Proverbs 24
Verse 2 Destruction - How they may oppress and destroy others. Verse 3 Through wisdom - There is no need that thou shouldest raise thy family by ruining others, which thou mayest more effectually do by wisdom. Verse 4 By knowledge - Which in scripture phrase includes the love and practice of what we know. Verse 5 Is strong - Is courageous and resolute, and able by wisdom to do greater things than others can accomplish by strength. Verse 6 Thy war - War is better managed by wisdom than by strength. Verse 7 A fool - For a wicked man, whose sins enfeeble his mind, and make it incapable of wisdom. Openeth not - He knows not how to speak acceptably, and profitably in the publick assembly. Verse 8 Shall be called - Though he cover his wicked devices with fair pretences, he shall be branded with that infamy which is due to him. Verse 9 The thought - The very inward thought or contrivance of evil, is a sin in God's sight. Verse 11 Deliver - When it is in thy power. Drawn - By the violence of lawless men. Verse 12 Consider - That this is only a frivolous excuse. Verse 13 Eat - This is not a command, but a concession, and is only here expressed to illustrate the following verse. Honey in those parts was an usual food. Verse 14 A reward - It is not only sweet for the present, but brings a sure and everlasting reward. Verse 16 Falleth - Into calamities, of which he evidently speaks both in the foregoing verse, and in the following branch of this verse. Fall - Frequently into irrecoverable destruction. Verse 17 Falleth - Into mischief. Verse 18 From him - Understand, upon thee, which is implied in the Hebrew phrase. Verse 20 No reward - All his happiness shall quickly and eternally perish. The candle - All their comfort and glory shall cease. Verse 21 To change - That are unstable in their obedience to God or to the king. Verse 22 Who knoweth - Who can conceive how sore and sudden will be the ruin of them that fear not God, and the king. Verse 23 These - The counsels following, to the end of the chapter, no less than those hitherto mentioned, are worthy of their consideration. Verse 25 Rebuke - That publickly and judicially rebuke and condemn the wicked. Delight - The peace of a good conscience. Verse 26 Shall kiss - Shall respect him. A right answer - That speaks pertinently and plainly, and truly. Verse 32 Received - I learned wisdom by his folly.