Mishle 28

1 8 The rasha flee when none pursueth; but the tzaddikim are bold as a lion.

2 For the peysha eretz (land in rebellion) many are the sarim (rulers) thereof, but by an adam meiven yodei’a (a man of wisdom and knowledge) shall be lasting order.

3 A gever rahsh (poor man) that oppresseth the dalim (poor ones) is like a sweeping matar (rain) which leaveth no lechem (food, crop).

4 They that forsake the torah praise the rasha, but such as be shomer over the torah contend against them.

5 Anshei rah understand not mishpat, but they that seek Hashem understand all things.

6 Better is the rahsh (poor) that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his drakhim (ways), though he be rich.

7 He who keepeth torah is a ben meiven, but he that is a companion of zolelim (gluttons) shameth aviv.

8 He that by neshekh (interest) and increase increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the dalim (poor ones).

9 He that turneth away his ozen from mishmo’a torah (heeding torah), even his tefillah (prayer) shall be to’evah (abomination).

10 He who causeth the yesharim (upright ones) to go astray in a derech rah, he shall fall himself into his own trap, but the blameless ones shall inherit tov.

11 The ish oisher is chacham in his own eyes, but the dal meiven (poor man with understanding) searcheth him out.

12 When tzaddikim do triumph, there is rabbah tiferet (great glory), but when the resha’im rise, the people go into hiding.

13 He that covereth his peysha’im (sins) shall not prosper, but he who confesseth and forsaketh them shall find mercy.

14 Ashrei adam that is reverent always, but he that hardeneth his lev shall fall into ra’ah.

15 As a roaring ari, and a charging dov (bear), so is a wicked moshel (ruler) over the am dal (poor people).

16 The nagid (ruler) lacking tevunot (understanding) is also a great oppressor, but he that hateth betza (ill-gotten gain) shall prolong his yamim (days).

17 If an adam is burdened with dahm (blood, murder) of any nefesh, let him be a fugitive ad bor (till the pit, death); let no ish help him.

18 He who walketh tamim (blamelessly) shall be saved, but he that is perverse in his drakhim shall fall suddenly.

19 He that tilleth his adamah shall have plenty of lechem, but he that chaseth after empty things shall have poverty enough.

20 An ish emunot (faithful man, loyal man) shall abound with birkhot, but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not go unpunished.

21 To show partiality is not tov; for a piece of lechem that gever will transgress.

22 He that hasteth to be rich hath a rah ayin, and considereth not that want shall come upon him.

23 He that rebuketh an adam afterwards shall find more chen (favor) than he that flattereth with the lashon.

24 He who robbeth aviv or immo, and saith, It is no peysha (transgression), the same is the chaver (fellow, companion) of an ish mashchit (man of destruction).

25 The covetous stirreth up strife, but he that putteth his trust in Hashem shall be prospered.

26 He that trusteth in his own lev is a kesil (fool), but he who walketh in chochmah, he shall be delivered.

27 He that giveth unto the rahsh (poor) shall not lack, but he that hideth his eynayim meeteth many curses.

28 When the resha’im rise, adam hide themselves, but when they perish, the tzaddikim increase.

Mishle 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.