Proverbs 24
DOYLYProverbs 24:5
- — a man of knowledge increaseth strength.] A man of knowledge and understanding imparts a great increase of strength and defence to the whole city or community in which he is. Bp. Hall.
Proverbs 24:7
- Wisdom is too high for a fool:] Wisdom is too high for a vain or inconsiderate person duly to value, and consequently to take sufficient pains to attain; whence it is, that he “openeth not his mouth in the gate,” never becomes a judge or publick magistrate. Dr. Wells.
Proverbs 24:9
- The thought of foolishness is sin:] He that is wickedly foolish entertains commonly no thoughts but sinful. Bp. Hall.
— the scorner is an abomination to men.] It is worthy of remark that Solomon frequently exhorts us not to be scorners or scoffers in religion. Such persons he considers as the worst sort of sinners, as incurable fools and reprobates. The scorner, if he be in a mean and poor condition, does all the mischief he can in his narrow sphere of action; if he be in an exalted station, he is a publick curse and a national calamity. Dr. Jortin.
Proverbs 24:11
11, 12. If thou forbear &c.] The sum of the instruction conveyed in these verses is, that every man, according to his place and power, and especially those who are armed with any publick authority, are bound, both in charity and in justice, to use the utmost of their power, and to embrace all lawful opportunities, by all lawful means, to help those to right that suffer wrong; to stand by their poorer brethren and neighbours in the day of calamity and distress, to defend them in their righteous causes, to protect them from injuries, and to deliver them out of the hands of those who are too mighty, or too crafty, for them, who seek, either by violence or cunning, to deprive them of their lives or livelihoods. Bp. Sanderson.
Proverbs 24:13
- — eat thou honey, &c.] The wise man shews with what pleasure the instructions of wisdom should be
Before CHRIST about 1000. in strength. strengtheneth might. c Chap. 11. 14. & 15. 22. & 20. 18. narrow. d Ps. 82. 4. e Job 34. 11. Ps. 62 12. Jer. 32 19. Rom. 2. 6. Rev. 22 12. thy palate. Moral virtues, and their contrary vices. Before CHRIST about 1000. f Ps. 19. 10. & 119. 103. g Chap. 23. 18. h Ps. 34. 19. & 37. 24. Job 5. 19. i Ps. 35. 15. ch. 17. 5. Job 31. 29. evil in his eyes. k Ps. 37. 1. ch. 23. 17. l Or. Keep not company with the wicked. l Chap. 13. 9. Job 31. 17. l Or. lamp. changers. m Lev. 19. 15. ch. 18. 5. & 28. 21. Deuteronomy 1. 17. & 16. 19. John 7. 24. n Chap. 17. 15. Isa. 5. 23.
Proverbs 24:16
- For a just man falleth seven times,] Rather, “Though a just man falleth seven times, yet will he rise again.” Dr. Darell. A righteous man, if he fall into manifold miseries and calamities, yet through the goodness of God, shall be delivered out of them all. Bp. Hall. 18. Lest the Lord see it, &c. Lest the Lord see thy inward gladness, which man cannot see, and such a sinful and unreasonable feeling displease Him, and “he turn away his wrath” from the wicked man, and transfer it on thee. Dr. Wells. 21.—and meddle not with them that are given to change.] And have nothing to do with those, whose discontent with the present state of things, or continual love of novelty, makes them desire a change of government, and depart from their duty both to God and man. Bp. Patrick.
Proverbs 24:26
- Every man shall kiss his lips &c.] Every good man shall applaud and bless the mouth of him who giveth an upright sentence in judgment. Bp. Hall. 27. Prepare thy work without, &c. Get thy estate in good order, and then go, build thy house. 28. —and deceive not with thy lips. The word which we render “deceive” signifies, in the original, any damage, any inconvenience, brought upon a man in the way of slander, calumny, backsliding, or any other injurious manner of representing him. We must consider every degree of this sin as forbidden in the precept. Dr. S. Clarke.
Proverbs 24:29
- Say not, I will do so to him &c.] That is, whether revenge, or any other feeling, be the temptation to the practice, the sin itself is of the deepest die, and condemned amongst the most detestable crimes, both by reason and Scripture. Dr. S. Clarke.
Proverbs 24:31
31.—and the stone wall] Stone walls were frequently used for the preservation of vineyards, as well as living fences. Van Egmont and Heyman, describing the country round about Saphet, a celebrated city of Galilee, tell us, “the country round is finely improved, the decisory being covered with vines supported by low walls.” Harmer.
Proverbs 24:33
33, 34. Yet a little sleep, &c.] See before at chap. vi. 10, 11.