Proverbs 29

Obstinacy, v.1. good and bad government, 2,4,12,14,16. Wisdom and Harlots, 1.3. flattering, 5. Evil, wicked, unrighteous and righteous men, 6,7,27. Scorners, fools and wise men, 8.11. Contention of a wise man with a fool, 9. Hatred and envy of the upright.10. Speechs, 11.20. Poor and usurers, 13. Discipline, 15,17,19,21. Prophecy, 18. Wrath, 22. Pride and humility, 23. Partner-ship with thieves, 24. Immoderate fear and confidence in God, 25 Gods providence, our Law-suits. 26.

1. A man that being often reproved, [Hebr. A man of reproof; that is, that is much and often reproved. So a man of sorrows, Isa.53.3. for him that endureth many sorrows; a man of desires, Dan.10.on ver.11. for him, that is much desired] hardeneth (his) neck, [see Exod.32.on v.9.] shall suddenly be broken, so that there be no healing (him.) [see above chap.6.on v.15.]

2. When the righteous become great, [That is, when they come to great authority, and sit in place of government, as may be gathered from the other clause of his verse. Compare 2 Kings 5,1. And 10.6. and 25.9. with the annotate. Oth. Become many, or do multiply] the people rejoice: [compare above chap.11.10. and 28.12.] but when the wicked heareth rule, the people groan. [to wit, under the burden of tyranny, wherewith they are oppressed by wicked Rulers. See an example, Exod.2.23. compare above chap.28.28.]

3. A man that loveth wisdom, rejoiceth his Father: [Compare above chap.10.1. and 15.20.] but he that is a companion of harlots [that is, a follower, nourisher and maintainer of whores. Hebr. Feeder, see above chap.13.on v.20.] spendeth (his) substance. [compare above chap.28.7. Luke 15:13.]

4. A King [To wit, that is wise and godly. See above chap.18.on verse.22.] by judgement [that is, by making and maintaining good laws, whereby the good are protected, and the wicked deservedly punished] stablisheth the land; [that is, the government, or the state of the land, and the prosperity of the inhabitants or subjects] but one that inclined to (receive) gifts, [Heb. A man of heavings, or heav-offerings. Of the Hebrew word terumah, see Lev.7.14. and Num.5.9. in the annotate. Here the same is to be understood of the heaving or lifting up of gifts, whereunto a Ruler of the Land might be prone and inclined, to shew favour unto some, without having respect unto Law or equity. The word may be also understood of the imposing of taxes, which a Prince tyrannically levieth and gathereth of his poor subjects, and thereby greatly burdeneth and oppresseth them.] troubleth it.

5. A man that flattereth his neighbour, [To wit, by praising him excessively, by favouring and sparing him in his sins, and by closely provoking & encouraging him to the commiting of all manner of wickedness, etc.] spreadeth a net abroad for his goings. [that is, bringeth him into danger of destruction, which is hid under flattering words: as a bird is enticing, by the bait, to be caught in the net, which it was not aware of, or not suspected.]

6. In the transgression of an evil man (there) is a snare: [To wit, hid, which bringeth him into danger of destruction; yea, wherein he shall certainly perish, unless God, by repentance, pluck him out] but the righteous shouteth, and is glad. [to wit, because he, taking heed of sin, feareth no such snare.]

7. The righteous [To wit, Judge] taketh notice of the cause of the poor: [that is, undertaketh to search into the suit or controversy of the poor, is careful to understand and know it aright, and to help and assist the poor in their cause, so far as may stand with justice and equity. Compare, Job 29,16.] (but) the wicked apprehendeth not knowledge. [namely, whereby he ought to understand, both his duty, which engageth him to help and aid the poor, and also the right manner and way, to do it well and seasonably.]

8. Scornful men [Hebr. Men of scorning, or mocking] set a City on (fire,) [to wit, by kindling the fire of divine vengeance, through their abominable sins; or also the fire of dissension, or of munity and war, by their evil counsel and disloyalty. Otherwise, ensnare a city, or bring a city into a snare] but the wise turn away wrath. [to wit, the wrath of God, by their pious prayers; and the wrath of men, by their prudence, meekness, modesty, etc.]

9. A wise man going to law with a foolish man, whether be [To wit, the wise man] be troubled, or laugh, yet there is no rest. [to wit, no rest or end of the suit: for the foolish man will always seek some evasion or other, and will always have something or other still to alledge. The meaning is, that a wise man going to law with a foolish man, whether he be displeased, or whether he be well pleased, it is al one; there is no end of the controversy for all that. Others understand this of the foolish man, that is sometimes angry, and sometimes laughteth, but all with one kind of sad or heavy event.]

10. Blood thirsty men [Hebr. Men of blood: that is, blood-thirsty men, or they that are prone to shed blood, and to commit murder, see Psal.5.on vers.11.] hate the godly man, [of the godly man, see Gen.6.on v.9. and Job 1.on vers.1.] but the upright seek his soul. [to wit, to save and deliver it from destruction. Compare, Psal.142.5. Otherwise, to seek the soul of a man, is to seek to take away his life. See Exod.4.on vers.19. and 2. Sam.4. on vers.8.]

11. A fool uttereth his whole spirit: [That is, all his thoughts. Compare above chap.1.on vers.23. also affections, motions, inclinations, see 2 Kings 19.on vers.7. compare also above, cha.14.33.] but a wise man keepeth it in (till) afterwards. [that is, he restraineth and keepeth himself in, so that he doth not reveal and discover all his thoughts, knowledge, mind, and intention at once.]

12. A Ruler [Meaning one that is supreme head and governor over a Country or people, see 2 Sam.23.on vers.3.] that giveth heed to lying, [to wit, so that he is inclined to believe and maintain it. Heb. The word of falsehood, so above, chap.13.5.] all his servants are wicked. [meaning, the greatest part of them, because a wicked Ruler desireth to have such to wait upon him that are like himself, and by the ordering and managing of those that belong unto him, doth commonly get such servants as are like him; or if so be pious and godly that he getteth, then he indeavoureth to frame and fashion them, according to his mind, or else to discard and cashier them.]

13. The poor and the deceiver [Heb. The man of deceits, or of usuries, or of subtilities. Understand an unrighteous rich man that getteth his riches by crafty and unjust dealings or devices. Others, a man of crafty diligences, that is, one that gathereth riches by diligence mixt with policy or subtilty] meet together; [that is, live and trade together. Compare above chap.22.2. and the Annotat.] the Lord lighteneth both their eyes. [to wit, with the light of the Sun, so that he preserveth and 45. Some understand it of the enlightening of the natural understanding. Compare Job 1:9.]

14. A King that in faithfulness doth justice to the poor, [That is, taketh notice of their cause, judgeth rightly thereof, without respect of persons; and, if he find them to be in the right, maintaineth and defendeth them against their oppressors, both by sentence and execution, without growing weary, or fainting therein, by reason of the meanness and poverty of the one, or being subverted and turned about, by reason of the greatness and riches of the other, so Psa.82.3. Isa.17, &c. To the poor, to wit, to those that may easily be oppressed by the unjustice and violence of others, and do hardily find help or aid, by reason of their own disability and poverty] his throne shall be established forever. [compare above, chap.20.28. & 25.5.]

15. The rod [meaning the punishment which is done by blows, see above, chap.10.on verse 13.] and reproof [to wit, which is done by words: although the word in the original doth sometimes also signify the rebuke or punishment which is done actually by blows, see above, chap.13.24. and 22.15. and 23.13.] but a child that is left (to himself) [that is, that is suffered to be his own master, and is under no mans tuition, guidance or instruction] maketh his mother ashamed. [yea, and also his father; but especially his mother, because she hath been most busied in his education, and bringing for him up, as also the female sex is commonly most subject to the reproach and scorn of wicked and rebellious children, and do least take it to heart. Compare above, chap.10.1. and 17.21,25.]

16. When the wicked grow many, [Heb. Do multiply, or grow great. Compare above, verse 2.] transgression growth much; but the righteous shall behold their fall. [compare Psal.37.34. and 58.11. and 91.8.]

17. Correct thy son, [To wit, with words and blows, as the cause requireth, see above chap.9.on vers.7.] and he shall give thee rest; [compare above, chap.13.24. and 22.15. and23.13,14.] and he shall give delight to thy soul.

18. When there is no prophecy, [Heb. Vision, meaning no preaching of the Word of God, whereby the will of God to us, and our duty to him, is shewed and made known unto us: so is the word vision taken, 1. Sam.3.1. 1 Chron.17.15.] the people are made wicked; [to wit, of the grace, blessing, and protection of God, and consequently of their temporal and eternal welfare, compare Exod.32.25. and the Annotat. Oth. Are forsaken, or cast off: or turn back.] but happy is he that keepeth the law. [that is, that keepeth the way of the Lord, see Gen.18.on vers.19.]

19. A servant will not be corrected by words; [To wit, to do that which his master commandeth him, and whereunto he is also engaged. The meaning is, that all those that be of a servile and slavish spirit or disposition, they cannot be brought or won to the performance of their duty by soft words, by good instructions and admonitions, but have need to be compelled and forced thereto by hard and heavy blows] although he understand (thee) yet will he not answer. [to wit, neither with unfeigned works, nor with obedient deeds. Or, when he understandeth (thee) and answereth not.]

20. Hast thou seen a man that is hasty in his words; [Or, works and deeds] there is more expectation [to wit, of speaking prudently and seasonably, or of doing things wish good advice and counsel] of a fool, then of him. [compare above, chap.26.12.]

21. When a man keepeth his servant delicately from a child, he will at last desire to be a son. [A son of the family, that will draw unto himself the right of son-ship, and of inheritance. Compare the examples of Abner, 2 Sam.3.7,8. Of Jerobeam, 1 Kings 11:26,27,28. Of Simri, 1 Kings 16:9.]

22. An angry man [Heb. A man of anger; that is, that is prone to anger, see Job 11.on vers.11.] stirreth up brawling, [compare above, chap.15.18. and 26.21.] and the wrathful (man) [Heb. A Lord of wrath, compare above, chap.22.on vers.24.] is manifold in transgression.

23. A mans pride shall humble him: but the humble in spirit shall hold honour fast. [That is, shall surely get, and constantly keep honour; to wit, in the sight of God, in the presence and esteem of good men, and in the witness and testimony of his own conscience. See the like phrase above chap.11.16. Oth. But honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. Compare Job 22:29. Prov.15.33. and 18.12. Isa.66.2. Mat.23.12. Luke 14:11. and 18.14. Jam.4.6,10. 1 Pet.5.5.]

24. He that is partner with a thief, hateth his (own) soul; [That is, is his own enemy, bringing great shame and disgrace upon himself. See the like phrase above, chap.8.36. and in the Annotat.] he heareth a curse, and he bewrayeth it not. [the meaning is, that he, being required by the Judge upon his corporal oath, and with a cursed denounced against him that is privy to the theft, discovereth it not, notwithstanding he knowing thereof, utterly denieth to have any knowledge of it. Oth. (so) he that heareth a curse, and bewrayeth it not, (as it is, Levit.5.1.) he hateth also his own soul.]

25. The trembling of man [To wit, which is too great and immoderate, whereby men do not in dangers and difficulties threatened trust and rely on God so as they ought to do] layeth a snare, [that is, bringeth the fearful man into great danger of sinning more against God, and of being more punished of God by many unhappy disasters and sad accidents] but he that trusteth in the LORD, shall be set in a high place of refuge [to wit, where he shall be safe, free from all dangers.]

26. Many seek the Rulers face, [To wit, to require something of him, that may tend to the advancing and promoting of their cause, and of their suit, which they have against another. Compare above, chap.19.6.] but every mans judgement is from the LORD. [to wit, who absolutely loveth righteousness, and hath also the hearts of Rulers in his hand, see above, chap.21.1. and therefore must first of all, and before all others be sought unto. See examples hereof, Nehem.1.4. Esther 4:16.]

27. An unjust man [Hebr. A man of injustice, that is, that loveth injustice. Compare above, chap.6. on verse 14.] is an abomination to the just: but he that is right in way, [that is, he that wise and godly, or upright. Compare, Psalm37.14. and 119.1.] is an abomination to the wicked. [Heb. An abomination of the wicked. See above, chap.3.on v.32.]