Proverbs 19

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3 The folly of a man spoils his ways: and he blames God in his heart.

4 Wealth acquires many friends; but the poor is deserted even of the friend he has.

5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that accuses unjustly shall not escape.

6 Many court the favour of kings; but every bad man becomes a reproach to man.

7 Every one who hates poor brother shall also be far from friendship. Good understanding will draw near to them that know it, and a sensible man will find it. He that does much harm perfects mischief; and he that used provoking words shall not escape.

8 He that procures wisdom loves himself; and he that keeps wisdom shall find good.

9 A false witness shall not be unpunished; and whosoever shall kindle mischief shall perish by it.

10 Delight does not suit a fool, nor if a servant should begin to rule with haughtiness.

11 A merciful man is long-suffering; and his triumph overtakes transgressors.

12 The threatening of a king is like the roaring of a lion; but as dew on the grass, so is his favour.

13 A foolish son is a disgrace to his father: vows of the hire of a harlot are not pure.

14 Fathers divide house and substance to children: but a wife is suited to a man by the Lord.

15 Cowardice possesses the effeminate ; and the soul of the sluggard shall hunger.

16 He that keeps the commandment keeps his own soul; but he that despises his ways shall perish.

17 He that has pity on the poor lends to the Lord; and he will recompense to him according to his gift.

18 Chasten thy son, for so he shall be hopeful; and be not exalted in thy soul to haughtiness.

19 A malicious man shall be severely punished, and if he commit injury, he shall also lose his life.

20 Hear, son, the instruction of thy father, that thou mayest be wise at thy latter end.

21 many thoughts in a man's heart; but the counsel of the Lord abides for ever.

22 Mercy is a fruit to a man: and a poor man is better than a rich liar.

23 The fear of the Lord is life to a man: and he shall lodge without fear in places where knowledge is not seen.

24 He that unjustly hides his hands in his bosom, will not even them up to his mouth.

25 When a pestilent character is scourged, a simple man is made wiser: and if thou reprove a wise man, he will understand discretion.

26 He that dishonours his father, and drives away his mother, shall be disgraced and shall be exposed to reproach.

27 A son who ceases to attend to the instruction of a father will cherish evil designs.

28 He that becomes surety for a foolish child will despise the ordinance: and the mouth of ungodly men shall drink down judgment.

29 Scourges are preparing for the intemperate, and punishments likewise for fools.

Proverbs 19 Commentary

Chapter 19

Verse 1 A poor man who fears God, is more honourable and happy, than a man without wisdom and grace, however rich or advanced in rank. Verse 2 . What good can the soul do, if without knowledge? And he sins who will not take time to ponder the path of his feet. Verse 3 . Men run into troubles by their own folly, and then fret at the appointments of God. Verse 4 . Here we may see how strong is men's love of money. Verse 5 . Those that tell lies in discourse, are in a fair way to be guilty of bearing false-witness. Verse 6 . We are without excuse if we do not love God with all our hearts. His gifts to us are past number, and all the gifts of men to us are fruits of his bounty. Verse 7 . Christ was left by all his disciples; but the Father was with him. It encourages our faith that he had so large an experience of the sorrows of poverty. Verse 8 . Those only love their souls aright that get true wisdom. Verse 9 . Lying is a damning, destroying sin. Verse 10 . A man that has not wisdom and grace, has no right or title to true joy. It is very unseemly for one who is a servant to sin, to oppress God's free-men. Verse 11 . He attains the most true glory who endeavours most steadily to overcome evil with good. Verse 12 . Christ is a King, whose wrath against his enemies will be as the roaring of a lion, and his favour to his people as the refreshing dew. Verse 13 . It shows the vanity of the world, that we are liable to the greatest griefs where we promise ourselves the greatest comfort. Verse 14 . A discreet and virtuous wife is more valuable than house and riches. Verse 15 . A sluggish, slothful disposition makes men poor; it brings them to want. And this applies both to the present life and that which is to come. Verse 16 . If we keep God's word, God's word will keep us from every thing really hurtful. We abuse the doctrine of free grace, if we think that it does away the necessity and advantage of obedience. Those that live at random must die. This truth is clearly taught in words enough to alarm the stoutest sinner. Verse 17 . God has chosen the poor of this world, to be rich in faith, and heirs of his kingdom. Verse 18 . When parents keep under foolish tenderness, they do their best to render children a comfort to them, and happy in themselves. Verse 19 . The spared and spoiled child is likely to become a man of great wrath. Verse 20 . Those that would be wise in their latter end, must be taught and ruled when young. Verse 21 . What should we desire, but that all our purposes may agree with God's holy will? Verse 22 . It is far better to have a heart to do good, and want ability for it, than to have ability for it, and want a heart to it. Verse 23 . Those that live in the fear of God, shall get safety, satisfaction, and true and complete happiness. Verse 24 . Indolence, when indulged, so grows upon people, that they have no heart to do the most needful things for themselves. Verse 25 . A gentle rebuke goes farthest with a man of understanding. Verse 26 . The young man who wastes his father's substance, or makes his aged mother destitute, is hateful, and will come to disgrace. Verse 27 . It is the wisdom of young men to dread hearing such talk as puts loose and evil principles into the mind. Verse 28 . Those are the worst of sinners, who are glad of an opportunity to sin. Verse 29 . The unbelief of man shall not make God's threatenings of no effect. Christ himself, when bearing sins not his own, was not spared. Justice and judgment took hold of our blessed Surety; and will God spare obstinate sinners?

Footnotes

• [a]. Gr. boasting comes upon.
• [b]. Or, keeps down.
• [c]. Or, 'but he that is without fear (sc. of the Lord) shall dwell' etc.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 8

This chapter gives an account of the introduction of the ark into the temple, 1Ki 8:1-9 of the glory of the Lord filling it, 1Ki 8:10,11 of a speech Solomon made to the people concerning the building of the temple, and how he came to be engaged in it, 1Ki 8:12-21, of a prayer of his he put up on this occasion, requesting, that what supplications soever were made at any time, or on any account, by Israelites or strangers, might be accepted by the Lord, 1Ki 8:22-53, and of his blessing the people of Israel at the close of it, with some useful exhortations, 1Ki 8:54-61, and of the great number of sacrifices offered up by him, and the feast he made for the people, upon which he dismissed them, 1Ki 8:62-66.