16 The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor; `But' he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they that lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.
Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating unjust gain; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou say unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou speak unto them, My little finger is thicker than my father's loins.
and spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
But the former governors that were before me were chargeable unto the people, and took of them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.
He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from taking a bribe, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from looking upon evil: He shall dwell on high; his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks; his bread shall be given `him'; his waters shall be sure.
Shalt thou reign, because thou strivest to excel in cedar? Did not thy father eat and drink, and do justice and righteousness? then it was well with him. He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. Was not this to know me? saith Jehovah. But thine eyes and thy heart are not but for thy covetousness, and for shedding innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do it.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Proverbs 28
Commentary on Proverbs 28 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 28
Pro 28:1
See here,
Pro 28:2
Note,
Pro 28:3
See here,
Pro 28:4
Note,
Pro 28:5
Note,
Pro 28:6
Here,
Pro 28:7
Note,
Pro 28:8
Note,
Pro 28:9
Note,
Pro 28:10
Here is,
Pro 28:11
Note,
Pro 28:12
Note,
Pro 28:13
Here is,
Pro 28:14
Here is,
Pro 28:15
It is written indeed, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people; but if he be a wicked ruler, that oppresses the people, especially the poor people, robbing them of the little they have and making a prey of them, whatever we may call him, this scripture calls him a roaring lion and a ranging bear.
Pro 28:16
Two things are here intimated to be the causes of the mal-administration of princes:-
Pro 28:17
This agrees with that ancient law, Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed (Gen. 9:6), and proclaims,
Pro 28:18
Note,
Pro 28:19
Note,
Pro 28:20
Here,
Pro 28:21
Note,
Pro 28:22
Here again Solomon shows the sin and folly of those that will be rich; they are resolved that they will be so, per fas, per nefas-right or wrong; they will be so with all speed; they are getting hastily an estate.
Pro 28:23
Note,
Pro 28:24
As Christ shows the absurdity and wickedness of those children who think it is no duty, in some cases, to maintain their parents (Mt. 15:5), so Solomon here shows the absurdity and wickedness of those who think it is no sin to rob their parents, either by force or secretly, by wheedling them or threatening them, or by wasting what they have, and (which is no better than robbing them) running into debt and leaving them to pay it. Now,
Pro 28:25
Note,
Pro 28:26
Here is,
Pro 28:27
Here is,
Pro 28:28
This is to the same purport with what we had, v. 12.