Proverbs 28

1 The ungodly flees when no one pursues: but the righteous is confident as a lion.

2 By reason of the sins of ungodly men quarrels arise; but a wise man will quell them.

3 A bold man oppresses the poor by ungodly deeds. As an impetuous and profitable rain,

4 so they that forsake the law praise ungodliness; but they that love the law fortify themselves with a wall.

5 Evil men will not understand judgment: but they that seek the Lord will understand everything.

6 A poor man walking in truth is better than a rich liar.

7 A wise son keeps the law: but he that keeps up debauchery dishonours his father.

8 He that increases his wealth by usuries and gains, gathers it for him that pities the poor.

9 He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, even he has made his prayer abominable.

10 He that causes upright men to err in an evil way, himself shall fall into destruction: transgressor also shall pass by prosperity, but shall not enter into it.

11 A rich man is wise in his own conceit; but an intelligent poor man will condemn him.

12 By reason of the help of righteous men great glory arises: but in the places of the ungodly men are caught.

13 He that covers his own ungodliness shall not prosper: but he that blames shall be loved.

14 Blessed is the man who religiously fears always: but the hard of heart shall fall into mischiefs.

15 A hungry lion and a thirsty wolf , who, being poor, rules over a poor nation.

16 A king in need of revenues is a great oppressor: but he that hates injustice shall live a long time.

17 He that becomes surety for a man charged with murder shall be an exile, and not in safety. Chasten thy son, and he shall love thee, and give honour to thy soul: he shall not obey a sinful nation.

18 He that walks justly is assisted: but he that walks in crooked ways shall be entangled .

19 He that tills his own land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that follows idleness shall have plenty of poverty.

20 A man worthy of credit shall be much blessed: but the wicked shall not be unpunished.

21 He that reverences not the persons of the just is not good: such a one will sell a man for a morsel of bread.

22 An envious man makes haste to be rich, and knows not that the merciful man will have the mastery over him.

23 He that reproves a man's ways shall have more favour than he that flatters with the tongue.

24 He that casts off father or mother, and thinks he sins not; the same is partaker with an ungodly man.

25 An unbelieving man judges rashly: but he that trusts in the Lord will act carefully.

26 He that trusts to a bold heart, such an one is a fool: but he that walks in wisdom shall be safe.

27 He that gives to the poor shall not be in want: but he that turns away his eye shall be in great distress.

28 In the places of ungodly the righteous mourn: but in their destruction the righteous shall be multiplied.

Proverbs 28 Commentary

Chapter 28

Verse 1 Sin makes men cowards. Whatever difficulties the righteous meet in the way of duty, they are not daunted. Verse 2 . National sins disturb the public repose. Verse 3 . If needy persons get opportunities of oppressing, their extortion will be more severe than that of the more wealthy. Verse 4 . Wicked people strengthen one another in wicked ways. Verse 5 . If a man seeks the Lord, it is a good sign that he understands much, and it is a good means of understanding more. Verse 6 . An honest, godly, poor man, is better than a wicked, ungodly, rich man; has more comfort in himself, and is a greater blessing to the world. Verse 7 . Companions of riotous men not only grieve their parents, but shame them. Verse 8 . That which is ill got, though it may increase much, will not last long. Thus the poor are repaid, and God is glorified. Verse 9 . The sinner at whose prayers God is angry, is one who obstinately refuses to obey God's commands. Verse 10 . The success of ungodly men is their own misery. Verse 11 . Rich men are so flattered, that they think themselves superior to others. Verse 12 . There is glory in the land when the righteous have liberty. Verse 13 . It is folly to indulge sin, and excuse it. He who covers his sins, shall not have any true peace. He who humbly confesses his sins, with true repentance and faith, shall find mercy from God. The Son of God is our great atonement. Under a deep sense of our guilt and danger, we may claim salvation from that mercy which reigns through righteousness unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord. Verse 14 . There is a fear which causes happiness. Faith and love will deliver from the fear of eternal misery; but we should always fear offending God, and fear sinning against him. Verse 15 . A wicked ruler, whatever we may call him, this scripture calls a roaring lion, and a ranging bear. Verse 16 . Oppressors want understanding; they do not consult their own honour, ease, and safety. Verse 17 . The murderer shall be haunted with terrors. None shall desire to save him from deserved punishment, nor pity him. Verse 18 . Uprightness will give men holy security in the worst times; but the false and dishonest are never safe. Verse 19 . Those who are diligent, take the way to live comfortably. Verse 20 . The true way to be happy, is to be holy and honest; not to raise an estate suddenly, without regard to right or wrong. Verse 21 . Judgment is perverted, when any thing but pure right is considered. Verse 22 . He that hastens to be rich, never seriously thinks how quickly God may take his wealth from him, and leave him in poverty. Verse 23 . Upon reflection, most will have a better opinion of a faithful reprover than of a soothing flatterer. Verse 24 . Here is the wickedness of those who think it no sin to rob their parents, by wheedling them or threatening them, or by wasting what they have, and running into debt. Verse 25 . Those make themselves always easy, that live in continual dependence upon God and his grace, and live by faith. Verse 26 . A fool trusts to his own strength, merit, and righteousness. And trusts to his own heart, which is not only deceitful above all things, but which has often deceived him. Verse 27 . A selfish man not only will not look out for objects of compassion, but will look off from those that call for his attention. Verse 28 . When power is put into the hands of the wicked, wise men decline public business. If the reader will go diligently over this and the other chapters, in many places where at first he may suppose there is least of Christ, still he will find what will lead to him.

Footnotes

• [a]. Gr. quench.
• [b]. Gr. in everything.
• [c]. Or, abhorred his prayer.
• [d]. Gr. all things.
• [e]. Gr. plural.
• [f]. Mark 7. 11.
• [g]. Gr. groan.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 15

In this chapter we have a short history of the reign of Abijam, 1Ki 15:1-8 and of Asa, 1Ki 14:9-24, both kings of Judah; and of the reigns of Nadab the son of Jeroboam, and of Baasha, who destroyed his family, both kings of Israel, 1Ki 15:25-34.