10 Material comfort is not good for the foolish; much less for a servant to be put over rulers.
For three things the earth is moved, and there are four which it will not put up with: A servant when he becomes a king; a man without sense when his wealth is increased;
Like snow in summer and rain when the grain is being cut, so honour is not natural for the foolish.
And in that day the Lord, the Lord of armies, was looking for weeping, and cries of sorrow, cutting off of the hair, and putting on the clothing of grief: But in place of these there was joy and delight, oxen and sheep were being made ready for food, there was feasting and drinking: men said, Now is the time for food and wine, for tomorrow death comes. And the Lord of armies said to me secretly, Truly, this sin will not be taken from you till your death, says the Lord, the Lord of armies.
Be troubled, with sorrow and weeping; let your laughing be turned to sorrow and your joy to grief.
And in hell, being in great pain, lifting up his eyes he saw Abraham, far away, and Lazarus on his breast.
You who put far away the evil day, causing the rule of the violent to come near; Who are resting on beds of ivory, stretched out on soft seats, feasting on lambs from the flock and young oxen from the cattle-house; Making foolish songs to the sound of corded instruments, and designing for themselves instruments of music, like David; Drinking wine in basins, rubbing themselves with the best oils; but they have no grief for the destruction of Joseph.
Have no joy, O Israel, and do not be glad like the nations; for you have been untrue to your God; your desire has been for the loose woman's reward on every grain-floor.
In their sin they make a king for themselves, and rulers in their deceit. They are all untrue; they are like a burning oven; the bread-maker does not make up the fire from the time when the paste is mixed till it is leavened. On the day of our king, the rulers made him ill with the heat of wine; his hand was stretched out with the men of pride.
And Abigail went back to Nabal; and he was feasting in his house like a king; and Nabal's heart was full of joy, for he had taken much wine; so she said nothing to him till dawn came.
Cursed are those who get up early in the morning to give themselves up to strong drink; who keep on drinking far into the night till they are heated with wine! And corded instruments and wind-instruments and wine are in their feasts: but they give no thought to the work of the Lord, and they are not interested in what his hands are doing.
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, like an error which comes by chance from a ruler: The foolish are placed in high positions, but men of wealth are kept low. I have seen servants on horses, and rulers walking on the earth as servants.
Fair words are not to be looked for from a foolish man, much less are false lips in a ruler.
While I, though I am crowned king, have little strength, and these men, the sons of Zeruiah, are out of my control: may the Lord give to the evil-doer the reward of his evil-doing!
Then Joab came to the king, and said, What have you done? when Abner came to you why did you send him away and let him go? Is it not clear to you that Abner, the son of Ner, came with deceit to get knowledge of your going out and your coming in and of all you are doing?
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 19
Commentary on Proverbs 19 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 19
Pr 19:1-29.
1. (Compare Pr 28:6). "Rich" for fool here. Integrity is better than riches (Pr 15:16, 17; 16:8).
2. The last illustrates the first clause. Rashness, the result of ignorance, brings trouble.
3. perverteth … way—turns him back from right (Pr 13:6; Jas 1:13); and he blames God for his failures.
4. (Compare Pr 14:20). Such facts are often adduced with implied disapprobation.
5. Compare Pr 19:9, where perish explains not escape here (compare Ps 88:9, 10).
8. (Compare Margin; Pr 15:32).
loveth … soul—or, "himself," which he evinces by regarding his best interests.
keepeth—or, "regards."
10. (Compare Pr 17:7). The fool is incapable of properly using pleasure as knowledge, yet for him to have it is less incongruous than the undue elevation of servants. Let each abide in his calling (1Co 7:20).
11. (Compare Pr 14:29; 16:32). This inculcation of a forgiving spirit shows that true religion is always the same (Mt 5:22-24).
12. (Compare Pr 16:14, 15; 20:2). A motive to submission to lawful authority.
13. calamity—literally, "calamities," varied and many.
continual dropping—a perpetual annoyance, wearing out patience.
14. A contrast of men's gifts and God's, who, though author of both blessings, confers the latter by His more special providence.
and—or, "but," implying that the evils of Pr 19:13 are only avoided by His care.
15. a deep sleep—a state of utter indifference.
idle soul—or, "person" (compare Pr 10:4; 12:24).
16. (Compare Pr 10:17; 13:13).
despiseth … ways—opposed to keeping or observing, neglects (Pr 16:17) (as unworthy of regard) his moral conduct.
17. (Compare Pr 14:21; Ps 37:26).
hath pity—shown by acts (compare Margin).
18. (Compare Pr 13:24; 23:13).
let not … spare—literally, "do not lift up thy soul" (Ps 24:4; 25:1), that is, do not desire to his death; a caution to passionate parents against angry chastisement.
19. Repeated efforts of kindness are lost on ill-natured persons.
20. (Compare Pr 13:18-20).
latter end—(Pr 5:11). In youth prepare for age.
21. (Compare Pr 16:1, 9; Ps 33:10, 11). The failure of man's devices is implied.
22. desire—that is, to do good, indicates a kind disposition (Pr 11:23); and the poor thus affected are better than liars, who say and do not.
23. The fear … life—(Compare Pr 3:2).
abide—or, "remain contented" (1Ti 4:8).
not visited with evil—(Pr 10:3; Ps 37:25), as a judgment, in which sense visit is often used (Ps 89:32; Jer 6:15).
24. bosom—literally, a wide dish in which the hand was plunged in eating (Mt 26:23). Compare Pr 26:15, the sentiment expressed with equal irony and less exaggeration.
25. Such is the benefit of reproof; even the simple profit, much more the wise.
26. Unfilial conduct often condemned (Pr 17:21-25; 20:20; De 21:18, 21).
27. Avoid whatever leads from truth.
28. ungodly witness—(Compare Margin), one false by bad principles (compare Pr 6:12).
scorneth judgment—sets at naught the dictates of justice.
devoureth—literally, "swalloweth," as something delightful.
29. Their punishment is sure, fixed, and ready (compare Pr 3:34; 10:13).