Commentary on Proverbs 24

(Pro. 24:1-34)

(Compare Pro 23:3, Pro 23:17; Psa 37:1).

studieth--meditateth.

talk . . . mischief--Their expressed purposes are to do evil.

(Compare Pro 14:1; Isa 54:14).

house--including the family.

by knowledge . . . riches-- (Pro 8:18; Pro 21:20).

The general statement (Ecc 9:16, Ecc 9:18) is specially illustrated (compare Pro 21:22; Psa 144:1).

(Compare Pro 14:16).

in the gate--(Compare Pro 22:22).

So called even if he fails to do evil.

Same thought varied.

Literally, "If thou fail in the day of straits (adversity), strait (or, small) is thy strength," which is then truly tested.

Neglect of known duty is sin (Jam 4:17).

ready--literally, "bowing down"

to be slain--that is, unjustly. God's retributive justice cannot be avoided by professed ignorance.

As delicious food whets the appetite, so should the rewards of wisdom excite us to seek it.

reward--literally, "after part," the proper result (compare Pro 23:18; Psa 37:37-38).

The plots of the wicked against the good, though partially, shall not be fully successful (Psa 37:24); while the wicked, falling under penal evil, find no help.

seven times--often, or many (Pro 6:16, Pro 6:31; Pro 9:1).

Yet let none rejoice over the fate of evildoers, lest God punish their wrong spirit by relieving the sufferer (compare Pro 17:5; Job 31:29).

(Psa 37:1, Psa 37:38; Psa 18:28).

candle--or, "prosperity"; it shall come to an end (Pro 13:9; Pro 20:20).

A warning against impiety and resistance to lawful rule (Rom 13:1-7; Pe1 2:17).

meddle . . . change--(Compare Margin), literally, "mingle not yourself," avoid the society of restless persons.

their calamity, &c.--either what God and the king inflict, or what changers and their company suffer; better the first.

These . . . wise--literally, "are of the wise," as authors (compare "Psalms of David," Hebrew). "These" refers to the verses following, Pro 24:24-34.

to have respect--literally, "to discern faces," show partiality,

of which an example is justifying the wicked, to which is opposed, rebuking him, which has a blessing.

kiss his lips--love and obey, do homage (Psa 2:12; Sol 8:1).

right answer--literally, "plain words" (compare Pro 8:9), opposed to deceptive, or obscure.

Prepare . . . in the field--Secure, by diligence, a proper support, and then build; provide necessaries, then comforts, to which a house rather pertained, in a mild climate, permitting the use of tents.

Do not speak even truth needlessly against any, and never falsehood.

Especially avoid retaliation (Mat 5:43-45; Rom 12:17).

A striking picture of the effects of sloth.

From the folly of the sluggard learn wisdom (Pro 6:10-11).

Next: Proverbs Chapter 25