26 Also to punish H6064 the just H6662 is not good, H2896 nor to strike H5221 princes H5081 for equity. H3476
He that justifieth H6663 the wicked, H7563 and he that condemneth H7561 the just, H6662 even they both H8147 are abomination H8441 to the LORD. H3068
It is not good H2896 to accept H5375 the person H6440 of the wicked, H7563 to overthrow H5186 the righteous H6662 in judgment. H4941
That be far H2486 from thee to do H6213 after this manner, H1697 to slay H4191 the righteous H6662 with the wicked: H7563 and that the righteous H6662 should be as the wicked, H7563 that be far H2486 from thee: Shall not the Judge H8199 of all the earth H776 do H6213 right? H4941
When Joab H3097 and all the host H6635 that was with him were come, H935 they told H5046 Joab, H3097 saying, H559 Abner H74 the son H1121 of Ner H5369 came H935 to the king, H4428 and he hath sent him away, H7971 and he is gone H3212 in peace. H7965 Then Joab H3097 came H935 to the king, H4428 and said, H559 What hast thou done? H6213 behold, Abner H74 came H935 unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, H7971 and he is quite H1980 gone? H3212 Thou knowest H3045 Abner H74 the son H1121 of Ner, H5369 that he came H935 to deceive H6601 thee, and to know H3045 thy going out H4161 and thy coming in, H4126 H3996 and to know H3045 all that thou doest. H6213
And I am this day H3117 weak, H7390 though anointed H4886 king; H4428 and these men H582 the sons H1121 of Zeruiah H6870 be too hard H7186 for me: the LORD H3068 shall reward H7999 the doer of evil H6213 according to his wickedness. H7451
And thus said H559 Shimei H8096 when he cursed, H7043 Come out, H3318 come out, H3318 thou bloody H1818 man, H376 and thou man H376 of Belial: H1100 The LORD H3068 hath returned H7725 upon thee all the blood H1818 of the house H1004 of Saul, H7586 in whose stead thou hast reigned; H4427 and the LORD H3068 hath delivered H5414 the kingdom H4410 into the hand H3027 of Absalom H53 thy son: H1121 and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, H7451 because thou art a bloody H1818 man. H376
Now therefore arise, H6965 go forth, H3318 and speak H1696 comfortably H3820 unto thy servants: H5650 for I swear H7650 by the LORD, H3068 if thou go not forth, H3318 there will not tarry H3885 one H376 with thee this night: H3915 and that will be worse H7489 unto thee than all the evil H7451 that befell H935 thee from thy youth H5271 until now.
Is it fit to say H559 to a king, H4428 Thou art wicked? H1100 and to princes, H5081 Ye are ungodly? H7563 How much less to him that accepteth H5375 not the persons H6440 of princes, H8269 nor regardeth H5234 the rich H7771 more than H6440 the poor? H1800 for they all are the work H4639 of his hands. H3027
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 17
Commentary on Proverbs 17 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 17
Pr 17:1-28.
1. sacrifices—or, "feasts" made with part of them (compare Pr 7:14; Le 2:3; 7:31).
with—literally, "of."
strife—its product, or attendant.
2. (Compare Pr 14:35).
causeth shame—(Pr 10:5).
shall … inheritance—that is, share a brother's part (compare Nu 27:4, 7).
3. God only knows, as He tries (Ps 12:6; 66:10) the heart.
4. Wicked doers and speakers alike delight in calumny.
5. (Compare Pr 14:31).
glad at calamities—rejoicing in others' evil. Such are rightly punished by God, who knows their hearts.
6. Prolonged posterity is a blessing, its cutting off a curse (Pr 13:22; Ps 109:13-15), hence children may glory in virtuous ancestry.
7. Excellent speech—(Compare Margin). Such language as ill suits a fool, as lying (ought to suit) a prince (Pr 16:12, 13).
8. One so corrupt as to take a bribe evinces his high estimate of it by subjection to its influence (Pr 18:16; 19:6).
9. seeketh love—(Compare Margin). The contrast is between the peace-maker and tale-bearer.
10. Reproof more affects the wise than severe scourging, fools.
11. Such meet just retribution (1Ki 2:25).
a cruel messenger—one to inflict it.
12. They are less rational in anger than wild beasts.
13. (Compare Ps 7:4; 35:12).
evil—injury to another (Pr 13:21).
14. letteth … water—as a breach in a dam.
before … meddled with—before strife has become sharp, or, by an explanation better suiting the figure, before it rolls on, or increases.
15. abomination … Lord—as reversing His method of acting (Pr 3:32; 12:2).
16. Though wealth cannot buy wisdom for those who do not love it, yet wisdom procures wealth (Pr 3:16; 14:24).
17. To the second of these parallel clauses, there is an accession of meaning, that is, that a brother's love is specially seen in adversity.
18. (Compare Pr 6:1-5; 11:15).
in the presence, &c.—that is, he either fails to consult his friend, or to follow his advice.
19. strife—contention is, and leads to, sin.
he that exalteth his gate—gratifies a vain love of costly building.
seeketh—or, "findeth," as if he sought (compare "loveth death," Pr 8:36).
20. The second clause advances on the first. The ill-natured fail of good, and the cavilling and fault-finding incur evil.
21. (Compare Pr 23:24). Different words are rendered by "fool," both denoting stupidity and impiety.
22. (Compare Pr 14:30; 15:13). The effect of the mind on the body is well known.
medicine—or, "body," which better corresponds with "bone."
drieth—as if the marrow were exhausted.
23. a gift … bosom—Money and other valuables were borne in a fold of the garment, called the bosom.
to pervert—that is, by bribery.
24. Wisdom … him—ever an object of regard, while a fool's affections are unsettled.
25. a grief—or cross, vexation (compare Pr 17:21; 10:1).
26. Also—that is, Equally to be avoided are other sins: punishing good subjects, or resisting good rulers.
27, 28. Prudence of speech is commended as is an excellent or calm spirit, not excited to vain conversation.