Proverbs 28

1 A wicked person flees when no one is chasing him, but righteous people are as bold as lions.

2 When a country is in revolt, it has many rulers, but only with a person who has understanding and knowledge will it last a long time.

3 A poor person who oppresses poorer people is like a driving rain that leaves no food.

4 Those who abandon [God's] teachings praise wicked people, but those who follow [God's] teachings oppose wicked people.

5 Evil people do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand everything.

6 Better to be a poor person who has integrity than to be rich and double-dealing.

7 Whoever follows [God's] teachings is a wise son. Whoever associates with gluttons disgraces his father.

8 Whoever becomes wealthy through [unfair] loans and interest collects them for the one who is kind to the poor.

9 Surely the prayer of someone who refuses to listen to [God's] teachings is disgusting.

10 Whoever leads decent people into evil will fall into his own pit, but innocent people will inherit good things.

11 A rich person is wise in his own eyes, but a poor person with understanding sees right through him.

12 When righteous people triumph, there is great glory, but when wicked people rise, people hide themselves.

13 Whoever covers over his sins does not prosper. Whoever confesses and abandons them receives compassion.

14 Blessed is the one who is always fearful [of sin], but whoever is hard-hearted falls into disaster.

15 [Like] a roaring lion and a charging bear, [so] a wicked ruler is a threat to poor people.

16 A leader without understanding taxes [his people] heavily, but those who hate unjust gain will live longer.

17 A person burdened with the guilt of murder will be a fugitive down to his grave. No one will help him.

18 Whoever lives honestly will be safe. Whoever lives dishonestly will fall all at once.

19 Whoever works his land will have plenty to eat. Whoever chases unrealistic dreams will have plenty of nothing.

20 A trustworthy person has many blessings, but anyone in a hurry to get rich will not escape punishment.

21 Showing partiality is not good, because some people will turn on you even for a piece of bread.

22 A stingy person is in a hurry to get rich, not realizing that poverty is about to overtake him.

23 Whoever criticizes people will be more highly regarded in the future than the one who flatters with his tongue.

24 The one who robs his father or his mother and says, "It isn't wrong!" is a companion to a vandal.

25 A greedy person stirs up a fight, but whoever trusts the LORD prospers.

26 Whoever trusts his own heart is a fool. Whoever walks in wisdom will survive.

27 Whoever gives to the poor lacks nothing. Whoever ignores the poor receives many curses.

28 When wicked people rise, people hide. When they die, righteous people increase.

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.

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.