Proverbs 24:1-34 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 24:1-2

Here, 1. The caution given is much the same with that which we had before (Prov. 23:17), not to envy sinners, not to think them happy, nor to wish ourselves in their condition, though they prosper ever so much in this world, and are ever so marry and ever so secure. ?Let not such a thought ever come into thy mind, O that I could shake off the restraints of religion and conscience, and take as great a liberty to indulge the sensual appetite, as I see such and such do! No; desire not to be with... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 24:3-6

We are tempted to envy those that grow rich, and raise their estates and families, by such unjust courses as our consciences will by no means suffer us to use. But, to set aside that temptation, Solomon here shows that a man, with prudent management, may raise his estate and family by lawful and honest means, with a good conscience, and a good name, and the blessing of God upon his industry; and, if the other be raised a little sooner, yet these will last a great deal longer. 1. That which is... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 24:7-9

Here is the description, 1. Of a weak man: Wisdom is too high for him; he thinks it so, and therefore, despairing to attain it, he will take no pains in the pursuit of it, but sit down content without it. And really it is so; he has not capacity for it, and therefore the advantages he has for getting it are all in vain to him. It is no easy thing to get wisdom; those that have natural parts good enough, yet if they be foolish, that is, if they be slothful and will not take pains, if they be... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 24:10

Note, 1. In the day of adversity we are apt to faint, to droop and be discouraged, to desist from our work, and to despair of relief. Our spirits sink, and then our hands hang down and our knees grow feeble, and we become unfit for anything. And often those that are most cheerful when they are well droop most, and are most dejected, when any thing ails them. 2. This is an evidence that our strength is small, and is a means of weakening it more. ?It is a sign that thou art not a man of any... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 24:11-12

Here is, 1. A great duty required of us, and that is to appear for the relief of oppressed innocency. If we see the lives or livelihoods of any in danger of being taken away unjustly, we ought to bestir ourselves all we can to save them, by disproving the false accusations on which they are condemned and seeking out proofs of their innocency. Though the persons be not such as we are under any particular obligation to, we must help them, out of a general zeal for justice. If any be set upon by... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 24:13-14

We are here quickened to the study of wisdom by the consideration both of the pleasure and the profit of it. 1. It will be very pleasant. We eat honey because it is sweet to the taste, and upon that account we call it good, especially that which runs first from the honey-comb. Canaan was said to flow with milk and honey, and honey was the common food of the country (Luke 24:41, 42), even for children, Isa. 7:15. Thus should we feed upon wisdom, and relish the good instructions of it. Those... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 24:15-16

This is spoken, not so much by way of counsel to wicked men (they will not receive instruction, Prov. 23:9), but rather in defiance of them, for the encouragement of good people that are threatened by them. See here, 1. The designs of the wicked against the righteous, and the success they promise themselves in those designs. The plot is laid deeply: They lay wait against the dwelling of the righteous, thinking to charge some iniquity upon it, or compass dome design against it; they lie in wait... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 24:17-18

Here, 1. The pleasure we are apt to take in the troubles of an enemy is forbidden us. If any have done us an ill turn, or if we bear them ill-will only because they stand in our light or in our way, when any damage comes to them (suppose they fall), or any danger (suppose they stumble), our corrupt hearts are too apt to conceive a secret delight and satisfaction in it?Aha! so would we have it; they are entangled; the wilderness has shut them in?or, as Tyrus said concerning Jerusalem (Ezek.... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 24:19-20

Here, 1. He repeats the caution he had before given against envying the pleasures and successes of wicked man in their wicked ways. This he quotes from his father David, Ps. 37:1. We must not in any case fret ourselves, or make ourselves uneasy, whatever God does in his providence how disagreeable soever it is to our sentiments, interests, and expectations, we must acquiesce in it. Even that which grieves us must not fret us; nor must our eye be evil against any because God is good. Are we... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 24:21-22

Note, 1. Religion and loyalty must go together. As men, it is our duty to honour our Creator, to worship and reverence him, and to be always in his fear; as members of a community, incorporated for mutual benefit, it is our duty to be faithful and dutiful to the government God has set over us, Rom. 13:1, 2. Those that are truly religious will be loyal, in conscience towards God; the godly in the land will be the quite in the land; and those are not truly loyal, or will be so no longer than is... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 24:1-2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 24:3-6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 24:7-9

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 24:10

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 24:11-12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 24:13-14

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 24:15-16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 24:17-18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 24:19-20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 24:21-22

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