17-18. (Compare Margin). The prosperity of the wicked is short.
19-21. guide ... way--or direct thy thoughts to a right course of conduct (compare [Pr 4:4]; ).
22. Hearken--that is, obey ([Pr 1:8]; [Ep 6:1]).
despise ... old--Adults revere the parents whom, as children, they once obeyed.
23. Buy--literally, "get" ([Pr 4:5]).
truth--generally and specially as opposed to errors of all kinds.
24-25. (Compare [Pr 10:1]; , ).
26-35. A solemn warning against whoredom and drunkenness ([Ho 4:11]).
give me--This is the address of that divine wisdom so often presented ([Pr 8:1]; , &c.).
heart--confidence.
observe--keep.
my ways--such as I teach you ([Pr 3:17]; ).
Chapter 24
[Pr 24:1-34].
1-2. (Compare [Pr 23:3], ; [Psa 37:1]).
3-4. (Compare [Pr 14:1]; [Is 54:14]).
house--including the family.
5-6. The general statement ([Ec 9:16], ) is specially illustrated (compare [Pr 21:22]; [Psa 144:1]).
7. (Compare [Pr 14:16]).
in the gate--(Compare [Pr 22:22]).
8. So called even if he fails to do evil.
9. Same thought varied.
10. Literally, "If thou fail in the day of straits (adversity), strait (or, small) is thy strength," which is then truly tested.
11-12. Neglect of known duty is sin ([Jas 4:17]).
ready--literally, "bowing down"
to be slain--that is, unjustly. God's retributive justice cannot be avoided by professed ignorance.
13-14. As delicious food whets the appetite, so should the rewards of wisdom excite us to seek it.
15-16. The plots of the wicked against the good, though partially, shall not be fully successful ([Psa 37:24]); while the wicked, falling under penal evil, find no help.
17-18. Yet let none rejoice over the fate of evildoers, lest God punish their wrong spirit by relieving the sufferer (compare [Pr 17:5]; [Job 31:29]).
19-20. ([Psa 37:1], ; ).
21-22. A warning against impiety and resistance to lawful rule ([Ro 13:1-7]; [1Pe 2:17]).
meddle ... change--(Compare Margin), literally, "mingle not yourself," avoid the society of restless persons.
23. These ... wise--literally, "are of the wise," as authors (compare "Psalms of David," Hebrew). "These" refers to the verses following, [Pr 24:24-34].
to have respect--literally, "to discern faces," show partiality,
24-25. of which an example is justifying the wicked, to which is opposed, rebuking him, which has a blessing.
26. kiss his lips--love and obey, do homage ([Psa 2:12]; [So 8:1]).
right answer--literally, "plain words" (compare [Pr 8:9]), opposed to deceptive, or obscure.
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.
28. Do not speak even truth needlessly against any, and never falsehood.
29. Especially avoid retaliation ([Mt 5:43-45]; [Ro 12:17]).
30-31. A striking picture of the effects of sloth.
32-34. From the folly of the sluggard learn wisdom ([Pr 6:10], ).
Chapter 25
[Pr 25:1-28].
1. The character of these proverbs sustains the title (see Introduction).