Proverbs 17:9

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 17:9

Note, 1. The way to preserve peace among relations and neighbours is to make the best of every thing, not to tell others what has been said or done against them when it is not at all necessary to their safety, nor to take notice of what has been said or done against them when it is not at all necessary to their safety, nor to take notice of what has been said or done against ourselves, but to excuse both, and put the best construction upon them. ?It was an oversight; therefore overlook it. It... read more

John Gill

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

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love ,.... He that hides the transgression of another, or of his friend, committed against himself or against another, which he is privy to; but the matter being made up, and the offence forgiven, he forgets it, and no more speaks of it to his friend, or upbraids him with it, nor spreads it among others: such a man shows that he loves his friend, and is desirous that love and friendship should be continued; and this is the way to continue it; and a... 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 17:6-25

Fatherhood and sonship Certainly, some of our very greatest mercies are those that come to us in our domestic relationships. I. THE JOY AND CROWN OF FATHERHOOD AND OF GRANDFATHERHOOD . Our Lord speaks of the mother forgetting her anguish "for joy that a man is born into the world" ( John 16:21 ). The joy of parentage is keen , and it is common; it may, indeed, be said to be universal. And it is pure and good; it elevates and enlarges the soul, taking thought... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 17:9

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love ; i.e. strives to exercise, put in practice, love (comp. Zephaniah 2:8 ; 1 Corinthians 14:4 ). Thus Nowack. One who bears patiently and silently, extenuates and conceals, something done or said against him, that man follows after charity, obeys the great law of love (comp. Proverbs 10:12 ). Some explain the clause to mean, "procures love for himself;" but the second member certainly is not personal, therefore it is more natural to take... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 17:9

(with Proverbs 16:28 ) Friendship; the silence that saves and the speech that separates it We may learn— I. THE GOODLINESS OF FRIENDSHIP . "Very friends," or "chief friends," points to intimate friendship. This is one of the very fairest and worthiest things under the sun. The man to whom God gives a lifelong faithful friendship is rich in a treasure which wealth cannot buy and the excellency of which it does not equal. It should be: 1 . Founded on common attachment ... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 17:9

Proverbs 17:9. He that covereth a transgression That passes by and buries in oblivion a transgression that hath been committed against himself; or that concealeth, as far as he may, other men’s faults against their friends or neighbours; seeketh love Takes the best course to preserve friendships and to make himself universally beloved; but he that repeateth a matter Who rakes up that fault again, and objects it afresh when it was forgotten; or that publishes and spreads it abroad; ... 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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 17:9

transgression. Hebrew. pasha'. App-44 . very friends = true friends. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 17:9

"He that covereth a transgression seeks love; But he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends."It is the glory of a righteous person not to judge and criticize others; and it is always a mark of forbearance and kindness to ignore sins and mistakes that appear in the lives of others, especially, in this context, those of a close friend or associate. "He that harpeth on a matter" refers to the mention over and over again of a close friend's alleged error. Such action is extremely... read more

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