Better [is] a dry morsel, and quietness
therewith
A small quantity of bread; a broken piece of bread, as the word
F23 signifies; which has been long
broken off, and become "dry" F24; a dry crust of bread; old
bread, as the Arabic version; an old, mouldy, dry piece of bread:
and the word used has the signification of destruction in it:
bread that has lost its taste and virtue; or, however, a mere
piece of bread is meant, without anything to eat with it, as
Gersom, butter, cheese, or flesh: this, with quietness and peace
among those that partake of it, peace in the family, in a man's
own mind, especially if he has the peace of God, which passeth
all understanding; this is better than a house full of
sacrifices [with] strife;
than a house ever so well furnished with good cheer, or a table
ever so richly spread; or where there is plenty of slain beasts
for food, or for sacrifice, which were usually the best, and part
of which the people had to eat, and at which times feasts used to
be made; but the meanest food, with tranquillity and contentment,
is preferable to the richest entertainment where there is nothing
but strife and contention among the guests; for, where that is,
there is confusion and every evil work: peace and joy in the Holy
Ghost are better than meats and drinks. Mr. Dod used to say,
``brown bread and the Gospel are good fare;''see ( Proverbs 15:17 ) .