Westminster Annotations, Proverbs · Chapter 28
CHAP. XXVIII.
Vers. 1. THe wicked flee when no man pursueth] Levit. 26. 36. Because their own conscience accuseth them.
bold] Heb. confident.
V. 2. many are the princes thereof] The state of the commonwealth is oftentimes changed, as 1 Kings 16.
but by a man of understanding] It may be read. So because of men of understanding and knowledge, the princes life shall be prolonged. Which is a great benefit to the land, for many troubles come, where the government is often altered.
by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged] Or, by men of understanding and wisdom shall they likewise be prolonged.
V. 3. like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food] Which sweeps all the corn away.
which leaveth no food] Heb. without food.
V. 4. such as keep the law, contend with them] Not onelyonly condemn them, but resist them also.
V. 5. understand all things] 1 John 2. 20, 27.
V. 6. Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightnesse] Chap. 19. 1. Heb. in two wayes: That is, which goeth out of the way to the right hand, or to the left, or, that runs out of the mean into either extream, Deut. 5. 32. Josh. 1. 7.
V. 7. Whoso keepeth the law, is a wise son] Chap. 29. 3.
is a companion of riotous men] Or, feedeth gluttons.
V. 8. He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor] Chap. 13. 22. Eccles. 2. 26.
unjust gain increaseth his substance] Heb. by increase.
he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor] For God will take away the riches of the wicked usurer, and give them to him that shall do good with them.
V. 9. even his prayer shall be abomination] He that will not be taught by God, must not think that God will supply his need, Chap. 15. 8. Zech. 7. 11.
V. 10. Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit] Chap. 26. 27.
he shall fall himself into his own pit] He that seeks to draw good men into a trap, shall fall into it himself, while they hold their own.
V. 11. in his own conceit] Heb. in his eyes.
the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out] And findes him unwise.
V. 12. When righteous men do rejoyce, there is great glory] Verse 28. Chap. 11. 10. Eccles. 10. 6.
when the wicked rise, a man is hidden] Good men hide themselves for fear of oppression.
hidden] Or, sought for.
V. 13. He that covereth his sins, shall not prosper] Psal. 32. 5. 1 John 1. 9, 10.
and forsaketh them] It is not enough to confesse our sins, unlesse we also forsake them.
V. 14. Happy is the man that feareth alway] Which constantly standeth in aw of God, and is afraid to offend him at any time, Chap. 23. 17.
but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief] Rom. 11. 20.
V. 15. so is a wicked ruler over the poor people] For he leaves nothing, but undoes them utterly.
V. 16. understanding] Heb. understandings: That is, void of all kinde of wisdom.
is also a great oppressour] And therefore shall soon be cut off: as appears by the contrary in the end of the verse.
great oppressour] Heb. great of oppressions: That is, a very great oppressour.
V. 17. A man that doth violence to the blood of any person, shall flee to the pit, let no man stay him] Gen. 9. 6. Exod. 21. 14.
A man that doth violence to the blood of any person] Heb. is oppressed with. For blood lies heavy on a murderer, and will bring him to an untimely end, in despight of all his friends.
doth violence to the blood] Or, is oppressed with the blood.
person] Heb. soul.
V. 8. Whoso walketh uprightly, shall be saved] Chap. 10. 25.
but he that is perverse in his wayes] See notes on verse 6.
shall fall at once] Heb. in one of them. He that useth to halt now on one side, and then on another, will be sure to fall on one side or other.
V. 19. He that tilleth his land, shall have plenty of bread] Chap. 12. 11.
V. 20. A faithfull man] Heb. a man of faithfulnesses: That is, a very faithfull man.
A faithfull man shall abound with blessings] God will blesse them that are true in their contracts, and curse them that deal falsly, that they may be rich quickly.
but he that maketh haste to be rich, shall not be innocent] Chap. 13. 11. and 23. 4. 1 Tim. 6. 9.
innocent] Or, unpunished.
V. 21. To have respect of persons, is not good] Chap. 18. 5. and 24. 23.
for a piece of bread that man will transgresse] He that useth to take bribes, will easily be corrupted, and do unjustly for the smallest reward that is, Ezek. 13. 19.
V. 22. He that hasteth to be rich, hath an evil eye] Or, he that hath an evil eye, hasteth to be rich, verse 20.
hath an evil eye] That is, a covetous eye, Chap. 23. 6.
poverty] Or, reproach.
V. 23. He that rebuketh a man, afterwards shall finde more favour then he that flattereth with the tongue] Chap. 27. 6.
He that rebuketh a man, afterwards shall finde more favour] It may be the party reproved will be angry at first, but when he hath considered how justly he was reproved, he will love the reprover, 1 Pet. 2. 12. But flatterers please at first, till men perish by following their counsell, and then they curse them.
V. 24. a destroyer] Heb. a man destroying.
V. 25. He that is of a proud heart, stirreth up strife] Chap. 13. 10. He that trusts in his own strength, shall wast his goods at law: but he that trusts in God shall be rich.
V. 26. He that trusteth in his own heart, is a fool] And shall bring himself into many dangers, which he cannot get out of, for not considering wisely of his wayes.
V. 27. He that giveth unto the poor, shall not lack] Deut. 15. 8. Chap. 22. 9.
but he that hideth his eyes] Isai. 58. 7.
shall have many a curse] Chap. 11. 26.
V. 28. When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase] Verse 12. Chap. 29. 2.