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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 6:6-11

Solomon, in these verses, addresses himself to the sluggard who loves his ease, lives in idleness, minds no business, sticks to nothing, brings nothing to pass, and in a particular manner is careless in the business of religion. Slothfulness is as sure a way to poverty, though not so short a way, as rash suretiship. He speaks here to the sluggard, I. By way of instruction, Ps. 6:6-8. He sends him to school, for sluggards must be schooled. He is to take him to school himself, for, if the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 6:6

Go to the ant, thou sluggard ,.... That art become surety for another, and got into a snare and net, and yet takest no pains to get out. Or this may be directed, not to the surety, but the debtor; who, through his slothfulness, has contracted debts, and uses no industry to be in a capacity to pay them. Or, it may be, this has no connection with the former; but the wise man proceeds to a new subject, and to dissuade from idleness, which brings ruin on families, and leads to all sin; and, for... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 6:6

Go to the ant, thou sluggard - נמלה nemalah , the ant, is a remarkable creature for foresight, industry, and economy. At the proper seasons they collect their food - not in the summer to lay up for the winter; for they sleep during the winter, and eat not; and therefore such hoards would be to them useless; but when the food necessary for them is most plentiful, then they collect it for their consumption in the proper seasons. No insect is more laborious, not even the bee itself; and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 6:1-35

The sixth chapter embraces four distinct discourses, each of which is a warning. The subjects treated of are The continuity of the subject treated of in the preceding chapter appears to be somewhat abruptly interrupted to make way for the insertion of three discourses on subjects which apparently have little connection with what precedes and what follows. Their unlooked for and unexpected appearance has led Hitzig to regard them as interpolations, but it has been conclusively pointed out... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 6:6

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. The ant (Hebrew, n'malah ) is here brought forward as supplying an example of wisdom to the sluggard. The habits of this insect, its industry and providence, have in all ages made it the symbol of these two qualities, and not only the sacred, but also profane writers have praised its foresight, and held it up for imitation. The ant is only mentioned twice in the Old Testament, and on both occasions in our book (see present... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 6:6

The ant Scripture sends us to nature. Even the smallest works of nature are full of Divine lessons to him who has eyes to read them. Sometimes we are bidden to consider the heavens, but now we are invited to consider the ant. The telescope has its lessons; so also has the microscope. But when a man refuses to hear the voice of God, will he hear the voice of an insect prophet? Possibly. It takes an eagle's eye to gaze at the sun; but any eye can look on the earth. If a man's vision is too... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 6:6-11

10. Tenth admonitory discourse. Warning against sloth. The ethical connection of this discourse with the preceding has already been pointed out. Sloth militates against prosperity; it is the prolific parent of want, and, even more surely than suretyship, leads to misfortune and ruin, The certainty with which ruin steals upon the sluggard may be the reason why the teacher closes the discourse in the way he does. In the case of suretyship such an issue is uncertain; there is the possibility... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 6:6-11

The sluggard admonished I. THE PICTURE OF INSECT INDUSTRY . The ant was viewed as the very picture of laboriousness in ancient as in modern times. It is interesting that the German word for "industrious" ( emsig ) seems derivable from amessi, "emmet, ant." The like may probably be traceable in some English dialects, 1 . The industry of the ant has all the appearance of a virtue. For it seems unforced; there is no judge, superintendent, or onlooker, or taskmaster, to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 6:6-11

Sloth and diligence In this land and in this age, in England in the nineteenth century, there is little room for the sluggard; there is comparatively little temptation to sluggishness; the force of a rushing stream carries all along with it at a rapid pace. Nevertheless, it is true— I. THAT SOME MEN FIND THEMSELVES UNDER SPECIAL TEMPTATION TO SLOTH . This may be a matter of II. THAT IT IS TO BE REGARDED AS UNWORTHY OF CHRISTIAN MANHOOD . ... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 6:6-8

Proverbs 6:6-8. Go to the ant, &c. “Nor are industry and diligence requisite in this alone, but in all thy affairs; to which, therefore, if thou art slothful, I must excite thee by the example of the ants; whose orderly and unanimous diligence, in collecting and preserving food for themselves, if thou wilt observe, thou mayest be ashamed” to be indolent, “and learn hereafter to imitate their provident care.” Which having no guide, &c. “Which is the more remarkable, because they... read more

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