Bible Commentaries

Verse 2

studieth — meditateth.

talk … mischief — Their expressed purposes are to do evil.

Verse 3-4

(Compare Proverbs 14:1; Isaiah 54:14).

house — including the family.

Verse 4

Verse 5-6

The general statement (Ecclesiastes 9:16, Ecclesiastes 9:18) is specially illustrated (compare Proverbs 21:22; Psalm 144:1).

Verse 7

(Compare Proverbs 14:16).

in the gate — (Compare Proverbs 22:22).

Verse 8

So called even if he fails to do evil.

Verse 9

Same thought varied.

Verse 10

Literally, “If thou fail in the day of straits (adversity), strait (or, small) is thy strength,” which is then truly tested.

Verse 11-12

Neglect of known duty is sin (James 4:17).

ready — literally, “bowing down”

to be slain — that is, unjustly. God‘s retributive justice cannot be avoided by professed ignorance.

Verse 13-14

As delicious food whets the appetite, so should the rewards of wisdom excite us to seek it.

Verse 14

reward — literally, “after part,” the proper result (compare Proverbs 23:18; Psalm 37:37, Psalm 37:38).

Verse 15-16

The plots of the wicked against the good, though partially, shall not be fully successful (Psalm 37:24); while the wicked, falling under penal evil, find no help.

Verse 16

seven times — often, or many (Proverbs 6:16, Proverbs 6:31; Proverbs 9:1).

Verse 17-18

Yet let none rejoice over the fate of evildoers, lest God punish their wrong spirit by relieving the sufferer (compare Proverbs 17:5; Job 31:29).

Verse 19-20

(Psalm 37:1, Psalm 37:38; Psalm 18:28).

Verse 20

candle — or, “prosperity”; it shall come to an end (Proverbs 13:9; Proverbs 20:20).

Verse 21-22

A warning against impiety and resistance to lawful rule (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:17).

meddle  …  change — (Compare Margin), literally, “mingle not yourself,” avoid the society of restless persons.

Verse 22

their calamity, etc. — either what God and the king inflict, or what changers and their company suffer; better the first.

Verse 23

to have respect — literally, “to discern faces,” show partiality,

Verse 24-25

of which an example is justifying the wicked, to which is opposed, rebuking him, which has a blessing.

Verse 26

kiss his lips — love and obey, do homage (Psalm 2:12; Song of Solomon 8:1).

right answer — literally, “plain words” (compare Proverbs 8:9), opposed to deceptive, or obscure.

Verse 27

Prepare … in the field — Secure, by diligence, a proper support, and then build; provide necessaries, then comforts, to which a house rather pertained, in a mild climate, permitting the use of tents.

Verse 28

Do not speak even truth needlessly against any, and never falsehood.

Verse 29

Especially avoid retaliation (Matthew 5:43-45; Romans 12:17).

Verse 30-31

A striking picture of the effects of sloth.

Verses 32-34

From the folly of the sluggard learn wisdom (Proverbs 6:10, Proverbs 6:11).