_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 ]