_A.M. 3004. B.C. 1000._ In this chapter Solomon seems to illustrate more fully what he had delivered in the conclusion of the foregoing, (Proverbs 8:32,) concerning the satisfaction and happiness they might expect to find, who would attend at the gates, and submit themselves to the government of th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wisdom_, &c. Wisdom here, under a most splendid allegory, is represented “as a queen, sitting in her royal palace, and inviting mortals to a banquet, plentifully furnished with the richest dainties, that they may be fed with celestial delights for a blessed immortality. Various have been the endeav... [ Continue Reading ]
_She hath killed her beasts_ That is, made provision for her guests: namely, instruction in things the most important, satisfying, improving, and consolatory truths, declarations, and promises; refreshing, cheering, and exhilarating discoveries and communications. If applied to the church of Christ,... [ Continue Reading ]
_She hath sent forth her maidens_ Her servants, to invite the guests, namely, the ministers of the word of God, whom he calls _maidens_, for the decency of the parable; for Wisdom being compared to a great princess, it was fit she should be attended on by maidens. _She crieth upon the highest places... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whoso is simple_ Ignorant, weak, and liable to be deceived, but willing to learn; _let him turn in hither_ For there is no man so ignorant but he is welcome to come and receive instruction. By this manner of speaking, Wisdom shows that she rejects those scholars who are proud and self-conceited. _A... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that reproveth a scorner_ “This and the following verse supply us with a reason for the conduct of wisdom, in addressing herself only to the simple. She invites not the pretendedly wise, those who think they are ignorant of nothing; to invite them to the feast of wisdom, would be to expose herse... [ Continue Reading ]
_Reprove not a scorner_ An incorrigible sinner, who despises and scornfully rejects the means of amendment. Thus physicians deny physic to persons in a desperate condition; _lest he hate thee_ Whereby thou wilt not only expose thyself, without necessity, to his malice and rage, but also make thyself... [ Continue Reading ]
_The fear of the Lord_, &c. The very first, and, indeed, the principal thing which is to be instilled into all men's minds, (without which they will make no progress in true wisdom,) is a serious sense of the Divine Majesty, and an awful regard toward him. And next, that no knowledge deserves the na... [ Continue Reading ]
_A foolish woman_, &c. “Here we have another allegorical picture, describing folly under the person of a harlot, who fascinates with her enticements, and offers also her dainties to her guests; but dainties tainted with the most subtle poison.” The Hebrew, אשׁת כסילות, is literally, _the woman of fo... [ Continue Reading ]
_She sitteth at the door of her house_ Which denotes her idleness and impudence, and her diligence in watching for occasions of sin. _To call passengers_ Who were going innocently and directly about their own business, without any unchaste design.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whoso is simple_ Which title is not given to them by her; for such a reproach would not have allured them, but driven them away; but by Solomon, who represents the matter of her invitation in his own words, that he might discover the truth of it, and thereby dissuade and deter those whom she invite... [ Continue Reading ]