This humorous picture is of a person so lazy that he cannot even lift his food from his plate to his mouth (cf. Proverbs 26:15). The point is that a lazy person will bear the consequences of his own laziness. This warning is applicable to those who are too lazy to finish the projects they begin. [Note: Whybray, The Book . . ., p. 111.] read more
1. Fool] read, ’rich’ (Proverbs 28:6). 2. Read, ’Also, desire without knowledge,’ etc. Desires must be controlled by knowledge. The hasty in action will miss his mark. ’While the discreet advise, the fool doth his business.’3. Perverteth] RV ’subverteth.’ It is his own fault, yet he blames God for it. 6. Great nobles and great donors are always sought after.10. Delight] RV ’delicate living.’ He cannot appreciate refinement. Slaves have often risen to great power in the East: the danger is that... read more
(24) A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom.—Better, in the dish that stood in the middle of the table at an Oriental dinner, into which the guests dipped their hands to take out the food for themselves (Matthew 26:23). read more
CHAPTER 20HUMAN FREEDOM"The foolishness of man subverteth his way; And his heart fretteth against the Lord."- Proverbs 19:3THERE is such a valuable expansion and commentary on this proverb in the book of Ecclesiasticus that it seems worthwhile to quote it in full: "Say not, it is through the Lord that I fell away, for the things He hates thou shalt not do. Say not, it is He that caused me to err, for He has no use for a sinful man. Every abomination the Lord hates, neither is it lovely to those... read more
CHAPTER 19:1-19 Further Proverbs on Personal Instruction One may be poor, but walking in integrity, he is far ahead of him who is perverse in his lips and is a fool. Then we find proverbs about fretting against the Lord; warning against false witness and speaking lies and other matters. We call special attention to Proverbs 19:12 . The King’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion. But his favour is as dew upon the grass. It may be applied to Him who is The Lamb of God and also the Lion of the... read more
III. INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN TO SOLOMON CHAPTER 19:20-29 Beginning with the twentieth verse of chapter 19 the personal address begins again and we read repeatedly the phrase “My son” up to the twenty-fifth chapter. This section corresponds therefore with the first nine chapters, containing the instructions which Solomon received from the Lord and which he records in these chapters. Once more there is the call, like in the opening chapters, to hear, to give attention. “Hear counsel, and receive... read more
In these chapters we have a series of exhortations to a life of godliness expressed in general terms about as follows: 1. Confidence in God as a wise ruler (chap. 16) 2. A disposition of peacefulness and contentment (chap. 17) 3. The virtues of affability, fidelity, and others of a social nature (chap. 18) 4. Humility and meekness (chap. 19) 5. Sobriety, diligence and kindness (chap. 21) 6. Justice, patience, submission (chap. 21) 7. The attainment and preservation of a good name (chap. 22) 8.... read more
Man's Chief Business, Etc. Proverbs 19:0 It might be supposed that by the term "wisdom" some form of intellectual life and energy was signified; then the passage would read, He that is of capacious and brilliant mind, equal to the handling of any difficult mental question, is one who loveth his own soul. That, however, is not the meaning of the word "wisdom." In this connection we are to understand by "wisdom" the heart or the moral nature, and then the passage will read, He that keepeth his... read more
A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD. Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die. He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. Chasten thy son while there is... read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 19:24
24. bosom—literally, a wide dish in which the hand was plunged in eating ( :-). Compare Proverbs 26:15, the sentiment expressed with equal irony and less exaggeration. read more