Westminster Annotations, Proverbs · Chapter 24
CHAP. XXIIII.
Vers. 1. ENvious against evil men] Psal. 37. 1, &c. and 73. 3.
Chap. 23. 17. Verse 19.
V. 2. For their heart studieth destruction] Psal. 10. 7.
V. 5. A wise man is strong] His wisedom is to him in stead of strength, and he can do that by wisedom, which cannot be done by strength, chap. 21. 22. Eccles. 9. 16.
is strong] Heb. is in strength.
encreaseth strength] Heb. strengtheneth might.
V. 6. For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war] Chap. 20. 18. and 11. 14. and 15. 22.
V. 7. Wisedom is too high for a fool] Heb. wisedoms: that is, the most excellent wisedom, as chap. 9. 1.
he openeth not his mouth in the gate] In place of judicature, where wisedom should be shewed, Ruth. 4. 1.
V. 8. shall be called a mischievous person] Heb. a master of mischievous devices: that is, a most mischievous person.
a mischievous person] Heb. a master of wicked imaginations.
V. 10. If thou faint in the day of adversitie] Man hath no triall of his strength, till he be in trouble: faintnesse then discovers weaknesse.
small] Heb. narrow.
V. 11. If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death] Psal. 82. 4.
V. 12. doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it?] None can be excused, if he help not the innocent when he is in danger, having ability and opportunity so to do, chap. 31. 8, 9. for God observeth his neglect, to punish him. See Job 7. 20. Jer. 17. 9, 10.
Keepeth] Or, observeth.
according to his works?] Job 34. 11. Psal. 62. 12. Jer. 32. 19. Rom. 2. 6. Rev. 22. 12.
V. 13. eat thou honey] As honey is sweet, and pleasant to the taste, so wisedom is to the soul.
to thy taste] Or, upon thy palate.
V. 14. So shall the knowledge of wisedom be unto thy soul] Psal. 19. 10. and 119. 103.
then there shall be a reward] Chap. 23. 18.
V. 16. For a just] Or, For though a just.
and riseth] Or, yet he riseth.
and riseth up again] Though thou bring him down often by thy wicked devices, yet God will raise him up again still; but thou shalt fall for good and all.
For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again, &c.] Job 5. 19. Psal. 34. 19. and 37. 24.
V. 17. Rejoyce not when thine enemie falleth] Job 31. 29. Psal. 35. 15. chap. 17. 5.
V. 18. it displease him] Heb. it be evil in his eyes.
and he turn away his wrath from him] To be avenged on thee.
V. 12. Fret not thy self because of evil men] Psal. 37. 1. chap. 23. 17. Or, keep not company with the wicked.
V. 20. For there shall be no reward to the evil man] No good reward: for reward, in Hebrew it is end, because the reward is not given till the work be ended; and the generall reward will be in the end of the world.
the candle of the wicked shall be put out] Job 21. 17. Chap. 13. 9.
candle] Or, lamp.
V. 21. meddle not with] Or, mix not thy self with.
them that are given to change] Heb. changers.
V. 22. who knoweth the ruine of them both?] Of them that fear not God, and of them that fear not the king: or, proceeding both from God and the king.
V. 23. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgement] Levit. 19. 15. Deut. 1. 17. and 16. 19. Chap. 18. 5. and 28. 21. John 7. 24.
V. 24. He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse] Chap. 17. 15. Isai. 5. 23.
V. 25. a good blessing] Heb. a blessing of good.
V. 26. Every man shall kisse his lips that giveth a right answer] Or, he that giveth a right answer, kisseth the lips: that is, shews himself a friend.
that giveth a right answer] Heb. that answereth right words.
V. 27. and afterwards build thine house] Be sure of the means how to compasse it, before thou take any enterprise in hand, Luke 14. 28, &c.
V. 29. Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me] Chap. 20. 22.
I will render to the man according to his work] He sheweth what is the nature of the wicked, To revenge wrong with wrong, Matth. 5. 39. Rom. 12. 17.
V. 32. considered it well] Heb. set my heart.
and received instruction] I learned, by another mans damage, to look well to mine own affairs.
V. 33. Yet a little sleep, &c.] Chap. 6. 9, &c.
V. 34. povertie] Heb. poverties.
want] Heb. wants.
an armed man] Heb. a man of shield.