Verse 16
He that oppresseth the poor - He who, in order to obtain the favor of the rich and great, either robs or cheats the poor, to make those men presents; or gives in presents to them, for the sake of honor and reputation, what he should have given to the poor, shall surely come to want.
Verse 17
Bow down thine ear - From this to the end of [Pro 22:21] are contained, not proverbs, but directions how to profit by that which wisdom has already delivered; the nature of the instruction, and the end for which it was given.
I shall give a paraphrase of this very important passage: -
I. Solomon addresses his pupils on the use of his past teachings. See on [Pro 22:6] (note).
1. The wise man speaks; and all his words, not merely his sentiments, are to be carefully heard.
2. He speaks knowledge - gives doctrines true in themselves, and confirmed by observation and experience.
3. These are to be heard with humility and deep attention: "Bow down thine ear."
4. They must not only be heard, but meditated and pondered: "Apply thine heart to my knowledge."
Verse 18
For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee -
II. The pleasure and profit which may be derived from an attentive hearing.
1. They should be laid up in the heart-stored, treasured up within thee.
2. This will yield high satisfaction and happiness to the soul: "For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee."
3. The man who thus attends to the teachings of wisdom shall gain an experimental knowledge of them, so as to be able to speak of them suitably, pertinently and persuasively. "They shall withal be fitted in thy lips."
Verse 19
That thy trust may be in the Lord, I have made known, etc. -
III. The End for which the wise man gives these instructions: -
1. "That thy trust may be in the Lord." That thou mayest acknowledge Him as the Fountain of all good; and refer every thing to him.
2. That this end may be accomplished, the instructions are specific and particular: "I have made known to thee, even to thee."
3. And this has not only been done in times past, "I have made known:" but even in the present, "I have made known this day!"
IV. An appeal is made to the person himself relative to the matter and importance of the teaching.
1. "Have I not written to thee excellent things;" שלשים shalishim, literally threefold, thrice, in three different ways; which some think refers to his three books: -
1. Song of Solomon.
2. Koheleth, or Ecclesiastes.
3. Proverbs.
Others, understanding it of the voice of Divine wisdom, suppose the three grand divisions of the sacred oracles are intended; viz.,
1. The Law;
2. The Prophets;
3. The Hagiographa.
And others interpret it of the three grand intellectual sciences: -
1. Morality, or Ethics.
2. Natural Philosophy, or Physics.
3. Theology, or the science of Divine things as reported in the Scriptures. But Solomon's books of Natural Philosophy are lost.
And lastly, some of the rabbins and some Christians find in these shalishim the three senses of Scripture:
1. Literal;
2. Figurative;
3. Allegorical.
After all, as we know the term thrice was used as the term seven, a certain number for an uncertain, (see [Amo 1:11]; [2Cor 12:8]), it may mean no more here than, I have written to thee often. But perhaps it is safer to apply it to the Scriptures, and the excellent doctrines they contain: for שלשים shalishim signifies also excellent, princely things; things which become a king to speak. Indeed, it would not be difficult to prove that there is not one important art or science which is not alluded to in the Holy Scriptures, and used to illustrate and inculcate heavenly truths.
2. These excellent, princely, or threefold teachings, consist of two grand parts:
1. Counsels, מעצות moetsoth, from יוץ yaats, to give advice, counsel, or information. These (1) show thee what thou shouldst know; and (2) advise thee what thou shouldst do.
2. Knowledge, דעת daath, from ידע yada, to perceive, or feel by means of the senses and internal perception; viz., what should be felt, experienced, known to be true by mental perception, and by their influence on the heart and affections.
V. All this is done to give the pupil the fullest satisfaction, and most plenary evidence concerning the truths of God.
Verse 21
That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth -