Proverbs 17

1 Better [is] a dry morsel, and rest with it, Than a house full of the sacrifices of strife.

2 A wise servant ruleth over a son causing shame, And in the midst of brethren He apportioneth an inheritance.

3 A refining pot [is] for silver, and a furnace for gold, And the trier of hearts [is] Jehovah.

4 An evil doer is attentive to lips of vanity, Falsehood is giving ear to a mischievous tongue.

5 Whoso is mocking at the poor Hath reproached his Maker, Whoso is rejoicing at calamity is not acquitted.

6 Sons' sons [are] the crown of old men, And the glory of sons [are] their fathers.

7 Not comely for a fool is a lip of excellency, Much less for a noble a lip of falsehood.

8 A stone of grace [is] the bribe in the eyes of its possessors, Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

9 Whoso is covering transgression is seeking love, And whoso is repeating a matter Is separating a familiar friend.

10 Rebuke cometh down on the intelligent More than a hundred stripes on a fool.

11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion, And a fierce messenger is sent against him.

12 The meeting of a bereaved bear by a man, And -- not a fool in his folly.

13 Whoso is returning evil for good, Evil moveth not from his house.

14 The beginning of contention [is] a letting out of waters, And before it is meddled with leave the strife.

15 Whoso is justifying the wicked, And condemning the righteous, Even both of these [are] an abomination to Jehovah.

16 Why [is] this -- a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, And a heart there is none?

17 At all times is the friend loving, And a brother for adversity is born.

18 A man lacking heart is striking hands, A surety he becometh before his friend.

19 Whoso is loving transgression is loving debate, Whoso is making high his entrance is seeking destruction.

20 The perverse of heart findeth not good, And the turned in his tongue falleth into evil.

21 Whoso is begetting a fool hath affliction for it, Yea, the father of a fool rejoiceth not.

22 A rejoicing heart doth good to the body, And a smitten spirit drieth the bone.

23 A bribe from the bosom the wicked taketh, To turn aside the paths of judgment.

24 The face of the intelligent [is] to wisdom, And the eyes of a fool -- at the end of the earth.

25 A provocation to his father [is] a foolish son, And bitterness to her that bare him.

26 Also, to fine the righteous is not good, To smite nobles for uprightness.

27 One acquainted with knowledge is sparing his words, And the cool of temper [is] a man of understanding.

28 Even a fool keeping silence is reckoned wise, He who is shutting his lips intelligent!

Proverbs 17 Commentary

Chapter 17

Verse 1 These words recommend family love and peace, as needful for the comfort of human life. Verse 2 . The wise servant is more deserving, and more likely to appear one of the family, than a profligate son. Verse 3 . God tries the heart by affliction. He thus has often shown the sin remaining in the heart of the believer. Verse 4 . Flatterers, especially false teachers, are welcome to those that live in sin. Verse 5 . Those that laugh at poverty, treat God's providence and precepts with contempt. Verse 6 . It is an honour to children to have wise and godly parents continued to them, even after they are grown up and settled in the world. Verse 7 . A fool, in Solomon's Proverbs, signifies a wicked man, whom excellent speech does not become, because his conversation contradicts it. Verse 8 . Those who set their hearts upon money, will do any thing for it. What influence should the gifts of God have on our hearts! Verse 9 . The way to preserve peace is to make the best of every thing; not to notice what has been said or done against ourselves. Verse 10 . A gentle reproof will enter, not only into the head, but into the heart of a wise man. Verse 11 . Satan, and the messengers of Satan, shall be let loose upon an evil man. Verse 12 . Let us watch over our own passions, and avoid the company of furious men. Verse 13 . To render evil for good is devilish. He that does so, brings a curse upon his family. Verse 14 . What danger there is in the beginning of strife! Resist its earliest display; and leave it off, if it were possible, before you begin. Verse 15 . It is an offence to God to acquit the guilty, or to condemn those who are not guilty. Verse 16 . Man's neglect of God's favour and his own interest is very absurd. Verse 17 . No change of outward circumstances should abate our affection for our friends or relatives. But no friend, except Christ, deserves unlimited confidence. In Him this text did receive, and still receives its most glorious fulfilment. Verse 18 . Let not any wrong their families. Yet Christ's becoming Surety for men, was a glorious display of Divine wisdom; for he was able to discharge the bond. Verse 19 . If we would keep a clear conscience and a quiet mind, we must shun all excitements to anger. And a man who affects a style of living above his means, goes the way to ruin. Verse 20 . There is nothing got by ill designs. And many have paid dear for an unbridled tongue. Verse 21 . This speaks very plainly what many wise and good men feel very strongly, how grievous it is to have a foolish, wicked child. Verse 22 . It is great mercy that God gives us leave to be cheerful, and cause to be cheerful, if by his grace he gives us hearts to be cheerful. Verse 23 . The wicked are ready to part with their money, though loved, that they may not suffer for their crimes. Verse 24 . The prudent man keeps the word of God continually in view. But the foolish man cannot fix his thoughts, nor pursue any purpose with steadiness. Verse 25 . Wicked children despise the authority of their father, and the tenderness of their mother. Verse 26 . It is very wrong to find fault ( proverbs 17:27-28 ) wise man, by the good temper of his mind, and by the good government of his tongue. He is careful when he does speak, to speak to the purpose. God knows his heart, and the folly that is bound there; therefore he cannot be deceived in his judgment as men may be.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 7

This chapter gives an account of some buildings of Solomon for himself, 1Ki 7:1-12; and of other things for the use of the temple; of two pillars of brass, 1Ki 7:13-22; of the molten sea, 1Ki 7:23-26; and of ten bases, and ten layers on them, 1Ki 7:27-39; with other utensils and ornaments, 1Ki 7:40-51.