Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 17:17
17. A friend… brother The critics differ as to the sense of the latter part of this verse. One interpretation is: A brother, according to the ties and interests of consanguinity, is born to support and comfort a brother in distress, (so Clarke, Stuart, Conant, etc.;) that is, in distress a blood relation is in general more to be relied upon than any other friend. Another interpretation is: A true friend (the same as mentioned in a preceding clause) is as a born brother in adversity; that... read more
Wesley's Explanatory Notes - Proverbs 17:17
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.Was born — Was sent into the world for this, that he might comfort and relieve his brother in adversity. read more