Proverbs 20:2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:2

See here, 1. How formidable kings are, and what a terror they strike upon those they are angry with. Their fear, with which (especially when they are absolute and their will is a law) they keep their subjects in awe, is as the roaring of a lion, which is very dreadful to the creatures he preys upon, and makes them tremble so that they cannot escape from him. Those princes that rule by wisdom and love rule like God himself, and bear his image; but those that rule merely by terror, and with a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:2

The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion ,.... The wrath and displeasure of a king, which causes fear; see Proverbs 19:12 ; kings should be terrors to evil works and workers, though not to good ones, Romans 13:3 . This is true of the King of kings, who one day will be terrible to the drunkards, the mockers, and murderers of his people, before spoken of; whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul ; he exposes his life to danger: the Targum supplies it as we... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 20:2

The fear of a king - Almost the same with Proverbs 19:12 ; (note), which see. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:1-5

Evils to be avoided I. SOME SPECIAL EVILS AND DANGERS . 1 . Drunkenness . ( Proverbs 20:1 .) The spirit or demon of wine is spoken of as a personal agent. It leads to frivolity, scoffing, profane and senseless mirth. To be drunk with wine, as St. Paul points out ( Ephesians 5:18 ), is the opposite of being "filled with the Spirit" (see F.W. Robertson's sermon on this subject). 2 . The wrath of kings. ( Proverbs 20:2 ) In those times of absolute rule, the king... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:2

The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion (see Proverbs 19:12 ). The terror which a king causes when his anger is rising is like the roar of a lion, which betokens danger. Septuagint, "The threat of a king differeth not from the wrath of a lion." Whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul; imperils his life, which he has no right wilfully to jeopard. ,Septuagint, "He who enrageth him ( ὁ παροξύνων αὐτόν )." The Complutensian and some Greek versions introduce the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 20:2-3

Proverbs 20:2-3. The fear of a king, &c. See on Proverbs 16:14; Proverbs 19:12. It is an honour to a man to cease from strife Either to prevent it, or, if it be begun, to put an end to it: which, although proud and profane persons esteem dishonourable to them, would indeed be their glory, because it would be an evidence of their wisdom and power over their passions, and of their respect and obedience to their sovereign Lord, in which their honour and happiness consist; but every fool... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:1-30

Honesty (20:1-30)Wise people will not become drunkards, will not needlessly anger those in authority, will avoid quarrelling and will work to support themselves (20:1-4). They will also have the ability to draw out the deepest feelings and intentions of those with whom they deal (5). Many people boast of their loyalty but few practise it. To live honestly is the best way to guarantee a good future for one’s children (6-7). A king learns by experience to discern between right and wrong in cases... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 20:2

sinneth = erreth. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 . soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 20:2

"The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: He that provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own life."This is exactly the kind of proverb we should have expected from Solomon. See the comments on Proverbs 16:14-15, p. 190 in my commentary on Proverbs. This proverb is parallel to the thought there. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 20:2

Proverbs 20:2. The fear of a king, &c.— Or, The terror of a king is as the roaring of a young lion: he who rageth against him, sinneth, &c. Houbigant renders it, The threatening of a king. read more

Group of Brands