Proverbs 17:2 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 17:2

Note, 1. True merit does not go by dignity. All agree that the son in the family is more worthy than the servant (John 8:35), and yet sometimes it so happens that the servant is wise, and a blessing and credit to the family, when the son is a fool, and a burden and shame to the family. Eliezer of Damascus, though Abram could not bear to think that he should be his heir, was a stay to the family, when he obtained a wife for Isaac; whereas Ishmael, a son, was a shame to it, when he mocked Isaac.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 17:2

A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame ,.... That does wicked and shameful actions: that is slothful, and will not attend to instruction or business; that is prodigal, wasteful, and luxurious, and causes shame to his parents, who blush at his conduct. Now a servant that behaves well and wisely in a family is observed and respected by his master, and he puts his wicked and extravagant son under him, makes him a tutor to him, and sets him to watch over him, and obliges... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 17:1-9

Traits of outward dad inward happiness. Happiness depends more on the inward state than on the outward condition Hence— I. CONTENTMENT AS AN ELEMENT OF HAPPINESS . ( Proverbs 17:1 .) The dry morsel, with rest and quiet in the spirit, is better, says the preacher, than the most luxurious meal; the allusion being to slaughtered sacrificial animals as the chief constituents of a rich repast ( Proverbs 9:2 ; Genesis 43:16 ). It suggests the picture of "holy love, found... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 17:2

A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame. Here is intimated the supremacy of wisdom over folly and vice. The contrast is better emphasized by translating, A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that doeth shamefully ; i.e. a son of his master. (For similar contrast between "wise" and "shameful," comp. Proverbs 10:5 ; Proverbs 14:35 .) Slaves were often raised to high honour, and might inherit their master's possessions. Thus Abraham's servant,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 17:2

Proverbs 17:2. A wise servant shall have rule, &c. “Probity and prudence are so much better than mere riches and noble birth, that a wise and faithful servant sometimes arrives at the honour of being appointed the governor of a son, whose folly and wickedness make him a discredit to his family;” and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren “His merits, perhaps, are rewarded with a portion of the estate, which is to be distributed among them.” read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 17:1-28

Friends and fools (17:1-28)A peaceful family life, no matter how simple, is a great blessing, but a son may miss out on his family inheritance through his own folly (17:1-2). God’s dealings with his people are always for a good purpose, to make them better than they were before (3). To listen to evil talk is as bad as to speak evil oneself; to take pleasure in another’s troubles is as bad as to cause those troubles (4-5).Other proverbs concern the appreciation that the old and the young should... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 17:2

"A servant that dealeth wisely shall rule over a son that causeth shame, And shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.""A wise servant shall rule over a disgraceful son, and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers."[3] "A slave who deals wisely will rule over a child that acts shamefully, and will share the inheritance as one of the family."[4] Eliezer the servant of Abraham was just such a servant (Genesis 15:2-3) as that which is spoken of here. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 17:2

Proverbs 17:2. A wise servant— In all troubled and disagreeing families, there is commonly some servant, or gentle friend, who, being powerful with both sides, may moderate and compose the differences which are among them; to whom, in that respect, the whole house, and the master himself, are much engaged and beholden: this servant, if he aim only at his own ends, cherishes and aggravates the divisions of the family; but if he be sincerely faithful and upright, certainly he deserveth much; so... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown