Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary
Proverbs 29:26

Clarke's Commentary

Verse Proverbs 29:26. Many seek the ruler's favour — To be screened from the punishment determined by the law; but should he grant the favour sought, and pardon the criminal, this takes not away his guilt in the sight of God, from whom all just judgment proceeds.

Bridgeway Bible Commentary

Authority with justice (29:1-27)

Many themes that we have already met in Proverbs are repeated in this section: stubbornness, good and bad government, family values, prostitution, justice, flattery, cunning and concern for the poor (29:1-7). Scoffers are more than just fools; they are trouble-makers. They are not open to reason and cannot control their temper (8-11).
Unjust rulers oppress innocent citizens, and the rich persecute the poor, but good and bad alike receive the blessings that God gives to people in general (12-13). The ruler of a country and the head of a family should work for the contentment and well-being of those for whom they are responsible, but they can expect success only if they themselves are good and just. The pursuit of righteousness leads to stability (14-17).
One reason for a nation’s spiritual or moral decay is its neglect of the revealed word of God (18). A stubborn servant is a problem for his master, but a shrewd servant, if he receives too many favours, could one day take over his master’s property (19-21). Those who are bad tempered or arrogant bring trouble, not just to others but also to themselves (22-23).
When a person who was partner in a crime refuses to give evidence to the judge, his guilt increases (24). There can be no justice when the basis of people’s decision-making is fear of those who are influential or partiality towards those who are their friends (25-27).

Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible

“Many seek the ruler’s favor; But a man’s judgment cometh from Jehovah.”

“Many seek the favor of a ruler, but from the Lord a man gets justice.”American Standard Version of the Bible. “Many seek the presence of a ruler; but only from the Lord may one expect justice.”The Anchor Bible (Garden City, New York: Doubleday and Company, 1982). The weakness and corruption of all human systems of jurisprudence are suggested by this.

Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

To trust in the favor of princes is to build upon the sands. The judgment which will set right all wrong will come from the Lord. It is better to wait for that than to run here and there, canvassing, bribing, flattering.

Smith's Bible Commentary

Chapter 29

He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy ( Proverbs 29:1 ).

That is a heavy, heavy proverb. The person that is often reproved by God. How many times God has reproved you for your evil. God has reproved you for your sin. And you've hardened your heart to God's reproof. You go right back into the same thing. You do it over again. And God has reproved you. He, that being often reproved, you begin to harden your heart against that reproof of God. Now what's going to happen is that you're going to be destroyed suddenly, and that without remedy. That is really heavy-duty indeed. The sudden destruction that will come upon you without any remedy. It's terrible when God says, "Hey, that's it. There's no remedy." And lets a person go.

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked are ruling, the people mourn. Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keeps company with harlots is wasting his substance. The king by judgment establishes the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it. A man that flattereth his neighbor spreadeth a net for his feet. And in the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice. The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regards not to know it. Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath ( Proverbs 29:2-8 ).

There are cases of this in history in the Bible where the scorners brought the city into battle, into war. But there are other cases where wise counsel saved the cities from destruction, or people from destruction. You remember when David was desiring some food for his men from Nabal, and he had been with Nabal's men; he'd been around them. And David had, you know, sort of overseen the guys. They were protecting them and all. And so when David needed food, he came to Nabal and Nabal cursed David and said, "Who's David and so forth that I should give him food?" He was just really rank about it. So David armed his men; he was going to go after old Nabal. You know, wipe him out. And his wife Abigail came and said, "Oh, my husband, he's a dunce. Don't pay any attention. Why should you waste your time with a character like that? And now, you know, here, take this." She brought him a bunch of food and all. And told David just not to. Her wise counsel. He said, "Oh, blessed is your counsel, you know, because if it weren't for you, I would have spilled that guy's blood. I mean, I was mad at him. I was going to do him in."

So through wise counsel the wars are averted. The city is spared. But through scornful men, the city can be brought into snare or destruction.

If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest. The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul. A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it till afterwards. If a ruler hearken to lies, all of his servants are wicked. The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes. The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever ( Proverbs 29:9-14 ).

And now we have a couple here that have to do with children, fifteen and seventeen.

The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yes, he will give delight unto thy soul ( Proverbs 29:15 , Proverbs 29:17 ).

Going back now to sixteen.

When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall ( Proverbs 29:16 ).

Eighteen:

Where there is no vision, the people perish ( Proverbs 29:18 ):

God help us. We've got to have a vision for the Lord's work and for the accomplishing of the Lord's work. People that are without a vision perish.

but he that keepeth the law, happy is he ( Proverbs 29:18 ).

We've heard this, "Where no vision is, the people perish." That's a very often-quoted proverb.

A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer. Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope for a fool than for him ( Proverbs 29:19-20 ).

So be slow to speak.

He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length ( Proverbs 29:21 ).

If you take good care in bringing up a servant from a child, he becomes like a son to you.

An angry man stirs up strife, a furious man abounds in transgressions. A man's pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit. And whoso is partner with a thief hates his own soul: he hears cursing, and bewrayeth it not ( Proverbs 29:22-24 ).

Twenty-five:

The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso puts his trust in the LORD shall be safe ( Proverbs 29:25 ).

"The fear of man brings a snare." It will cause even great men, the fear of man will cause even great men to do untoward things. Because of the fear of King Abimelech, Abraham tried to toss his wife off as a sister. It was the fear of Abimelech that caused Abraham to say, "She's my sister." The fear of man brings a snare.

My great hero David was afraid of King Achish who was the king of the Philistine city of Gath, and David suddenly became afraid that Achish would maybe imprison him or something. And so David began to act like a madman. Look what the fear of man will do to otherwise great men. Here is David, slobbering all over his beard, screaming and scrabbling, trying to climb the walls, just because he was afraid of Achish. "The fear of man brings a snare, but whoso puts his trust in the Lord, he shall be safe." So we need not have the fear of man, but we surely need to put our trust in the Lord.

Many seek the ruler's favor; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD ( Proverbs 29:26 ).

The real decision-making process comes from God. You seek the ruler's favor, but the judgment really proceeds from the Lord.

An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked ( Proverbs 29:27 ). "

Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

Many seek the ruler's favour,.... Or "face" e; are very desirous of being admitted into his presence, and of having his company and conversation; of having an opportunity to ask a favour of him, and of receiving honour from him, and of gaining him on their side, to take their part in a cause depending; see Proverbs 19:6;

but [every] man's judgment [cometh] from the Lord; who has the hearts of kings and rulers in his hand, and directs them in bestowing their favours, and in determining causes; so that all things are ultimately from the Lord; and therefore it is best to seek unto him, and trust in him: or the state and condition and circumstances of men, as to riches and honour, and the like, are all from the Lord, according as he sees fit; who sets up one and pulls down another, according to his pleasure.

e פני "faciem", V. L. Pagninus, Vatablus, Tigurine version, Junius & Tremellius, so Michaelis, Schultens.

Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible

      26 Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD.

      See here, 1. What is the common course men take to advance and enrich themselves, and make themselves great: they seek the ruler's favour, and, as if all their judgment proceeded from him, to him they make all their court. Solomon was himself a ruler, and knew with what sedulity men made their application to him, some on one errand, others on another, but all for his favour. It is the way of the world to make interest with great men, and expect much from the smiles of second causes, which yet are uncertain, and frequently disappoint them. Many take a great deal of pains in seeking the ruler's favour and yet cannot have it; many have it for a little while, but they cannot keep themselves in it, by some little turn or other they are brought under his displeasure; many have it, and keep it, and yet it does not answer their expectation, they cannot make that hand of it that they promised themselves they should. Haman had the ruler's favour, and yet it availed him nothing. 2. What is the wisest course men can take to be happy. Let them look up to God, and seek the favour of the Ruler of rulers; for every man's judgment proceeds from the Lord. It is not with us as the ruler pleases; his favour cannot make us happy, his frowns cannot make us miserable. But it is as God pleases; every creature is that to us that God makes it to be, no more and no other. He is the first Cause, on which all second causes depend; if he help not, they cannot, 2 Kings 6:27; Job 34:29.