Proverbs 24

Chap. XXIV. Ver. 1—34. Cautions against envy and fretfulness, with exhortations to the study of wisdom.—The first caution here, is against being envious of the prosperity of the wicked, against which the wise man’s father had so well argued in the beginning of the 37th Psalm. Solomon argues, that wisdom is riches, and strength, and power. It builds the house, and stores it with true wealth; and is even the best defence in war, because it furnishes able counsellors. But wisdom is out of the reach of fools, who are not able to open their lips before the elders and wise men in the gate of the city, where they were wont to assemble. “The thought of foolishness is sin.”—This is a maxim that requires some explanation.

Solomon’s fool is not a simple, well-meaning man; but one whose heart is corrupt, and his actions stained by immorality; his thoughts, therefore, arising from a corrupt heart, and leading to such immoral conduct, must be sinful, and no doubt tainted with infidelity. The two following precepts (ver. 11, 12,) are, as Melancthon remarks, evidently addressed to magistrates, or persons of influence, who are forbidden to connive at injustice and violence; with the assurance that the Most High will not connive at them. (See (Psalms 82)) The remark (ver. 16.) that ‘a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again,’ has occasioned some controversy; and though it be true indeed of moral failures, (for ‘there is no man that sinneth not,’ (1 Kings 8:46).) yet that does not appear to be the sense of this passage, as we infer from the context, wherein the wicked is warned not to lay wait for the righteous; for though he may succeed in his villany for a time, he shall finally be punished. The righteous may fall under his power time after time, but he shall rise again; but when the wicked fall, he falls into utter ruin. (See Note.) The close of the chapter contains one of the most beautiful pictures ever drawn by the pen of Solomon, that of the Sluggard: and the best commentary on it that we have seen, is Watts’ inimitable hymn, “’Tis the voice of the sluggard, I heard him complain,” &c. which is, or ought to be, learned by every child.