Proverbs 14

Chap. XIV. Ver.1—35. More general observations.—* As the foregoing chapter began with the character of a wise son, so this with that of a good mother, who, by her prudent care makes the family flourish, when a foolish woman throws all into confusion and distress: for so the wise man observes, “She pulls down the house with her own hands,” that is, ruins the family without any other help. There needs no more than a bad wife to undo a family.” Bishop Patrick. In the sixth verse, Solomon observes, ‘A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not;” on which the great Lord Bacon hath made this useful gloss: ‘He that comes to seek after knowledge, with a mind (disposed) to scorn and censure, shall be sure to find matter atte § for his humour, but none for his instruction:”

the grand reason of which is, the want of that humble disposition which our Lord declares necessary to constitute a disciple of Wisdom’s school, and a subject of the Saviour’s kingdom. ((Mark 10:15).) He that would be truly wise, must not be wise in his own conceit. One other passage is too important to be passed over: “The backslider in heart,” who secretly revolts from God and turns back into the ways of sin, “shall be filled with his own ways:” he shall “toss enough of it,” as we proverbially say: he shall “eat of the fruit of his own doings, and be filled with his own devices,” ((Proverbs 1:31).) and the good man who perseveres in the way of truth and righteousness, he also shall “be satisfied from himself;”

or rather, as Holden and Dr. Boothroyd render it, ‘from his ways:” that is, the testimony of a good man and the assurance of the divine favour and | Chap. XV. Ver. 1-33. More general observations—This | chapter opens with wise counsels as to the use and government of the tongue—an art of no little difficulty and importance. Some excellent instructions are then given relative to public worship. “The sacrifice of the wicked,” however large, however costly, “is an abomination to the Lord,” because the offerer himself, while a wicked man, cannot be accepted. Nor is there any possibility of deceiving the Almighty: “For hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?”

(Comp. (Psalms 39)) When “a merry heart” is recommended, we must not understand it of a giddy or a thoughtless heart, but a cheerful and contented one, in opposition to that ‘sorrow of heart” which breaks and overwhelms the spirit. ‘is destitute of wisdom.”—“A word spoken in (ver. 21.) due season,” may be either a word of admonition or of consolation > the former may save i (See (Proverbs 25:11).)

Notes on the verses

Chap. XIV. Ver. 3, Is rod (or branch) of pride.—According to the language or character of persons, the Hebrews represent a sword, or a rod, or branch, as it were growing out of the mouth. The former intends spiteful and malicious words; this, probably, vapouring and empty language. Ver. 6. To him that understandeth.—Rather, To him that hath understanding;” (Holden,) i. e. who hath been divinely taught. Ver. 30, A sound heart.—That is, “an honest and good heart.” (Luke 8:15). Ver. 32. Driven away in his wickedness.—God has frequently illustrated the truth of this solemn threatening. The last hours of Altamont, of Newport, and of Voltaire, are a striking comment. But in the destruction of the leaders, in the reign of terror, during the French revolution, we see God fulfilling his own word.

Says Sir Walter Scott, in his Life of Napoleon, “The Hotel de Ville, was surrounded by about 1500 men, and cannon turned upon the doors. The deserted group of Terrorists within, conducted themselves like scorpions, which, when surrounded by a circle of fire, are said to turn their stings on each other, and on themselves. Mutual and ferocious upbraiding took place among these miserable men. ‘Wretch, were these the means you promised to furnish?’ said Payan to Henriot, whom he found intoxicated and incapable of resolution or exertion; and seizing on him as he spoke, he precipitated the revolutionary general from a window. Henriot survived the fall only to drag himself into a drain, in which he was afterwards discovered and brought out to execution.

The younger Robespierre threw himself from the window, but had not the good fortune to perish on the spot. It seemed as if even the melancholy fate of suicide, the last refuge of guilt and despair, was denied to men who had so long refused every species of mercy to their fellow creatures. Las Bas alone had calmness enough to dispatch himself with a pistol shot. Saint Just, after imploring his comrades to kill him, attempted his own life with an irresolute hand, and failed. Couthon lay beneath the table, brandishing a knife, with which he repeatedly wounded his bosom, without daring to add force enough to reach his heart. Their chief, Robespierre, in an unsuccessful attempt to shoot himself, had only inflicted a horrible fracture on his under jaw.

In this situation they were found like wolves in a lair, foul with blood, mutilated, despairing, and yet not able to die! Robespierre lay on a table in an ante-room, his head supported by a deal box, and his hideous countenance, half hidden by a bloody and dirty cloth bound round the shattered chin. When led forth to execution, the wretch yelled aloud, to the horror of the spectators. r: Ver. 33. That which is in the midst, &c.—That is, a fool soon discovers his own emptiness. Cul Chap. XV. Ver. 4. A wholesome tongue.—See margin; Or, as Boothroyd, “The healing tongue.” Ver. 10. Correction.—" Instruction.” So it is rendered, ch. i. 2, and below, ver. 32, 33. ‘The word bears both senses.: Ver. 11.

Hell and destruction.—See (Job 26:6), and note. Ver. 13. A merry.—A lively, rejoicing heart. So ver. 15. Ver. 17. A dinner of herbs.—That is, sallads.—A stalled ox.—An ox fatted in the stall. Ver. 23. In due season.—Hebrew, “In its season;” opportunely, perti- The way of life is above.—That is, elevated as a causey. See Ver. 24. verse 19, Ver. 27. Greedy of gain.—[He that will be rich is a torment to himself and a curse to those with whom he family by his avariciousness and penury, o the deals.——Hateth gifts, &c.—He who hateth whatever is given to pervert the judgment. | —Bagsier. Maketh the bones fat.—That is, makes a man cheerful and con- Ver. 30. Ver. 32. He that heareth.—‘Obeyeth the truth, possesseth a heart;”’

the heart being understood to be the seat of knowledge. VI. Ver. 4. The Lord hath made.—Not “created,” but “prepared,” Chap. XV as (Exodus 15:17). (Psalms 31:19). Gill’s Cause of God provided, appointed;” i Ver. 10. A divine sentence.—This had reference, probably, to what has been called “The judgment of Solomon,” (1 Kings 3:28). ‘0. 199, new Messengers of death.—The king’s executioners. See Orient. Cust. Ver. 15. As a cloud of the latter rain—which promises an abundant harvest. Bishop Patrick. Ver. 21. The sweetness of the lips—is eloquence, which, if it do not increase the learning of the speaker, wonderfully increases his reputation for it with the hearers. Compare ver. 23, Ver 22. Well-spring.—(Or, “a fountain of life,”

that is, according to the Hebrew idiom a living fountain, or a well supplied by a perennial spring, contrasted with one of those cisterns in which rain water is caught.)—Bag- Ver. 28. He that laboureth.—“The soul of the labourer laboureth for himself; for his mouth boweth unto him.” Holden, “Layeth this burden on him.” So Boothroyd. M: Ver. 27. An ungodly man diggeth up evil;—i. e. studies and labours to find some ground of contention or revenge. Ver. 30. Moving his lips.—That is, muttering slanders. ae” ane - The whole disposing thereof.—Bishop Lowth, ‘The determination of it,” &c.