PROVERBS CHAPTER 21 THE KING'S HEART; his very inward purposes and inclinations, which seem to be most in a man's own power, and out of the reach of all others, and much more his tongue and hand, and all his outward actions. He names _kings_ not to exclude other men, but because they are more arbitr... [ Continue Reading ]
This was said PROVERBS 16:2, where it is explained, and is here repeated, either for the great importance and usefulness of it, or because he perceived that the Israelites were very prone to self-deceit.... [ Continue Reading ]
JUSTICE AND JUDGMENT; the conscientious performance of all our duties to men. THAN SACRIFICE; than the most costly outward services offered to God, joined with the neglect of our moral duties to God or men. The same thing is affirmed 1 SAMUEL 15:22 HOSEA 6:6 MICAH 6:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
AN HIGH LOOK; one gesture or sign of pride put for all the rest, PROVERBS 6:17. A PROUD HEART; pride lurking and reigning in the heart, though it do not discover itself to men by outward actions, but be disguised with a show of humility, it is frequently. THE PLOUGHING; either, 1. Strictly and prop... [ Continue Reading ]
THE DILIGENT, who carefully and industriously prosecutes what he hath wisely contrived and resolved. THAT IS HASTY; who manageth his affairs rashly, without due consideration. ONLY TO WANT; is likely to bring himself to poverty.... [ Continue Reading ]
BY A LYING TONGUE; by false witness-hearing, or by any other false or deceitful words or actions, whereby many men get riches. IS A VANITY TOSSED TO AND FRO; is like the chaff or smoke driven away by the wind; it is neither satisfactory nor durable, but quickly vanisheth away, as hath been frequentl... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ROBBERY OF THE WICKED SHALL DESTROY THEM; the injury which they do to others shall either by God or men be returned upon their own heads. They refuse to do judgment; they wilfully and obstinately give up themselves to unrighteous practices.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WAY OF MAN; the course of his life. _Of man_; of every man; of man by nature and in his corrupt estate; of a wicked or impure man, to whom the pure is opposed in the next clause. STRANGE; estranged from God and from man's primitive integrity, and from the rule of his actions, reason and Scriptur... [ Continue Reading ]
TO DWELL, to wit, alone in quietness, as appears from the opposite clause. OF THE HOUSE-TOP; of the roof of the house, which in those countries was flat and plain, and habitable, but was exposed to all the injuries of the weather. In a WIDE HOUSE; or, in a common house; or, a house of society, where... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SOUL OF THE WICKED DESIRETH EVIL; HIS HEART IS FULLY AND EARNESTLY SET IN HIM, as it is expressed, ECCLESIASTES 8:11, to do evil, to work wickedness, to do mischief to others, to satisfy his own lusts, though it be with injury of others. HIS NEIGHBOUR FINDETH NO FAVOUR IN HIS EYES, if he either... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SIMPLE; the honest or plain-hearted man, as PROVERBS 19:25, where this whole verse for the substance of it is contained and explained. INSTRUCTED; or, _prospers_, as this word is used, PROVERBS 17:8, and elsewhere. So the sense of the verse is, The simple learn wisdom, both from the punishment o... [ Continue Reading ]
WISELY CONSIDERETH THE HOUSE OF THE WICKED; he looketh through its present power and glory (which dazzleth the eyes of others) unto that ruin to which it is designed. But, or now, or that, this being the thing which he wisely considereth, GOD OVERTHROWETH, or will overthrow in his due time, though f... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSO STOPPETH HIS EARS AT THE CRY OF THE POOR, when they cry out by reason of oppression or want, and beg relief from him, he also shall cry himself unto God or men, in his straits which God will bring upon him.... [ Continue Reading ]
A GIFT, to a person offended and angry with us, as the following words show. IN SECRET; which makes it more acceptable; for gifts openly given savour of ostentation in the giver, and cause some shame or contempt to the receiver. IN THE BOSOM; secretly conveyed into his bosom. SEE POOLE ON "PROVERBS... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS JOY TO THE JUST: the sense is either, 1. He is highly pleased and delighted with it. Or, 2. He reapeth much comfort and benefit by it, which is opposed to the following destruction: _joy_ is put for matter or _cause of joy_. TO DO JUDGMENT; to do what is just or good, for this is opposed to... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MAN THAT WANDERETH OUT OF THE WAY OF UNDERSTANDING; that forsaketh the rule of God's word, and walketh after his own lusts; SHALL REMAIN IN THE CONGREGATION OF THE DEAD; shall, without repentance, be condemned to eternal death or damnation.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT LOVETH PLEASURE, that gives up himself to the pursuit and enjoyment of sensual and immoderate pleasures, SHALL BE A POOR MAN; takes the ready course to poverty. WINE AND OIL are put for all delicious fare and luxurious feasting; for wine and oil were much used in feasts in those parts.... [ Continue Reading ]
The wicked shall be brought into those troubles which were either threatened by God or designed by wicked men against the righteous, and by that means, as by a ransom, the righteous shall be delivered. Thus Achan was a ransom for Israel, JOSHUA 7:26, and Haman for Mordecai.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAN, understand, _in a wide house_, as it is expressed above, PROVERBS 21:9, and as the opposition here requires.... [ Continue Reading ]
Wise men lay up all necessary and desirable treasures for their own use, and for their children and families. OIL is particularly mentioned, partly because that was a considerable part of their wealth and treasures in those countries, of which see DEUTERONOMY 7:13, DEUTERONOMY 28:40,51 JUD 9:9 MICAH... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT FOLLOWETH AFTER; that fervently desires, and diligently and constantly endeavours, to attain to them, for such shall and will certainly obtain them. RIGHTEOUSNESS AND MERCY; living in the constant exercise of these virtues. FINDETH; shall obtain from God what is right and due to him; either fro... [ Continue Reading ]
A WISE MAN SEALETH THE CITY OF THE MIGHTY; wisdom and policy is ofttimes more considerable and powerful than strength. THE STRENGTH OF THE CONFIDENCE THEREOF; the strongest forts, to which the citizens trust most for their defence.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSO KEEPETH HIS MOUTH AND HIS TONGUE from offensive and provoking speeches, keepeth his soul, his person, from troubles; which a licentious and abusive tongue frequently brings upon a man.... [ Continue Reading ]
PROUD AND HAUGHTY SCORNER IS HIS NAME; instead of that respect and glory which he seeks by such courses, he shall be branded with the title and imputation of an arrogant and scornful person, which is most contemptible and hateful to mankind. WHO DEALETH IN PROUD WRATH; who in the conduct of his affa... [ Continue Reading ]
KILLETH HIM; either, 1. Tormenteth him almost to death, whilst he passionately desires that which he sees he shall not enjoy, and will not take pains to procure. Or, 2. Exposeth him to extreme want, and so to death, or to such wicked courses, for the supply of his wants, as bring him to an untimel... [ Continue Reading ]
HE COVETETH; the slothful man, mentioned in the last verse. But because the verses in this book are for the most part independent one upon another, this clause is and may be otherwise rendered, There is that _coveteth_, &c.; or, the wicked (which may be understood from the opposition of the _righteo... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SACRIFICE; all the most glorious and costly services which they offer to God. IS ABOMINATION; God rejects and abhors them, because they are offered by such men and in such manner as God justly abhors. WHEN; or, _because_, as all the ancient translators render it, the Hebrew particle _aph_ being... [ Continue Reading ]
A FALSE WITNESS, Heb. _a witness of lies_; one who is forward to swear or speak false things, or such things as he hath not heard nor learned from others, nor seen, but devised in his own heart. SHALL PERISH; shall be severely punished, either by God or men, and shall be confounded and silenced, bec... [ Continue Reading ]
HARDENETH HIS FACE; continueth in evil courses with obstinacy and impudence, in spite of all the commands of God, or counsels of men. HE DIRECTETH HIS WAY; he ordereth his steps aright; and if at any time, he goeth awry, he doth not add rebellion to his sin, nor persist in his error, but considereth... [ Continue Reading ]
Which can prevail against the counsel and will of God.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HORSE; under which particular all warlike provisions are comprehended. SAFETY IS OF THE LORD; the success of the battle depends not upon any human strength or art, but merely upon God's providence, who gives the victory when and to whom he pleaseth, and ofttimes to those that have least reason t... [ Continue Reading ]