Proverbs 27:7-14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:10

Thine own friend, and thy father's friend forsake not ,.... Who have been long tried and proved, and found faithful; these should be kept to and valued, and not new ones sought; which to do is oftentimes of bad consequence. Solomon valued his father's friend Hiram, and kept up friendship with him; but Rehoboam his son forsook the counsel of the old men his father's friends and counsellors, and followed the young mien his new friends, and thereby lost ten tribes at once. Jarchi interprets... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:11

My son, be wise, and make my heart glad ,.... That is, show thyself to be a wise man by thy words and actions; endeavour to get a good share of wisdom and knowledge, and make a good use of it, and that will rejoice my heart; as nothing more gladdens the heart of a parent than the wisdom and prudent behaviour of his son; see Proverbs 10:1 ; that I may answer him that reproacheth me ; with begetting a foolish son, or a wicked man; or making him such by ill examples; or through neglect of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:12

A prudent man foreseeth the evil ,.... See Gill on Proverbs 22:3 ; or "seeth the evil" F6 ראה "videns", V. L. Tigurine version, Piscator; "vidit", Pagninus, Montanus; "videt", Mercerus, Cocceius, Gejerus, Schultens. ; the evil of sin, as it is contrary to the nature, will, and law and abominable in his sight; and not only the evil of gross actions of sin, but of indwelling lust; and such an one, who is wise to that which is good, sees the sad work sin has made in the world, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:13

Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman. See Gill on Proverbs 20:16 , where the same proverb is, and is expressed in the same words as here. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:14

He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice ,.... So as not only to be heard by him, but by others; who is extravagant in his praises and commendations of him; who exceeds all bounds of modesty, truth, and decency; who affects pompous words, and hyperbolical expressions; and shows himself to be a real sycophant and flatterer, having some sinister end to serve by it; rising early in the morning ; lest any should be before him, and get the benefit he seeks by his flattery; or as if he... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 27:8

Is a bird that wandereth from her nest - Leaving her own brood, places of retreat, and feeding-ground behind, and going into strange countries, where she is exposed to every kind of danger. So is the man who leaves his family connections and country, and goes into strange parts to find employment, better his circumstances, make a fortune, etc. I have seen multitudes of such wanderers from their place come to great misery and wretchedness. God's general advice is, "Do good, and dwell in the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 27:9

Ointment and perfume - Anointing the head and various parts of the body with aromatic oil is frequent in the East, and fumigating the beards of the guests at the conclusion of an entertainment is almost universal; as is also sprinkling rose-water, and water highly ordoriferous. Two of the curious vessels which are used for this purpose are now before me; they hold some quarts each, and are beautifully inlaid with silver in the form of sprigs, leaves, etc. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 27:10

Thine own friend - A well and long tried friend is invaluable. Him that has been a friend to thy family never forget, and never neglect. And, in the time of adversity, rather apply to such a one, than go to thy nearest relative, who keeps himself at a distance. read more

Adam Clarke