Proverbs 24:17-18

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 24:17-18

Proverbs 24:17-18 . Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth Namely, into mischief or trouble, as in the former verse; please not thyself in his destruction. This plainly shows that the love of our enemies is a precept of the Old Testament, as well as of the New: see Exodus 23:4-5. Lest the Lord see it, &c. “For though nobody sees it, God does; and such affections are so displeasing to him, that they may provoke him to translate the calamity from thy enemy unto thee, and thereby damp thy... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 24:1-34

Godly and ungodly citizens (24:1-34)In contrast to the destructive schemes of the wicked are the constructive acts of the wise. A life built by wisdom is likened to a strongly built and richly furnished house (24:1-4). Wisdom gives people real strength and success, but folly gives them nothing worthwhile, not even sensible words that can benefit their fellow citizens (5-7). (In ancient times the place where citizens liked to gather was the open area just inside the city gate; v. 7. There they... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 24:17

Rejoice not. Illustrations: Tyre (Ezekiel 26:2-6 ); Ammon (Ezekiel 25:6 ); David (2 Samuel 1:11 , 2 Samuel 1:12 ). Compare Psalms 35:13 , Psalms 35:14 ); Jeremiah (Jeremiah 9:1 ); Edom (Obadiah 1:11-14 ). read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 24:18

from him. Supply Ellipsis, "from him [to thee]". read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 24:17

28"Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, And let not thy heart be glad when he is overthrown; Lest Jehovah see it, and it displease him, And he turn away his wrath from him.""This teaches that it is one's duty not to rejoice at the misfortunes of enemies. The word `rejoice' refers to audible expressions of exultation. This, of course is a negative commandment; but the positive side of it, `sympathy for enemies', although not expressed, may be implied (Matthew 5:44)."[10]Furthermore, this... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 24:17

17, 18. Yet let none rejoice over the fate of evildoers, lest God punish their wrong spirit by relieving the sufferer (compare Proverbs 17:5; Job 31:29). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Proverbs 24:17-18

To complete the thought, we might add at the end of this saying: "and turn it on you." Gloating over someone else’s misfortune is a practice God disapproves-even if the other person is the adversary of the righteous (cf. Matthew 5:44). Fear of God’s displeasure should warn the wise away from this attitude and activity."In truth the proverb teaches that the LORD will not promote further moral ugliness by maintaining the situation that exacerbates it." [Note: Waltke, The Book . . . 31, p. p.... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Proverbs 24:17-22

III. COLLECTION 3: THIRTY SAYINGS OF THE WISE 22:17-24:22A third major section of the Book of Proverbs begins with Proverbs 22:17. This is clear from several indicators. The proverbs lengthen out again from the typical one-verse couplet that characterizes Proverbs 10:1 to Proverbs 22:16 (cf. chs. 1-9). Also, the phrase "my son" appears again, as in chapters 1-9. Third, we read in Proverbs 22:20 (in the Hebrew text) that a group of 30 sayings will follow. The NASB translators rendered this... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 24:1-34

5. Read, ’A wise man is better than a warrior, and a man of knowledge than a man of strength.’7. When put on his trial ’in the gate’ of the city, where public business was usually transacted, he has nothing to say (Matthew 22:12). 10. Adversity is sent to bring out your strength: if you are slack and irresolute in the day of trial you are proved to be a weakling. 11, 12. Do not seek to evade your responsibilities (Genesis 4:9; James 4:17). 13, 14. Wisdom is as sweet as honey.16-18. Seven] an... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Proverbs 24:18

(18) And he turn away his wrath from him.—Upon thee as having sinned more deeply than thine enemy in thus rejoicing at his misfortunes. (Comp. Proverbs 17:5.) read more

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