Various maxims and observations of Solomon, collected by the men of Hezekiah, about kings, and other subjects of both private and public concern.
1THE wickeda flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous 1are bold as a 2lion.
a Lev. 26:35; Deut. 28:28; Isa. 57:21.
1 Namely, by reason of the sure trust and confidence, which they put in the Lord. Other, the righteous are as a young lion, which is bold. Hebr. trusts.
2 Or, young lion, which is ordinarily bolder and less fearful than a lion’s whelp or an old lion. Compare the annotation at Prov. 19 on verse 12.
2For the transgression 3of a land many 4are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be 5prolonged.
3 That is, of the inhabitants of the land.
4 Namely, because one dies soon his natural death, another is murdered and destroyed. See examples, 1 Kings 16 and 2 Kings 24, etc. Hereby great changes happen in a land, which are very dangerous and hurtful to the inhabitants.
5 Namely, of the life of a good ruler and of government.
3 A 6poor man that oppresseth the poor is like 7a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
6 This one here is especially mentioned because he, more that the rich, ought to have pity and compassion on the poor, for that he also feels the misery, and because the poor cannot restore the means which they have taken away from the poor, as the richer sort can, yea also because they, being more needy, are oftentimes not content with a little wrong.
7 Understand this of a rain, which by reason of its greatness and continuance makes a great flood, whereby the corn and other grain and the fruits of the ground are beaten down, destroyed, swept and carried away, so that there is no provision of bread and other victual left in the field.
4They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law 8contend with 9them.
8 Namely, by reproving their wickedness by words, and in a good and godly conduct among them, and otherwise, according to the nature and condition of their calling.
9 Namely, those who forsake the law.
510Evil men understand not 11judgment: but they that seek the 12LORD understand 13all things.
10 Hebr. the men or people of evil, that is, those who are addicted to evil and practice it. See Job 11 on verse 11.
11 That is, that which they are bound to believe, to do, and to leave undone.
12 See 2 Chron. 11 on verse 16.
13 Namely, which are requisite and needful for their salvation, concerning matters of faith and conduct.
6Better is the poorb that 14walketh in his uprightness, than he that is 15perverse in his 16ways, though he be rich.
b Prov. 19:1.
14 Compare Prov. 2:7 and the annotation.
15 Compare Prov. 2 on verse 15.
16 The Hebrew word signifies two ways. It seems that the Holy Ghost speaks so, because the right way, which is placed in the midst of two extremes, is deserted by the wicked in that they decline or turn aside not only to one of the two extremes, but also oftentimes unto both. We may also understand it thus: that some ungodly ones do feign themselves so, as if they were godly, and yet walk and deal wickedly and ungodly, which are two ways: the one is to feign oneself outward by words and gestures to be that he is not inwardly; the other, to make it appear by deeds that a man is really and truly such as he outwardly appears. Or, two ways are, to feign oneself in the company and presence of godly men as if one were godly too, and to behave oneself in the company and presence of wicked men, as he that is down right or extremely wicked. Compare verse 18.
7Whosoc keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a 17companion 18of riotous men 19shameth his father.
c Prov. 29:3.
17 That is, one who nourishes and maintains. Hebr. feeder. Compare Prov. 13 on verse 20.
18 See of these also Deut. 21:20; Prov. 23:20, 21, and understand by them all gross transgressors of the law.
19 See Prov. 10 on verse 5. Include under the name of father also the mother. See Prov. 15:20.
8He that by 20usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall 21gather it for him that will pity the poor.
20 See of these words usury and unjust gain, Lev. 25 on verse 36.
21 Namely, by the secret disposal of Divine Providence without having the least thought of it.
9He that turneth away his ear from hearing the 22law, even his prayer shall be 23abomination.
22 Namely, of God.
23 Namely, unto God. See Prov. 3 on verse 32 and compare Prov. 15:8; 21:27.
10Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an 24evil way, he shall falld himself into 25his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.
24 See Prov. 2 on verse 12.
d Prov. 26:27.
25 Namely, which he had made for the righteous. See Prov. 26:27.
11The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding 26searcheth him out.
26 That is, take note of him (namely, the rich man), eying more his actions and conversation, than the luster and splendor of his riches, which can give neither wisdom nor virtue.
12Whene27righteous men do 28rejoice, there is great 29glory: butf when the wicked rise, a man 30is hidden.
e Prov. 11:10, 11.
27 Understand especially the godly rulers of countries and cities.
28 That is, prosper, are happy, flourish and blossom.
29 Or, beauty, ornament, that is, good and well-composed order both in ecclesiastical and civil affairs, faithful administration of all offices, with all manner of blessings from the Lord.
f verse 28.
30 Namely, because he hides and conceals himself, through fear of persecution and oppression, which wicked and ungodly rulers raise, especially against righteous and godly persons. Compare verse 28.
13He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: butg31whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
g Psalm 32:3, 5; 1 John 1:9, 10.
31 Namely, before the Lord, or also before the people when the matter requires such.
14Happy is the man 32that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his 33heart shall fall into mischief.
32 That is, being truly and sincerely converted out of true reverence which he bears unto God, he fears to offend Him, and, setting before his eyes the judgments that are prepared for the wicked, he orders himself in humility and a childlike fear according to the commandments of God that he may not perish.
33 That is, he who behaves himself very willfully and gives himself over to obstinacy and rebellion. Compare Exod. 4 on verse 21; Exod. 8 on verse 15; Exod. 32 on verse 9; 2 Kings 17 on verse 14.
15As a roaring 34lion, and a rangingh bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
34 Namely, in regard of hunger, to get a prey; as is said of the devil, 1 Peter 5:8.
h roving
16The 35prince that wanteth understanding is also a 36great oppressor: but 37he that hateth covetousness shall prolong 38his days.
35 Or, leader, or ruler, who goes before the people in the office of ruling or governing. See Neh. 11:11 and the annotation.
36 That is, is a great oppressor, or oppresses his subjects many and sundry ways, and is therefore himself subject to God’s judgments, and to many cruel torments and oppressions.
37 Or, every one, namely, the leaders, that hateth filthy lucre or covetousness.
38 Namely, of his life, that is, he shall enjoy long life by or through the means thereunto appointed by God. Compare Prov. 3 on verse 2.
17A man that doeth 39violence to the 40blood of any 41person 42shall 43flee to the pit; let 44no man stay him.
39 That is, pursued by the avenger of blood and is troubled by his conscience. Other, he that hath done violence to the blood of a soul, namely, which he has shed willfully and wrongfully.
40 That is, for the murder or slaughter. See Gen. 37 on verse 26.
41 Or, soul. See Gen. 12 on verse 5.
42 That is, to destruction or to his own ruin. Also is the word pit taken, Psalm 7:15; 28:1; 30:3; 40:2.
43 Namely, through fear of Divine vengeance, so that he, taking flight this way and that way, shall unawares fall into some mischief and danger.
44 Other, let him not be supported, namely that he may at least get into the pit, wherein he must needs be; that is, let no man seek to deliver or to hide him, or any other way to rescue and free him from punishment.
18Whoso walketh 45uprightly shall be saved: but 46he that is perverse 47in his ways shall fall 48at once.
45 See Prov. 2 on verse 7.
46 See verse 6; Prov. 2 on verse 15.
47 Or, in two ways. See on verse 6.
48 That is, shall perish in one of those two ways, namely, whether he joins himself to the godly in his outward conduct that he may seem like unto them, or in some show to associate himself and keep company with the wicked to enjoy their profits.
19He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but 49he that followeth after vain persons 50shall have poverty enough.
49 See Prov. 12 on verse 11.
50 See Job 7 on verse 4.
20 A 51faithful man shall 52abound with blessings: buti he that maketh haste to be rich shall 53not be innocent.
51 Hebr. A man of truths or of faithfulnesses. See Prov. 11 on verse 17. Understand, one who is true, upright and faithful in his dealing.
52 That is, shall exceedingly be blessed. God will do him good and godly men shall wish good unto him.
i Prov. 13:11; 20:21; 23:4.
53 That is, shall not be free from suspicion of unrighteous dealings, abuses and sins; and consequently shall not be held to be undeserving of punishment.
21Toj have respect of 54persons is 55not good: for 56for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
j Prov. 18:5; 24:23.
54 See Deut. 1:17 and the annotation. This is as much as to accept faces or persons, Lev. 19:15; see likewise there the annotation.
55 That is, very bad. See Prov. 17 on verse 26.
56 The sense is: if men may have respect of persons in judgment, they would make no bones of sinning or transgressing. For a bit of bread (as we say) yea for nothing at all, one would commit gross and outrageous villainies.
22He 57that hasteth to be rich 58hath an evil eye, and considereth not 59that poverty shall come upon him.
57 Understand an hastening which is united with great trouble and anxiety of spirit; as also the Hebrew word is translated for being troubled, 2 Sam. 4:1 in the annotation; Job 4:5; 21:6; 23:15.
58 That is, a man who has an evil eye. Understand an envious, surly and covetous man. See Deut. 15 on verse 9; Prov. 23 on verse 6.
59 Namely, both from God, Whom he offends by his covetousness and cruelty, and from the people whom he hurts therewith.
23He that 60rebuketh a man 61afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth 62with the tongue.
60 Namely, with words. See Prov. 15:31.
61 Namely, when he, who was reproved, shall find and perceive that the reproof has done him good. Other, following me.
62 Compare Prov. 2:16 and the annotation on the word to flatter.
24Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, 63It is no transgression; the same is the companion 64of a destroyer.
63 As if he had said: It is no theft which God has forbidden in His law, because the estate shall be due to me after their decease.
64 Or, to the destroying man, or of the man of destroying, that is, either of a murderer, because he takes away from his father or from his mother, or from both the means whereby they are to maintain and uphold their existence, or, of a waster and spendthrift, of whom see Prov. 18:9. Of the word to destroy, see Judges 20 on verse 21.
25Hek that is of a 65proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD 66shall be made fat.
k Prov. 13:10; 15:18; 29:22
65 Hebr. broad or wide in soul.
66 That is, rich and prosperous both in body and soul, namely, because he, being humble and relying upon God alone, seeks nothing else but to live in peace and quietness with his neighbor.
26He that trusteth 67in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh 68wisely, he shall be delivered.
67 That is, he who will have his own mind fulfilled and will follow only his own conceit.
68 That is, according to the doctrine, which is true and right wisdom, prescribed unto us in the Word of God and according to the counsel of those who follow it.
27Hel that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his 69eyes 70shall have many a curse.
l Deut. 15:7, 8, 10; Prov. 19:17; 22:9.
69 Namely, from the poor, through unmercifulness and covetousness.
70 Hebr. shall be manifold in cursings, that is, shall be exceedingly cursed. Also verse 20 abound with blessings, for him who is exceedingly blessed.
28Whenm the wicked rise, men 71hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.
m verse 12.
71 Compare the last annotation on verse 12.