Chapter 17
[Pr 17:1-28].
1. sacrifices--or, "feasts" made with part of them (compare [Pr 7:14]; [Le 2:3]; 7:31).
with--literally, "of."
strife--its product, or attendant.
2. (Compare [Pr 14:35]).
causeth shame--([Pr 10:5]).
shall ... inheritance--that is, share a brother's part (compare [Nu 27:4], ).
3. God only knows, as He tries ([Psa 12:6]; ) the heart.
4. Wicked doers and speakers alike delight in calumny.
5. (Compare [Pr 14:31]).
glad at calamities--rejoicing in others' evil. Such are rightly punished by God, who knows their hearts.
6. Prolonged posterity is a blessing, its cutting off a curse ([Pr 13:22]; [Psa 109:13-15]), hence children may glory in virtuous ancestry.
7. Excellent speech--(Compare Margin). Such language as ill suits a fool, as lying (ought to suit) a prince ([Pr 16:12], ).
8. One so corrupt as to take a bribe evinces his high estimate of it by subjection to its influence ([Pr 18:16]; ).
9. seeketh love--(Compare Margin). The contrast is between the peace-maker and tale-bearer.
10. Reproof more affects the wise than severe scourging, fools.
11. Such meet just retribution ([1Ki 2:25]).
a cruel messenger--one to inflict it.
12. They are less rational in anger than wild beasts.
13. (Compare [Psa 7:4]; ).
evil--injury to another ([Pr 13:21]).
14. letteth ... water--as a breach in a dam.
before ... meddled with--before strife has become sharp, or, by an explanation better suiting the figure, before it rolls on, or increases.
15. abomination ... Lord--as reversing His method of acting ([Pr 3:32]; ).
16. Though wealth cannot buy wisdom for those who do not love it, yet wisdom procures wealth ([Pr 3:16]; ).
17. To the second of these parallel clauses, there is an accession of meaning, that is, that a brother's love is specially seen in adversity.
18. (Compare [Pr 6:1-5; 11]:15).
in the presence, &c.--that is, he either fails to consult his friend, or to follow his advice.
19. strife--contention is, and leads to, sin.
he that exalteth his gate--gratifies a vain love of costly building.
seeketh--or, "findeth," as if he sought (compare "loveth death," [Pr 8:36]).
20. The second clause advances on the first. The ill-natured fail of good, and the cavilling and fault-finding incur evil.
21. (Compare [Pr 23:24]). Different words are rendered by "fool," both denoting stupidity and impiety.
22. (Compare [Pr 14:30]; ). The effect of the mind on the body is well known.
medicine--or, "body," which better corresponds with "bone."
drieth--as if the marrow were exhausted.
23. a gift ... bosom--Money and other valuables were borne in a fold of the garment, called the bosom.
to pervert--that is, by bribery.
24. Wisdom ... him--ever an object of regard, while a fool's affections are unsettled.
25. a grief--or cross, vexation (compare [Pr 17:21]; ).
26. Also--that is, Equally to be avoided are other sins: punishing good subjects, or resisting good rulers.
27-28. Prudence of speech is commended as is an excellent or calm spirit, not excited to vain conversation.
Chapter 18
[Pr 18:1-24].