Proverbs 15
CHAPTER 15
1. soft--tender or gentle.
turneth . . . wrath--from any one.
stir up--as a smouldering fire is excited.
2. useth . . . aright--commends knowledge by its proper use.
poureth out--utters abundantly ( Proverbs 12:23 ), and so disgusts others.
3. beholding--watching (compare Proverbs 5:21 , Psalms 66:7 ).
4. A wholesome tongue--(Compare Margin), pacifying and soothing language.
tree of life--( Proverbs 3:18 , 11:30 ).
perverseness therein--cross, ill-natured language.
breach . . . spirit--(compare Isaiah 65:14 , Hebrew), grieves, instead of appeasing.
5. (Compare Proverbs 4:1 , 10:17 , 13:1-18 ).
is prudent--acts discreetly.
6. treasure--implying utility.
trouble--vexation and affliction.
7. (Compare Proverbs 10:20 Proverbs 10:21 ).
heart . . . not so--not right, or vain.
8, 9. The sacrifice [and] prayer--are acts of worship.
way . . . followeth . . . righteousness--denote conduct. God's regard for the worship and deeds of the righteous and wicked respectively, so stated in Psalms 50:17 , Isaiah 1:11 .
10. (Compare Proverbs 10:17 ).
the way--that in which God would have him to go ( Proverbs 2:13 , Psalms 119:1 ).
11. Hell--( Psalms 16:10 ).
destruction--or, "Abaddon," the place of the destroyer. All the unseen world is open to God, much more men's hearts.
12. (Compare Proverbs 9:8 ).
go unto the wise--to be instructed.
13. maketh . . . countenance--or, "benefits the countenance."
spirit is broken--and so the countenance is sad.
14. (Compare Proverbs 10:21 Proverbs 10:22 ). The wise grow wiser, the fools more foolish ( Proverbs 9:9 ).
15. The state of the heart governs the outward condition.
evil--sad, contrasted with the cheerfulness of a feast.
16. trouble--agitation, implying the anxieties and perplexities attending wealth held by worldlings ( Proverbs 16:18 , 1 Timothy 6:6 ).
17. dinner--or, "allowance" ( 2 Kings 25:30 )--
of herbs--and that the plainest.
and hatred--(compare Proverbs 10:12 Proverbs 10:18 ).
18. (Compare Proverbs 14:29 , 16:32 ).
19. The difficulties of the slothful result from want of energy; the righteous find a
plain [and open] way--literally, "a highway," by diligence ( 1 Samuel 10:7 , Psalms 1:3 ).
20. (Compare Proverbs 10:1 ).
21. walketh uprightly--and so finds his joy ( Proverbs 3:6 , 10:23 ).
22. Without counsel--or, "deliberation," implying a wise deference to the opinions of the wise and good, contrasted with rashness.
23. Good advice blesses the giver and receiver.