Westminster Annotations, Proverbs · Chapter 17
CHAP. XVII.
Vers. 1. ADrie morsell, and quietnesse therewith, then a house full of sacrifices with strife] Chap. 15. 17.
then a house full of sacrifices with strife] For where as were many sacrifices, there were many portions given to the people, wherewith they feasted. Or, the word may signifie cattell slain to eat, not to sacrifice.
sacrifices] Or, good cheer.
V. 2. A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame] Sometimes a wise and faithfull servant is by the father set over slothfull children, and hath part of the inheritance with them.
V. 3. The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold] Psal. 26. 2. Chap. 27. 21. Jer. 17. 10. Mal. 3. 3.
but the Lord trieth the hearts] Men can finde out other things, but not other mens thoughts.
V. 4. a liar giveth ear to a naughtie tongue] No tongue so bad, but a liar will hearken to it.
naughtie tongue] Heb. of naughtinesses: that is, most naughtie.
V. 5. Whoso mocketh the poor, reproacheth his Maker] Chap. 14. 31.
unpunished] Heb. held innocent.
V. 6. Childrens children are the crown of old men] Psal. 127. 3. and 128. 3.
V. 7. Excellent speech] Heb. a lip of excellencie.
Excellent speech becometh not a fool] As eloquent speech shews a fool speaks not like himself: so a prince speaks much lesse like himself, if he speak falsly.
lying lips] Heb. a lip of lying.
V. 8. A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it] Chap. 18. 16. Heb. of the masters of it. Rich men think they can do any thing with gifts.
a precious stone] Heb. a stone of grace.
V. 9. He that covereth a transgression, seeketh love] Chap. 10. 12. Concealing injuries done us, breeds peace; ripping them up, breeds discord among neerest friends.
seeketh] Or, procureth.
V. 10. A reproof entreth more into a wise man, &c.] A wise man is more affected with, and mends sooner after a reproof, then a foolish person after many stripes.
A reproof entreth more into a wise man, then an hundred stripes into a fool] Or, a repreof aweth more a wise man, then to strike a fool an hundred times.
V. 11. therefore a cruell messenger shall be sent against him] An hangman or executioner.
V. 12. Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man] It is better to meet a she-bear, that falls on every one she meets, as if he had stolen her whelps, then to meet a wicked man in a violent passion.
V. 13. rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house] Rom. 12. 17. 1 Thess. 5. 15. 1 Pet. 3. 9.
V. 14. The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water] He that raiseth strife, knows not how to stay it, no more then he that opens a breach to let out waters to drown a countrey: therefore begin not to contend at any time.
V. 15. He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, &c.] Exod. 23. 7. Chap. 24. 24. Isai. 5. 23.
even they both are abomination to the Lord] Men think it mercy to favour a wicked man in judgement, but God accounts is as bad as condemning an innocent.
V. 16. Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisedom] If a man have never so much opportunity and means, yet he will not use them, unlesse he have an heart desirous to learn.
V. 17. A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity] Chap. 18. 24.
a brother is born for adversitie] They are true friends and kinred that forsake us not in adversity.
V. 18. A man void of understanding striketh hands] Chap. 6. 1. and 11. 15.
understanding] Heb. heart.
in the presence of his friend] Openly, in the presence of the creditour, chap. 6. 3.
friend] Or, neighbour.
V. 19. he that exalteth his gate, seeketh destruction] He that makes him fairer gates then his neighbour, seeking to exalt himself above his degree, gives others occasion to seek his ruine. Broad gates break men many times.
V. 20. He that hath a froward heart] Heb. the froward of heart.
V. 21. He that begetteth a fool, doth it to his sorrow] Chap. 10. 1.
V. 22. A merry heart doth good like a medicine] Chap. 15. 13. and 12. 25. A cheerfull heart helps well to recover health lost: but a sad one breeds deadly diseases.
like a medicine] Or, to a medicine.
V. 23. A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosome] That is, secretly, as it were out of the bosome of the rich.
V. 24. Wisdom is before him that hath understanding, but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth] Eccles. 2. 14. and 8. 1.
Wisdom is before him that hath understanding] Easie to be gotten, or ready to guide him, or, appears in his face by his modest carriage: in fools, all is contrary.
V. 25. A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitternesse to her that bare him] Chap. 10. 1. and 15. 20. and 19. 13.
V. 26. nor to strike princes for equity] Or, that princes should strike for equity: That is, no man should suffer for well-doing.
V. 27. He that hath knowledge spareth his words] Jam. 1. 19. It is a sign of excellent wisdom for a man to moderate his speech at any time, but especially in his anger.
an excellent spirit] Or, a cool spirit.
V. 28. Even a fool when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise] Job. 13. 5.