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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - Proverbs 29:1 - 29:14
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Description of Stubbornness and Disobedience
v. 1. He that, being often reproved, hardeneth his neck, shaking off the reproofs with deliberate stubbornness, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy, for when the patience of God is exhausted, He will shut the door to repentance and bring ruin upon the offender.
v. 2. When the righteous are in authority, when they increase in numbers, when they are in the majority, the people rejoice, for such a condition serves to further the welfare of a nation; but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn, grieving on account of the harm which is bound to strike the country under the administration of the ungodly. cf Pro_28:12.
v. 3. Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father, who will, of course, share in the reward which the application of wisdom brings, 10:1; but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance, thus bringing disgrace upon himself and upon all his relatives.
v. 4. The king by judgment, by maintaining the cause of righteousness and justice, establisheth the land, so that it is in good condition, so that safety and prosperity are assured to all its citizens; but he that receiveth gifts, is influenced in his administration by bribes which are offered him, overthroweth it, for in such a manner good government is bound to be perverted.
v. 5. A man that flattereth his neighbor spreadeth a net for his feet, for all his fine talk lacks sincerity, serving merely as a veil of hypocrisy to keep his victim from realizing the peril into which he is being led.
v. 6. In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare, he is caught in his own wickedness; but the righteous doth sing and rejoice, not only for a moment, but constantly, on account of the good fortune which is the reward of virtue.
v. 7. The righteous considereth the cause of the poor, regarding them as entitled to certain rights in life; but the wicked regardeth not to know it, he refuses to listen to reason and to consider the right of the poor, he has neither compassion nor justice in his make-up.
v. 8. Scornful men bring a city into a snare, literally, "Men of mockery set on fire a city," namely, by exciting the passions and the party spirit of the people upon every occasion; but wise men turn away wrath, they work to subdue passions and to prove themselves peacemakers always.
v. 9. If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, trying to gain a point for his own cause, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest, that is, the fool will either fly into a rage or pretend to find the matter extremely funny, so that it is impossible to argue with him in a sane manner.
v. 10. The bloodthirsty hate the upright, since the conduct of the righteous is a constant reproof to them; but the just seek his soul, their aim being to uphold and preserve the upright.
v. 11. A fool uttereth all his mind, he is ready, upon the slightest occasion, to give vent to angry spite; but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards, he does not permit his angry feeling to get the better of him, but controls himself always.
v. 12. If a ruler hearken to lies, permitting his judgment to be swayed by lying flattery and exaggerated misrepresentations, all his servants are wicked, for since their master does not heed the truth, they are educated and trained in falsehood.
v. 13. The poor and the deceitful man, literally, "the usurer," the unmerciful creditor, meet together, they live side by side, as incongruous as it often seems; the Lord lighteneth both their eyes, they both owe their blessings to His kindness. Cf Mat_5:45.
v. 14. The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, with proper attention to his duty, so that he renders always a true judgment, his throne shall be established forever. cf Pro_20:28; Pro_25:5.