Proverbs 13
Verse 2 Shall eat - Shall receive comfort, and benefit by his wise and profitable discourses. Verse 6 Keepeth him - From that over - throw which befal sinners. Verse 7 Maketh rich - Some men who have little or nothing, pretend to have great riches. Maketh rich - Some rich men profess to be poor. Verse 8 Riches - Riches enable a man to redeem his life when it is in greatest danger, and poverty preserves a man from many injuries. Because they are cautious, that they may not provoke others; and because they are esteemed objects of pity. Verse 9 The light - The prosperity. Rejoiceth - Shines with a pleasant and constant brightness. Rejoicing is here ascribed to the light, as it is to the sun, Psal 19:5, metaphorically. Put out - Their felicity shall have a hidden end. Verse 10 Pride - It is chiefly, pride which blows up the coals of contention. Well - advised - Who are not governed by their passions, but by prudent considerations. Wisdom - Which teaches them to avoid contention. Verse 11 Vanity - By wicked practices. Verse 12 Hope deferred - Delays in obtaining what a man passionately desires. The desire - The good desired. A tree of life - It is satisfactory, and reviving. Verse 13 The word - The word of God. Verse 14 The law - The instruction, or counsel; as the word law, is frequently understood in scripture. Verse 15 Giveth - Makes a man acceptable to God. Rough - Offensive and hateful to God and men, as rough ways are to a traveller. Verse 16 Knowledge - Considerately and discreetly. Layeth open - By his foolish actions. Verse 17 A messenger - Who is unfaithful in the execution of that which is committed to his charge. Is health - Procures benefit, as to his master, so to himself. Verse 19 Sweet - Whatsoever men earnestly desire, the enjoyment of it is sweet to them; therefore sinners rejoice in the satisfaction of their sinful lusts, and abhor all restraint of them. Verse 21 Evil - Punishment proportionable to their sin. Verse 23 The poor - Poor persons by their diligent labours, and God's blessing often grow rich. Destroyed - Or, consumed, brought to poverty, for want of discretion. Verse 24 Hateth his son - His fond affection, is as pernicious to him as hatred.