rivers of water. Hebrew. palgey mayim = the divisions of water [in a garden], from palag, to divide (Genesis 10:25 ). The name given to the small channels which divide up an Eastern (walled) garden for purposes of irrigation. See note on "rivers", Psalms 1:3 . There is an Ellipsis in the second clause, and the verb must be supplied thus: The king's heart [is] in the hand of Jehovah, As the palgey mayim [are in the hand of the gardener]. See App-74 .
He turneth, &c. i.e. Jehovah directeth [the king's heart] whithersoever He will [as the gardener directeth the water with his foot] (Deuteronomy 11:10 ), not needing or deigning to use a tool; so easily is it done. Illustrations: Ahab (1 Kings 18:10 . Compare Pro 21:40 ); Ahasuerus (Esther 6:1 ); Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:27 , 2 Kings 19:28 , and Isaiah 10:5-7 ); Nebuchadnezzar (Ezekiel 29:16 . Jeremiah 43:10-12 ); the Jews (Jeremiah 32:28 . 2 Kings 24:3 ); Cyrus (Ezra 1:1 .Isaiah 45:1; Isaiah 45:1 ); Darius (Ezra 6:22 ); Augustus (Luke 2:1-7 . Compare Micah 5:2 ).
2.
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
man. Hebrew. 'ish . App-14 .
pondereth = weigheth, and thus testeth. See all the occurrences of takan, to poise, 1 Samuel 2:3 . 2 Kings 12:11 ("told"). Job 28:25 .Psalms 75:3 (bear up). Proverbs 16:2 ; Proverbs 21:2 (pondereth); Proverbs 24:12 (pondereth). Isaiah 40:12 (meted), Isaiah 40:13 (directed). In Ezekiel the Niphal is rendered "equal": Pro 18:25 , Pro 18:29 ; Pro 18:33 .
3.
To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
justice = righteousness.
more acceptable, &c. Illustrations: Saul (1 Samuel 13:10-13 ; 1 Samuel 15:22 ); Israel (Jeremiah 7:22 , Jeremiah 7:23 .Amos 5:21-24; Amos 5:21-24 ); Judah (Isaiah 1:11-17 ); Pharisees (Matthew 9:13 ). Note the contrast, Proverbs 21:4 .
4.
An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
And. Omit this "And".
plowing: or tillage. See App-74 .
the wicked = lawless ones. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 .
sin. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 . The special word for the sin offering. Render the verse "A lofty look and a proud heart, [which is] the tillage of the lawless, [is more acceptable to them than] the sin offering. "This supply of the Ellipsis ( App-6 .) from the preceding verse completes the sense, and shows that the two are strictly related.
5.
The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
thoughts = reckonings, or calculatings.
the diligent = a diligent one.
6.
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
7.
The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
robbery = rapacity. Illustrations: the princes of Judah (Isaiah 1:23 , Isaiah 1:24 ); the Jews (Jeremiah 7:9-11 , Jeremiah 7:15 ; Jeremiah 34:10-22 .Micah 3:9-12; Micah 3:9-12 ).
8.
The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.
The way, &c. Render, "The way of a man laden with guilt is unsteady". Some codices, with Aramaean and Syriac, read "of a man who is an alien".
pure = upright.
9.
It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
better. See note on Proverbs 8:11 .
10.
The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
the wicked = a lawless one.
11.
When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
scorner = scoffer.
instructed = corrected.
12.
The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
wickedness. Hebrew. ra a'. App-44 . same as "evil" in Proverbs 21:10 .
13.
Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
poor = weak. Hebrew. dal. See note on Proverbs 6:11 .
heard = answered. Illustrations: the Jews (Zechariah 7:9-14 .Jeremiah 34:10-22; Jeremiah 34:10-22 ); Parable (Matthew 18:30-34 ).
14.
A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
15.
It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
the just = a just one.
16.
The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .
congregation = assembly.
dead = the Rephaim, who have no resurrection. See note on "deceased" and "dead" in Isaiah 26:14 , Isaiah 26:19 , and App-25 .
17.
He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
poor = destitute. Heb heser. See note on Proverbs 6:11 .
wine. Hebrew. yayin. App-27 .
18.
The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
the righteous = a righteous one.
transgressor = traitor.
19.
It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
Than, &c. Supply the Ellipsis thus: Than [in a house, or palace].
20.
There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
foolish. Hebrew. kesil. See note on Proverbs 1:7 .
spendeth it up = swalloweth it up.
21.
He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
mercy = lovingkindness, or grace.
22.
A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
casteth down. Illustrations: Joshua (Joshua 6:3-21 ; Joshua 8:4-8 ); wise woman (2 Samuel 20:16-22 . Compare Ecclesiastes 9:13-15 ).
23.
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
keepeth = guardeth.
mouth . . . tongue. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for what is uttered by them.
troubles. Some codices, with five early printed editions, Aramaean, Septuagint, and Syriac, read "trouble" (singular)
24.
Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
25.
The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
26.
He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
coveteth greedily = craving he craveth. Figure of speech Polyptoton , for emphasis.
27.
The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
mind = purpose.
28.
A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
shall perish. Illustrations: Pashur(Jeremiah 20:4-6 ); Hananiah (Jeremiah 28:1-4 , Jeremiah 28:10-17 ); the false prophets (Jeremiah 29:21 ); Shemaiah (Jeremiah 29:31 , Jeremiah 29:32 ); Amaziah (Amos 7:10-17 ).
speaketh. Supply the Ellipsis ( App-6 ), "speaketh [the truth] evermore. "
29.
A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.
30.
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
no wisdom . . . against the LORD. Illustrations: Pharaoh (Exodus 1:10 . See App-23 ); Balak (Numbers 24:10 ); Ahaziah (2 Kings 1:9-17 ); Sennacherib (2 Chronicles 32:21 ; Isaiah 30:31 ); Haman (Esther 5:11-13 ; Esther 7:10 ).
31.
The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
safety, &c. = to Jehovah [belongeth] the salvation.