Pro 20:1
Here is,
1. The mischief of drunkenness:
2. The folly of drunkards is easily inferred thence.
Pro 20:2
See here,
1. How formidable kings are, and what a terror they strike upon those they are angry with.
2. How unwise therefore those are that quarrel with them, that are angry at them, and so provoke them to anger. They sin against their own lives. Much more do those do so that provoke the King of kings to anger.
Pro 20:3
This is designed to rectify men's mistakes concerning strife.
1. Men think it is their wisdom to engage in quarrels; whereas it is the greatest folly that can be.
2. Men think, when they are engaged in quarrels, that it would be a shame to them to go back and let fall the weapon; whereas really it is an honour for a man to cease from strife, an honour to withdraw an action, to drop a controversy, to forgive an injury, and to be friends with those that we have fallen out with. It is the honour of a man, a wise man, a man of spirit, to show the command he has of himself by ceasing from strife, yielding, and stooping, and receding from his just demands, for peace-sake, as Abraham, the better man, Gen. 13:8.
Pro 20:4
See here the evil of slothfulness and the love of ease.
1. It keeps men from the most necessary business, from ploughing and sowing when the season is.
2. Thereby it deprives them of the most necessary supports: Those that would not provide oil in their vessels begged when the bridegroom came, and were denied.
Pro 20:5
A man's wisdom is here said to be of use to him for the pumping of other people, and diving into them,
1. To get the knowledge of them.
2. To get knowledge by them.
Pro 20:6
Note,
1. It is easy to find those that will pretend to be kind and liberal.
2. But it is hard to find those that really are kind and liberal, that have done and will do more than either they speak of or care to hear spoken of, that will be true friends in a strait; such a one as one may trust to is like a black swan.
Pro 20:7
It is here observed to the honour of a good man,
1. That he does well for himself.
2. That he does well for his family:
Pro 20:8
Here is,
1. The character of a good governor: (1 Ki. 10:9).
2. The happy effect of a good government.
Pro 20:9
This question is not only a challenge to any man in the world to prove himself sinless, whatever he pretends, but a lamentation of the corruption of mankind, even that which remains in the best. Alas! Who can say, "I am sinless?' Observe,
1. Who the persons are that are excluded from these pretensions-all, one as well as another. Here, in this imperfect state, no person whatsoever can pretend to be without sin. Adam could say so in innocency, and saints can say so in heaven, but none in this life. Those that think themselves as good as they should be cannot, nay, and those that are really good will not, dare not, say this.
2. What the pretension is that is excluded. We cannot say, We have made our hearts clean.
Pro 20:10
See here,
1. The various arts of deceiving that men have, all which evils the love of money is the root of.
2. The displeasure of God against them.
Pro 20:11
The tree is known by its fruits, a man by his doings, even a young tree by its first fruits, a child by his childish things, whether his work be clean only, appearing good (the word is used ch. 16:2), or whether it be right, that is, really good. This intimates,
1. That children will discover themselves.
2. That parents should observe their children,
Pro 20:12
Note,
1. God is the God of nature, and all the powers and faculties of nature are derived from him and depend upon him, and therefore are to be employed for him.
2. God is the God of grace. It is he that gives the ear that hears God's voice, they eye that sees his beauty, for it is he that opens the understanding.
Pro 20:13
Note,
1. Those that indulge themselves in their ease may expect to want necessaries, which should have been gotten by honest labour.
2. Those that stir up themselves to their business may expect to have conveniences:
Pro 20:14
See here
1. What arts men use to get a good bargain and to buy cheap.
2. What pride and pleasure men take in a good bargain when they have got it, though therein they contradict themselves, and own they dissembled when they were driving the bargain.
Pro 20:15
The lips of knowledge (a good understanding to guide the lips and a good elocution to diffuse the knowledge) are to be preferred far before gold, and pearl, and rubies; for,
1. They are more rare in themselves, more scarce and hard to be got. There is gold in many a man's pocket that has no grace in his heart.
2. They are more enriching to us and more adorning. They make us rich towards God, rich in good works, 1 Tim. 2:9, 10.
Pro 20:16
Two sorts of persons are here spoken of that are ruining their own estates, and will be beggars shortly, and therefore are not to be trusted with any good security:-
1. Those that will be bound for any body that will ask them, that entangle themselves in rash suretiship to oblige their idle companions; they will break at last, nay, they cannot hold out long; these waste by wholesale.
2. Those that are in league with abandoned women, that treat them, and court them, and keep company with them. They will be beggars in a little time; never give them credit without good pledge. Strange women have strange ways of impoverishing men to enrich themselves.
Pro 20:17
Note,
1. Sin may possibly be pleasant in the commission, but,
2. It will be bitter in reflection.
Pro 20:18
Note,
1. It is good in every thing to act with deliberation, and to consult with ourselves at least, and, in matters of moment, with our friends, too, before we determine, but especially to ask counsel of God, and beg direction from him, and observe the guidance of this eye.
2. It is especially our wisdom to be cautious in making war. Consider, and take advice, whether the war should be begun or no, whether it be just, whether it be prudent, whether we be a match for the enemy, and able to carry it on when it is too late to retreat (Lu. 14:31); and, when it is begun, consider how and by what arts it may be prosecuted, for management is as necessary as courage. Going to law is a kind of going to war, and therefore must be done with good advice, Prov. 25:8.
Pro 20:19
Two sorts of people are dangerous to be conversed with:-
1. Tale-bearers, though they are commonly flatterers, and by fair speeches insinuate themselves into men's acquaintance.
2. Flatterers, for they are commonly tale-bearers.
Pro 20:20
Here is,
1. An undutiful child become very wicked by degrees.
2. An undutiful child become very miserable at last:
Pro 20:21
Note,
1. It is possible that an estate may be suddenly raised.
2. An estate that is suddenly raised is often as suddenly ruined.
Pro 20:22
Those that live in this world must expect to have injuries done them, affronts given them, and trouble wrongfully created them, for we dwell among briers. Now here we are told what to do when we have wrong done us.
1. We must not avenge ourselves, no, nor so much as think of revenge, or design it:
2. We must refer ourselves to God, and leave it to him to plead our cause, to maintain our right, and reckon with those that do us wrong in such a way and manner as he thinks fit and in his own due time: David hoped, when Shimei cursed him, 2 Sa. 16:12.
Pro 20:23
This is to the same purport with what was said v. 20.
1. It is here repeated, because it is a sin that God doubly hates (as lying, which is of the same nature with this sin, is mentioned twice among the seven things that God hates, ch. 6:17, 19), and because it was probably a sin very much practised at that time in Israel, and therefore made light of as if there were no harm in it, under pretence that, being commonly used, there was no trading without it.
2. It is here added, A false balance is not good, to intimate that it is not only abominable to God, but unprofitable to the sinner himself; there is really no good to be got by it, no, not a good bargain, for a bargain made by fraud will prove a losing bargain in the end.
Pro 20:24
We are here taught that in all our affairs,
1. We have a necessary and constant dependence upon God.
2. We have no foresight of future events, and therefore know not how to forecast for them:
Pro 20:25
Two things, by which God is greatly affronted, men are here said to be ensnared by, and entangled not only in guilt, but in trouble and ruin at length:-
1. Sacrilege, men's alienating holy things and converting them to their own use, which is here called devouring them. y.
2. Covenant-breaking. when we have opened our mouth to the Lord, it is too late to think of going back, Acts 5:4.
Pro 20:26
See here,
1. What is the business of magistrates.
2. What is the qualification of magistrates, which is necessary in order to do this.
Pro 20:27
We have here the dignity of the soul, the great soul of man, that light which lighteth every man.
1. It is a divine light; it is the candle of the Lord, a candle of his lighting, for it is the inspiration of the Almighty that gives us understanding.
2. It is a discovering light.
Pro 20:28
Here we have,
1. The virtues of a good king.
2. The advantages he gains thereby.
Pro 20:29
This shows that both young and old have their advantages, and therefore must each of them be, according to their capacities, serviceable to the public, and neither of them despise nor envy the other.
1. Let not old people despise the young, for they are strong and fit for action, able to go through business and break through difficulties, which the aged and weak cannot grapple with. The glory of young men is their strength, provided they use it well (in the service of God and their country, not of their lusts), and that they be not proud of it nor trust to it.
2. Let not young people despise the old, for they are grave, and fit for counsel, and, though they have not the strength that young men have, yet they have more wisdom and experience.
Pro 20:30
Note,
1. Many need severe rebukes.
2. Severe rebukes sometimes do a great deal of good, as corrosives contribute to the cure of a wound, eating out the proud flesh. The rod drives out even that foolishness which was bound up in the heart, and cleanses away the evil there.
3. Frequently those that most need severe rebukes can worse bear them. Such is the corruption of nature that men are as loth to be rebuked sharply for their sins as to be beaten till their bones ache. Correction is grievous to him that forsakes the way, and yet it is good for him, Heb. 12:11.
Here is,
1. The mischief of drunkenness:
2. The folly of drunkards is easily inferred thence.
Pro 20:2
See here,
1. How formidable kings are, and what a terror they strike upon those they are angry with.
2. How unwise therefore those are that quarrel with them, that are angry at them, and so provoke them to anger. They sin against their own lives. Much more do those do so that provoke the King of kings to anger.
Pro 20:3
This is designed to rectify men's mistakes concerning strife.
1. Men think it is their wisdom to engage in quarrels; whereas it is the greatest folly that can be.
2. Men think, when they are engaged in quarrels, that it would be a shame to them to go back and let fall the weapon; whereas really it is an honour for a man to cease from strife, an honour to withdraw an action, to drop a controversy, to forgive an injury, and to be friends with those that we have fallen out with. It is the honour of a man, a wise man, a man of spirit, to show the command he has of himself by ceasing from strife, yielding, and stooping, and receding from his just demands, for peace-sake, as Abraham, the better man, Gen. 13:8.
Pro 20:4
See here the evil of slothfulness and the love of ease.
1. It keeps men from the most necessary business, from ploughing and sowing when the season is.
2. Thereby it deprives them of the most necessary supports: Those that would not provide oil in their vessels begged when the bridegroom came, and were denied.
Pro 20:5
A man's wisdom is here said to be of use to him for the pumping of other people, and diving into them,
1. To get the knowledge of them.
2. To get knowledge by them.
Pro 20:6
Note,
1. It is easy to find those that will pretend to be kind and liberal.
2. But it is hard to find those that really are kind and liberal, that have done and will do more than either they speak of or care to hear spoken of, that will be true friends in a strait; such a one as one may trust to is like a black swan.
Pro 20:7
It is here observed to the honour of a good man,
1. That he does well for himself.
2. That he does well for his family:
Pro 20:8
Here is,
1. The character of a good governor: (1 Ki. 10:9).
2. The happy effect of a good government.
Pro 20:9
This question is not only a challenge to any man in the world to prove himself sinless, whatever he pretends, but a lamentation of the corruption of mankind, even that which remains in the best. Alas! Who can say, "I am sinless?' Observe,
1. Who the persons are that are excluded from these pretensions-all, one as well as another. Here, in this imperfect state, no person whatsoever can pretend to be without sin. Adam could say so in innocency, and saints can say so in heaven, but none in this life. Those that think themselves as good as they should be cannot, nay, and those that are really good will not, dare not, say this.
2. What the pretension is that is excluded. We cannot say, We have made our hearts clean.
Pro 20:10
See here,
1. The various arts of deceiving that men have, all which evils the love of money is the root of.
2. The displeasure of God against them.
Pro 20:11
The tree is known by its fruits, a man by his doings, even a young tree by its first fruits, a child by his childish things, whether his work be clean only, appearing good (the word is used ch. 16:2), or whether it be right, that is, really good. This intimates,
1. That children will discover themselves.
2. That parents should observe their children,
Pro 20:12
Note,
1. God is the God of nature, and all the powers and faculties of nature are derived from him and depend upon him, and therefore are to be employed for him.
2. God is the God of grace. It is he that gives the ear that hears God's voice, they eye that sees his beauty, for it is he that opens the understanding.
Pro 20:13
Note,
1. Those that indulge themselves in their ease may expect to want necessaries, which should have been gotten by honest labour.
2. Those that stir up themselves to their business may expect to have conveniences:
Pro 20:14
See here
1. What arts men use to get a good bargain and to buy cheap.
2. What pride and pleasure men take in a good bargain when they have got it, though therein they contradict themselves, and own they dissembled when they were driving the bargain.
Pro 20:15
The lips of knowledge (a good understanding to guide the lips and a good elocution to diffuse the knowledge) are to be preferred far before gold, and pearl, and rubies; for,
1. They are more rare in themselves, more scarce and hard to be got. There is gold in many a man's pocket that has no grace in his heart.
2. They are more enriching to us and more adorning. They make us rich towards God, rich in good works, 1 Tim. 2:9, 10.
Pro 20:16
Two sorts of persons are here spoken of that are ruining their own estates, and will be beggars shortly, and therefore are not to be trusted with any good security:-
1. Those that will be bound for any body that will ask them, that entangle themselves in rash suretiship to oblige their idle companions; they will break at last, nay, they cannot hold out long; these waste by wholesale.
2. Those that are in league with abandoned women, that treat them, and court them, and keep company with them. They will be beggars in a little time; never give them credit without good pledge. Strange women have strange ways of impoverishing men to enrich themselves.
Pro 20:17
Note,
1. Sin may possibly be pleasant in the commission, but,
2. It will be bitter in reflection.
Pro 20:18
Note,
1. It is good in every thing to act with deliberation, and to consult with ourselves at least, and, in matters of moment, with our friends, too, before we determine, but especially to ask counsel of God, and beg direction from him, and observe the guidance of this eye.
2. It is especially our wisdom to be cautious in making war. Consider, and take advice, whether the war should be begun or no, whether it be just, whether it be prudent, whether we be a match for the enemy, and able to carry it on when it is too late to retreat (Lu. 14:31); and, when it is begun, consider how and by what arts it may be prosecuted, for management is as necessary as courage. Going to law is a kind of going to war, and therefore must be done with good advice, Prov. 25:8.
Pro 20:19
Two sorts of people are dangerous to be conversed with:-
1. Tale-bearers, though they are commonly flatterers, and by fair speeches insinuate themselves into men's acquaintance.
2. Flatterers, for they are commonly tale-bearers.
Pro 20:20
Here is,
1. An undutiful child become very wicked by degrees.
2. An undutiful child become very miserable at last:
Pro 20:21
Note,
1. It is possible that an estate may be suddenly raised.
2. An estate that is suddenly raised is often as suddenly ruined.
Pro 20:22
Those that live in this world must expect to have injuries done them, affronts given them, and trouble wrongfully created them, for we dwell among briers. Now here we are told what to do when we have wrong done us.
1. We must not avenge ourselves, no, nor so much as think of revenge, or design it:
2. We must refer ourselves to God, and leave it to him to plead our cause, to maintain our right, and reckon with those that do us wrong in such a way and manner as he thinks fit and in his own due time: David hoped, when Shimei cursed him, 2 Sa. 16:12.
Pro 20:23
This is to the same purport with what was said v. 20.
1. It is here repeated, because it is a sin that God doubly hates (as lying, which is of the same nature with this sin, is mentioned twice among the seven things that God hates, ch. 6:17, 19), and because it was probably a sin very much practised at that time in Israel, and therefore made light of as if there were no harm in it, under pretence that, being commonly used, there was no trading without it.
2. It is here added, A false balance is not good, to intimate that it is not only abominable to God, but unprofitable to the sinner himself; there is really no good to be got by it, no, not a good bargain, for a bargain made by fraud will prove a losing bargain in the end.
Pro 20:24
We are here taught that in all our affairs,
1. We have a necessary and constant dependence upon God.
2. We have no foresight of future events, and therefore know not how to forecast for them:
Pro 20:25
Two things, by which God is greatly affronted, men are here said to be ensnared by, and entangled not only in guilt, but in trouble and ruin at length:-
1. Sacrilege, men's alienating holy things and converting them to their own use, which is here called devouring them. y.
2. Covenant-breaking. when we have opened our mouth to the Lord, it is too late to think of going back, Acts 5:4.
Pro 20:26
See here,
1. What is the business of magistrates.
2. What is the qualification of magistrates, which is necessary in order to do this.
Pro 20:27
We have here the dignity of the soul, the great soul of man, that light which lighteth every man.
1. It is a divine light; it is the candle of the Lord, a candle of his lighting, for it is the inspiration of the Almighty that gives us understanding.
2. It is a discovering light.
Pro 20:28
Here we have,
1. The virtues of a good king.
2. The advantages he gains thereby.
Pro 20:29
This shows that both young and old have their advantages, and therefore must each of them be, according to their capacities, serviceable to the public, and neither of them despise nor envy the other.
1. Let not old people despise the young, for they are strong and fit for action, able to go through business and break through difficulties, which the aged and weak cannot grapple with. The glory of young men is their strength, provided they use it well (in the service of God and their country, not of their lusts), and that they be not proud of it nor trust to it.
2. Let not young people despise the old, for they are grave, and fit for counsel, and, though they have not the strength that young men have, yet they have more wisdom and experience.
Pro 20:30
Note,
1. Many need severe rebukes.
2. Severe rebukes sometimes do a great deal of good, as corrosives contribute to the cure of a wound, eating out the proud flesh. The rod drives out even that foolishness which was bound up in the heart, and cleanses away the evil there.
3. Frequently those that most need severe rebukes can worse bear them. Such is the corruption of nature that men are as loth to be rebuked sharply for their sins as to be beaten till their bones ache. Correction is grievous to him that forsakes the way, and yet it is good for him, Heb. 12:11.
No comments:
Post a Comment