Proverbs 28

1 The wicked flee when no one is pursuing [them], but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

2 When a land is in rebellion, it has many rulers, but with a discerning and knowledgeable person, it endures.

3 A destitute leader^[a] who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no food.

4 Those who reject the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law battle against them.

5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand everything.^[b]

6 Better a poor man who lives with integrity^[c] than a rich man who distorts right and wrong.^{[d] [e]}

7 A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons humiliates his father.^[f]

8 Whoever increases his wealth through excessive interest collects it for one who is kind to the poor.^[g]

9 Anyone who turns his ear away from hearing the law- even his prayer is detestable.^[h]

10 The one who leads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit,^[i] but the blameless will inherit what is good.

11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has discernment sees through him.

12 When the righteous triumph, there is great rejoicing,^[j] but when the wicked come to power, people hide themselves.^[k]

13 The one who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.^[l]

14 Happy is the one who is always reverent,^[m] but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.

15 A wicked ruler over a helpless people is like a roaring lion or a charging bear.

16 A leader who lacks understanding is very oppressive, but one who hates unjust gain prolongs his life.^[n]

17 A man burdened by bloodguilt^[o] will be a fugitive until death. Let no one help him.

18 The one who lives with integrity will be helped, but one who distorts right and wrong^[p] will suddenly fall.^[q]

19 The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.^[r]

20 A faithful man will have many blessings, but one in a hurry to get rich will not go unpunished.^[s]

21 It is not good to show partiality^[t]- yet a man may sin for a piece of bread.

22 A greedy man^[u] is in a hurry for wealth; he doesn't know that poverty will come to him.^[v]

23 One who rebukes a person will later find more favor than one who flatters^[w] with his tongue.^[x]

24 The one who robs his father or mother and says, "That's no sin," is a companion to a man who destroys.

25 A greedy person provokes conflict, but whoever trusts in the Lord will prosper.^[y]

26 The one who trusts in himself^[z] is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.^[aa]

27 The one who gives to the poor will not be in need, but one who turns his eyes away^[ab] will receive many curses.^[ac]

28 When the wicked come to power, people hide, but when they are destroyed, the righteous flourish.^[ad]

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]. LXX reads A wicked man
• [b]. 1 Co 2:15
• [c]. Pr 19:1; 20:7
• [d]. Lit who twists two ways
• [e]. Pr 16:8,19; 19:22; Isa 5:20
• [f]. Pr 17:25; 29:3; Dt 21:20
• [g]. Pr 13:22; Ec 2:26; Ezk 18:13,17
• [h]. Pr 15:8,29; 21:27
• [i]. Pr 16:29; 26:27; Mt 18:6
• [j]. Lit glory
• [k]. Pr 28:28; 29:2
• [l]. Pr 10:6,11; 26:26; Ps 32:3-5
• [m]. 2 Ch 19:7
• [n]. Pr 15:27; 1 Kg 12:1-19; Ps 15:5
• [o]. Lit the blood of a person
• [p]. Lit who is twisted regarding two ways
• [q]. Pr 2:7; 10:9; 20:7
• [r]. Pr 1:31; 12:11,14; 14:14
• [s]. Pr 19:2
• [t]. Pr 24:23
• [u]. Lit A man with an evil eye
• [v]. Pr 13:11; 20:21; 21:5
• [w]. Lit is smooth
• [x]. Pr 26:28; 27:6; 29:5
• [y]. Pr 3:5-6; Ps 37:3-5; Jr 17:7-8
• [z]. Lit his heart
• [aa]. Pr 3:5-7
• [ab]. Lit who shuts his eyes
• [ac]. Pr 11:24; 22:16
• [ad]. Pr 28:12; 29:2

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.