7. The conduct of good men proclaims their sound principles. God's covenant and their good example secure blessing to their children ([Pr 4:26]; [Psa 112:1], 2).
8. As in [Pr 14:35]; , , this is the character of a good king, not of all kings.
9. The interrogation in the affirmative strengthens the implied negation (compare [Job 15:14]; [Ec 7:20]).
10. Various measures, implying that some are wrong (compare [Pr 11:1]; ).
11. The conduct of children even is the best test of principle (compare [Mt 7:16]).
12. Hence, of course, God will know all you do ([Psa 94:9]).
13. Activity and diligence contrasted with sloth ([Pr 6:9]; ).
lest ... poverty--literally, "be deprived of inheritance."
14. when ... his way--implying that he goes about boasting of his bargains.
15. The contrast denotes the greater value of knowledge (compare [Pr 3:14-16]).
16. Take his garment--implies severe exaction, justified by the surety's rashness.
a strange woman--by some readings "strangers," but the former here, and in [Pr 27:13], is allowable, and strengthens the sense. The debauchee is less reliable than the merely careless.
17. Bread ... sweet--either as unlawfully ([Pr 9:17]) or easily obtained.
mouth ... gravel--well expresses the pain and grief given at last.
18. (Compare [Pr 15:22]). Be careful and considerate in important plans.
19. Those who love to tell news will hardly keep secrets.
flattereth ... lips--(compare Margin; [Pr 1:10]).
meddle ... him--literally, "join," or "associate with."
20. his lamp--(Compare [Pr 13:9]; ).
21. gotten hastily--contrary to God's providence ([Pr 28:20]), implying its unjust or easy attainment; hence the man is punished, or spends freely what he got easily (compare [Pr 20:17]).
22. (Compare [Psa 27:14]; [Ro 12:17-19]).
23. (Compare [Pr 20:10]; ).
24. Man's goings--literally, "Stately steppings of a strong man."
a man--any common man.
understand--or, "perceive."
25. devoureth ... holy--or, better, "who rashly speaks promises," or "devotes what is holy," consecrating any thing. This suits better the last clause, which expresses a similar view of the results of rashly vowing.
26. (Compare [Pr 20:8]).
bringeth ... over them--The wheel was used for threshing grain. The figure denotes severity (compare [Am 1:3]).
27. The spirit ... Lord--Men's minds are God's gifts, and thus able to search one another (compare [Pr 20:5]; [Pr 18:8], ; [1Co 2:11]).
28. (Compare [Pr 3:3]; , ).
29. The glory of young men ... the beauty of old men--Each age has its peculiar excellence ([Pr 16:31]).
30. blueness--literally, "joining," the process of uniting the edges of a wound throws off purulent matter.
stripes ... belly--So punishment provides healing of soul ([Pr 18:8]), by deterring from evil courses.
Chapter 21
[Pr 21:1-31].
1. rivers--irrigating channels ([Psa 1:3]), whose course was easily turned (compare [De 11:10]). God disposes even kings as He pleases ([Pr 16:9]; [Psa 33:15]).
2. (Compare [Pr 14:2]; [16:2-25]).
3. (Compare [Psa 50:7-15]; [Is 1:11], ).
4. high look--(Compare Margin; [Psa 131:1]).
proud heart--or, "heart of breadth," one that is swollen (compare [Psa 101:5]).
ploughing--better "lamp," a frequent figure for prosperity ([Pr 20:20]); hence joy or delight.
5. The contrast is between steady industry and rashness (compare [Pr 19:2]).
6. The getting--or, "what is obtained" (compare [Job 7:2]; [Jr 22:13], Hebrew).
vanity ... to and fro--as fleeting as chaff or stubble in the wind (compare [Pr 20:17-21]; [Psa 62:10]). Such gettings are unsatisfactory.
them ... death--act as if they did ([Pr 8:36]; ).