Proverbs 28

1 The wicked man fleeth, when no man pursueth: but the just, bold as a lion, shall be without dread.

2 For the sins of the land many are the princes thereof: and for the wisdom of a man, and the knowledge of those things that are said, the life of the prince shall be prolonged.

3 A poor man that oppresseth the poor, is like a violent shower, which bringeth a famine.

4 They that forsake the law, praise the wicked man: they that keep it, are incensed against him.

5 Evil men think not on judgment: but they that seek after the Lord, take notice of all things.

6 Better is the poor man walking in his simplicity, than the rich in crooked ways.

7 He that keepeth the law, is a wise son: but he that feedeth gluttons, shameth his father.

8 He that heapeth together riches by usury and loan, gathereth them for him that will be bountiful to the poor.

9 He that turneth away his ears from hearing the law, his prayer shall be an abomination.

10 He that deceiveth the just in a wicked way, shall fall in his own destruction: and the upright shall possess his goods.

11 The rich man seemeth to himself wise: but the poor man that is prudent shall search him out.

12 In the joy of the just there is great glory: when the wicked reign, men are ruined.

13 He that hideth his sins, shall not prosper: but he that shall confess, and forsake them, shall obtain mercy.

14 Blessed is the man that is always fearful: but he that is hardened in mind shall fall into evil.

15 As a roaring lion, and a hungry bear, so is a wicked prince over the poor people.

16 A prince void of prudence shall oppress many by calumny: but he that hateth covetousness, shall prolong his days.

17 A man that doth violence to the blood of a person, if he flee even to the pit, no man will stay him.

18 He that walketh uprightly, shall be saved: he that is perverse in his ways, shall fall at once.

19 He that tilleth his ground, shall be filled with bread: but he that followeth idleness, shall be filled with poverty.

20 A faithful man shall be much praised: but he that maketh haste to be rich, shall not be innocent.

21 He that hath respect to a person in judgment, doth not well: such a man even for a morsel of bread forsaketh the truth.

22 A man that maketh haste to be rich, and envieth others, is ignorant that poverty shall come upon him.

23 He that rebuketh a man, shall afterward find favour with him, more than he that by a flattering tongue deceiveth him.

24 He that stealeth any thing from his father, or from his mother: and saith, This is no sin, is the partner of a murderer.

25

26 He that boasteth and puffeth up himself, stirreth up quarrels: but he that trusteth in the Lord, shall be healed. He that trusteth in his own heart, is a fool: but he that walketh wisely, he shall be saved.

27 He that giveth to the poor shall not want: he that despiseth his intreaty, shall suffer indigence.

28 When the wicked rise up, men shall hide themselves: when they perish, the just 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.

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.