Proverbs 21:25

The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour. THE DESIRE OF THE SLOTHFUL KILLETH HIM (WITH DISAPPOINTED HOPES, , ENDING IN WANT OF ALL NECESSARIES, ); FOR HIS HANDS REFUSE TO LABOUR. He is always only desiring: refusing to do anything in the way of labour for the attainment of his desire ()....

Verse Proverbs 21:25. _THE DESIRE OF THE SLOTHFUL KILLETH HIM_] He desires to eat, drink, and be clothed: but as he does _not labour_, hence he dies with this desire in his heart, envying those who possess plenty through their labour and industry. Hence he is said to _covet greedily all the day long_, Proverbs 21:26, while the _righteous_, who has been _laborious_ and diligent, has enough to _eat_, and some to _spare_....

KILLETH HIM - He wastes his strength and life in unsatisfied longings for something which he has not energy to gain. The wish to do great or good things may sometimes be taken for the deed, but if the hindrance is from a man’s own sloth, it does but add to his condemnation....

EXPOSITION PROVERBS 21:1 THE KING'S HEART IS IN THE HAND OF THE LORD, AS THE RIVERS OF WATER. We are to think of the little channels used for irrigation. As these are altogether under the gardener's control, so the heart of the king, who might seem to have no superior, is directed by God. HE TURNETH IT WHITHERSOEVER HE WILL. By hidden influences and providential arrangements God disposes the monarch to order his government so as to carry out his designs, to spread around joy and plenty. The system of irrigation signified in this passage is still to be seen in Eastern lands. "Flower beds and gardens of herbs are always made at a little lower level than the surrounding ground, and are divided into small squares, a slight edging of earth banking the whole round on each side. Water is then let in, and floods the entire sur

THE DESIRE OF THE SLOTHFUL KILLETH HIM,.... His desire after food and raiment, and riches; for because he cannot have what he desires, being unwilling to work for them, it frets and vexes him to death, or puts him upon unlawful methods to obtain them, which bring him to a shameful death; see Proverbs 13:4; FOR HIS HANDS REFUSE TO LABOUR; when he is ordered by his superiors, or his wants are such as call for labour; and he seems to be willing and desirous of it, necessity obliging to it, yet he cannot bring his hands to it; these do in effect say, as Aben Ezra observes, Thou shall not do it. Maimonides says this is to be understood of sloth in seeking wisdom h. h Moreh Nevochim, par. 1. c. 34. p. 47....

CHAPTER 21 PERSONAL INSTRUCTIONS AS TO LIFE AND CONDUCT In the proverbs of this chapter the Lord is mentioned five times. “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will” Proverbs 21:1). The rivers of water are “water-courses,” the irrigation system known to the ancients, opening and shutting sluices directed the flow of the waters. Thus the Lord governs the king's heart as He directs the affairs of men. The Lord pondereth the hearts Proverbs 21:2). The same truth is stated in Proverbs 16:2; self-justification suits the natural man but the Lord testeth all hearts. How well it is to remember in all our conduct, that truth, so comforting to the believer, expr

PROVERBS 21:1. WATERCOURSES: not the natural brooks and wadys of Palestine, but the artificial irrigation canals of Egypt or Babylonia, which could be diverted in any direction at will. Proverbs 21:4. Apparently two unconnected lines belonging to different couplets. A connexion can be established only by forced exegesis. The Heb. is lit. lofty of look and arrogant of heart, the tillage of the wicked is sin. RV lamp for tillage depends on a different pointing, but does not improve the sense. Proverbs 21:6. Lit. The getting of treasures by a lying tongue (is) a driven breath, seekers of death. RV clearly inserts more than the text warrants to make sense of...

_the desire of the slothful killeth him_ This may mean either (_a_) his desire for slothful inaction brings him to want and starvation, because through its indulgence (as the 2nd clause of the verse explains) his hands refuse to do the work by which maintenance is to be obtained; or (_b_) his desire for the necessaries and comforts of life, or even for nobler things, wears him out with unsatisfied longings. Comp. Proverbs 21:26 below and Proverbs 13:4; Proverbs 19:24. "Idleness is ruin; the soul rusts away, like the sword in Hudibras, which -ate into itself for lack Of something else to hew and hack." " Horton....

DISCOURSE: 803 DESIRE IS NOTHING WITHOUT LABOUR Proverbs 21:25. _The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour_. IT is the duty of a minister to “comfort the Lord’s people,” and on no account to “make the heart of the righteous sad.” Our blessed Lord “brake not the bruised reed, nor quenched the smoking flax:” and in this respect all who minister in his name must follow his example, never “despising the day of small things,” but “carrying the lambs in their bosom, and gently leading them that are with young.” But there are occasions whereon they “must change their voice, especially when they stand in doubt of any,” or judge it necessary to give a salutary warning to their flocks. Now there is an error against which I would wish affectionately to guard you, and that is, the laying of an undue stress upon good desires without pressing forward fo

TEXT Proverbs 21:21-31 21. He that followeth after righteousness and kindness Findeth life, righteousness, and honor. 22. A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, And bringeth down the strength of the confidence thereof. 23. Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from troubles. 24. The proud and haughty man, scoffer is his name; He worketh in the arrogance of pride. 25. The desire of the sluggard killeth him; For his hands refuse to labor. 26. There is that coveteth greedily all the day long; But the righteous giveth and withholdeth not. 27. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; How much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind! 28. A false witness shall perish; But the man that heareth shall speak so as t