Proverbs 19

Chap. XIX. Ver. 1—29. Farther miscellaneous apothegms.— In several of the proverbs in the early part of this chapter, integrity, knowledge, and truth, are contrasted with riches and folly: and the poor man who is honest, intelligent, and pious is preferred before the rich man who is ignorant, perverse, and fretful. Yet, such is the state of the world, that Wealth maketh many friends, while Poverty scatters them: still, in the sight of God and good men, wisdom is better than folly; and “he that getteth and keepeth understanding,” shall find good in the end. Industry, charity, and parental discipline, are favourite topics with Solomon, especially the latter, of which he appears to have seen and felt the great importance, and probably regretted his own neglect in the case of his son Rehoboam, who, in many respects, answered to the character of the fool which he so well describes.

“Chasten,” or “correct thy son while there is hope,” implies that parental discipline should begin early to have its proper effect; for when habits of insubordination are formed, the task is almost hopeless. Of the latter clause, the margin seems to direct to the preferable interpretation: “Let not thy soul spare him to his own ruin,” when perhaps even a parent’s heart might rather wish to see him dead, than alive and criminal. (See Notes.)

Notes on the verses

Chap. XIX. Ver. 1. Better is the poor, &c.—This apothegm evidently wants point, which Holden and others give it by adding, from the parallel passage, (Proverbs 28:6). the words, ‘though he be rich,” which make the sense complete. Ver. 3. His heart fretteth.—Holden, “somewhat.” Ver. 10. Delight—Rather, “delicacy.” See (Deuteronomy 28:54, 56). Ver. 13. A continual dropping.—“The waters, by a continual dropping, wear away the stones;” so the perpetual contentions of a brawling woman wear away the peace and patience of her husband. Ver. 17. That which he hath given.—Boothroyd, “His recompense will be rendered unto him.” Ver. 18. Let not thy soul spare for his crying.—See margin. Holden, “And thy soul will not desire (Boothroyd, not lift up a wish for) his death.” Ver.

19. A man of great wrath…. If thou deliver… thou must do it again.—That is, a violent and passionate man is always getting into broils, and incurring punishment. Ver. 21. There are many devices, &c.—See (Proverbs 16:1, 9). Ver. 22. The desire—Rather, “the desirable.” Holden, “A desirable thing in man is his kindness,” and (or “but”) a poor man who can do nothing, is better than a liar, who promises and doth nothing. Ver. 24. Hideth his hand in his bosom.—Tsalaḥat is never the bosom, but a pan, dish, or bowl, such as the poor eat out of with their hands, (2 Kings 21:23); (2 Chronicles 35:13). See Orient. Cust. No. 201. The idle man dippeth his [hand] in the dish for soup, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth. Ver.

20. He that wasteth his father.—Holden, “Pereth his father, or driveth away his father’s,” &c. See Ver. 27. The instruction…. to err.—That is, to hear erroneous teachers. The supplementary words seem unnecessary.