XXV. 7. THE THIRD GREAT DIVISION OF THE BOOK; ANOTHER COLLECTION OF SOLOMONIC PROVERBS, CHIEFLY PARABOLIC IN CHARACTER (Proverbs 25-29). (1) THESE ARE ALSO PROVERBS OF SOLOMON, WHICH THE MEN OF HEZEKIAH COPIED OUT. — To this time they had existed, it may be, partly by oral tradition, partly in wr... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS THE GLORY OF GOD TO CONCEAL A THING. — For the more we search into the mysteries of nature or revelation, the more do we discover depths of which we had no idea before. God has so ordered things that man may not presume _to_ measure himself with his Maker, but may recognise his own insignifica... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HEART OF KINGS IS UNSEARCHABLE. — A warning, it may be, against presuming upon the favour of a king from thinking that one knows all that is in his mind. (Comp. Proverbs 23:1.)... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THERE SHALL COME FORTH A VESSEL FOR THE FINER. — OR, _So there results a vessel to the refiner,_ or silversmith. He is able to make one.... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS THRONE SHALL BE ESTABLISHED IN RIGHTEOUSNESS — whereas violence and wrong pull it down. (Jeremiah 21:12; Jeremiah 22:3, _sqq._; Zechariah 7:9, _sqq._)... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE PRESENCE OF THE PRINCE WHOM THINE EYES HAVE SEEN, and whose place thou hast shamelessly taken. The same lesson was repeated by our Lord in Luke 14:10, _sqq., and_ enforced on the ground of His own example. (Matthew 20:25, _sqq._)... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THY NEIGHBOUR HATH PUT THEE TO SHAME. — Proved thee to be in the wrong, and won his cause against thee.... [ Continue Reading ]
DEBATE THY CAUSE WITH THY NEIGHBOUR. — As our Lord says, “If thy brother trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone” (Matthew 18:15). Or it may mean, “If you must go to law with another, do not drag others into the matter by disclosing their secrets in order to help... [ Continue Reading ]
LEST HE THAT HEARETH IT PUT THEE TO SHAME. — Lest he cry shame upon thee for thy treachery, and thine infamy be not forgotten.... [ Continue Reading ]
A WORD FITLY SPOKEN. — Or, it may be, _at the proper time._ (Comp. Proverbs 15:23.) APPLES OF GOLD IN PICTURES OF SILVER. — Probably golden-coloured apples are meant, or fruit of the same tint, such as pomegranates, citrons, or oranges. “Pictures” of silver probably means “figures,” _i.e.,_ baskets... [ Continue Reading ]
AS THE COLD OF SNOW IN THE TIME OF HARVEST. — Not a snowstorm, as this would be a calamity (Proverbs 26:1), but snow employed to cool drinks in the summer heats. The use of this was probably familiar to Solomon in his summer palace at Lebanon (1 Kings 9:19). The peasants of Lebanon are said now to s... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSO BOASTETH HIMSELF OF A FALSE GIFT — _i.e.,_ talks loudly of what he is going to do for another, and then does nothing. CLOUDS AND WIND. — Generally followed by heavy rain, (Comp. 1 Kings 18:45.)... [ Continue Reading ]
HAST THOU FOUND HONEY? — A common occurrence in Palestine, where swarms of wild bees abounded in the woods. (Comp. Judges 14:8; 1 Samuel 14:27.) Hence came the expression of a “land flowing with (milk and) honey.”... [ Continue Reading ]
A MAUL — _i.e., hammer,_ connected with “malleus” and “mallet.” A false witness is as mischievous as the most deadly weapons.... [ Continue Reading ]
AS VINEGAR UPON NITRE, by which the nitre is rendered useless. IS HE THAT SINGETH SONGS TO AN HEAVY HEART. — Not the true sympathy advised by St. Paul. (Romans 12:15.)... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT HEAP COALS OF FIRE ON HIS HEAD. — Thou shalt make him burn with shame at the thought of the wrong he has done thee. Thus, to bring a sinner to repentance is well-pleasing to the Lord, who shall reward thee for it. This is better far than to indulge resentment, which must bring sorrow to o... [ Continue Reading ]
THE NORTH WIND DRIVETH AWAY RAIN. — The marginal rendering is probably more correct: “The north wind bringeth forth rain;_”_ but as this seems to be opposed to Job 37:22, it has been thought that the north-west, which is a rainy wind, must be intended here. SO DOTH AN ANGRY COUNTENANCE A BACKBITING... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS BETTER TO DWELL IN THE CORNER OF THE HOUSETOP. — See above on Proverbs 21:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
GOOD NEWS FROM A FAR COUNTRY. — This is suggestive of the little communication which in old times took place between distant countries.... [ Continue Reading ]
A RIGHTEOUS MAN FALLING DOWN BEFORE THE WICKED... — The mouth of the righteous was described (Proverbs 10:11) as a “well of life,” from the comfort and refreshment it brings to the weary- through the just and kindly counsel it offers. But if the righteous man yields to the pressure put upon him by t... [ Continue Reading ]
SO FOR MEN TO SEARCH THEIR OWN GLORY IS NOT GLORY. — The sense of this passage is very doubtful. It may mean, “But to search into difficult matters is an honour.” Self-indulgence and study are here contrasted.... [ Continue Reading ]
LIKE A CITY THAT IS BROKEN DOWN, AND WITHOUT WALLS. — Exposed to the assault of every temptation.... [ Continue Reading ]