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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 9:13-18

We have heard what Christ has to say, to engage our affections to God and godliness, and one would think the whole world should go after him; but here we are told how industrious the tempter is to seduce unwary souls into the paths of sin, and with the most he gains his point, and Wisdom's courtship is not effectual. Now observe, I. Who is the tempter?a foolish woman, Folly herself, in opposition to Wisdom. Carnal sensual pleasure I take to be especially meant by this foolish woman (Prov.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 9:17

Stolen waters are sweet ,.... Wells and fountains of waters in those hot countries were very valuable, and were the property of particular persons; about which there were sometimes great strife and contention; and they were sometimes sealed and kept from the use of others; see Genesis 26:18 ; now waters got by stealth from such wells and fountains were sweeter than their own, or what might be had in common and without difficulty, to which the proverb alludes. By which in general is meant,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 9:17

Stolen waters are sweet - I suppose this to be a proverbial mode of expression, importing that illicit pleasures are sweeter than those which are legal The meaning is easy to be discerned; and the conduct of multitudes shows that they are ruled by this adage. On it are built all the adulterous intercourses in the land. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 9:1-18

15. Fifteenth admonitory discourse, containing in a parabolic form an invitation of Wisdom ( Proverbs 9:1-12 ), and that of her rival Folly ( Proverbs 9:13-18 ). The chapter sums up in brief the warnings of the preceding part. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 9:13-18

This section contains the invitation of Folly, the rival of Wisdom, represented under the guise of an adulteress ( Proverbs 2:16 ; Proverbs 5:3 , etc.; Proverbs 6:24 , etc.; 7.). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 9:13-18

The invitation of Folly The picture to be taken in contrast with that at the beginning of the chapter. I. THE TEMPER OF FOLLY . 1 . She is excitable and passionate ( Proverbs 9:13 ), and may be fitly imaged as the harlot, the actress and mask of genuine feeling. 2 . She is irrational, and knows not what is what. True love is not blind, either as to self or its objects. 3 . She is like the harlot again in her shamelessness ( Proverbs 9:14 ). Folly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 9:13-18

The truth about sin Solomon, having told us of the excellency of Wisdom, and of the blessings she has to confer on her children, now bids us consider the consequences of listening to sin, when she, the foolish woman, utters her invitation. We learn— I. THAT SIN IN ITS LATER DEVELOPMENTS IS A VERY ODIOUS THING . What a painful and repulsive picture we have here of the foolish woman, who, though utterly ignorant and unworthy ( Proverbs 9:13 ), assumes a conspicuous... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 9:16-17

These verses contain the invitation which Vice, in imitation of Virtue, and assuming her voice and manner, offers to the wayfarers. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 9:17

This is what she says: Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. The metaphor of "stolen waters" refers primarily to adulterous intercourse, as to "drink waters out of one's own cistern" ( Proverbs 5:15 , where see note) signifies the chaste connection of lawful wedlock. Wisdom offered flesh and wine to her guests; Folly offers bread and water. Wisdom invites openly to a well furnished table; Folly calls to a secret meal of barest victuals. What the former offers is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 9:17

Stolen waters. A fatal fascination, arising out of its very lawlessness, attaches itself to sin. Illicit pleasures are doubly attractive just because they are illicit. Let us consider the secret of these evil charms. I. THE PROVOCATION OF RESTRAINTS . There are many things which we do not care to have so long as they are within our reach, but which are clothed with a sudden attractiveness directly they are shut out from us. If we see a notice, "Trespassers will be prosecuted,"... read more

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