Proverbs 16:10-12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:10

We wish this were always true as a proposition, and we ought to make it our prayer for kings, and all in authority, that a divine sentence may be in their lips, both in giving orders, that they may do that in wisdom, and in giving sentence, that they may do that in equity, both which are included in judgment, and that in neither their mouth may transgress, 1 Tim. 2:1. But it is often otherwise; and therefore, 1. It may be read as a precept to the kings and judges of the earth to be wise and... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:11

Note, 1. The administration of public justice by the magistrate is an ordinance of God; in it the scales are held, and ought to be held by a steady and impartial hand; and we ought to submit to it, for the Lord's sake, and to see his authority in that of the magistrate, Rom. 13:1; 1 Pet. 2:13. 2. The observance of justice in commerce between man and man is likewise a divine appointment. He taught men discretion to make scales and weights for the adjusting of right exactly between buyer and... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:12

Here is, 1. The character of a good king, which Solomon intended not for his own praise, but for instruction to his successors, his neighbours, and the viceroys under him. A good king not only does justice, but it is an abomination to him to do otherwise. He hates the thought of doing wrong and perverting justice; he not only abhors the wickedness done by others, but abhors the wickedness done by others, but abhors to do any himself, though, having power, he might easily and safety do it. 2.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:10

A divine sentence is in the lips of the king ,.... Or "divination" F6 קסם "divinatio", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Cocceius, Gejerus, Michaelis, Schultens. , as the word signifies; or what is like to divination, as Aben Ezra and Gersom interpret it F7 So Vatablus, Mercerus, Piscator. . What be says is as an oracle, and should be strictly true. Some understand it of the sagacity and penetration of kings, as was in Solomon, and appeared in his judging the two harlots; but such is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:11

A just weight and balance are the Lord's ,.... These are of his devising; what he has put into the heart, of men to contrive and make use of, for the benefit of mankind, for the keeping and maintaining truth and justice in commercial affairs; these are of his appointing, commanding, and approving, Leviticus 19:35 ; all the weights of the bag are his work ; or, "all the stones" F8 אבני "lapides", Montanus, Vatablus, Piscator, Mercerus, Michaelis. ; greater or smaller, which... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:12

It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness ,.... The Targum is, "the abomination of kings are they that work wickedness.' It should be an abomination to kings to commit wickedness themselves, and those that do it should be abhorred by them, or they should show their resentment at it by removing them from their presence, or by punishing them: and though there have been such kings as David, Psalm 101:4 ; yet there are but few such; this is not true of kings in common; and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 16:10

A divine sentence - קסם kesem , "divination," as the margin has it. Is the meaning as follows? Though divination were applied to a righteous king's lips, to induce him to punish the innocent and spare the guilty, yet would not his lips transgress in judgment; so firmly attached is he to God, and so much is he under the Divine care and influence. Whatever judgment such a one pronounces, it may be considered as a decision from God. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 16:11

All the weights of the bag are his - Alluding, probably, to the standard weights laid up in a bag in the sanctuary, and to which all weights in common use in the land were to be referred, in order to ascertain whether they were just: but some think the allusion is to the weights carried about by merchants in their girdles, by which they weigh the money, silver and gold, that they take in exchange for their merchandise. As the Chinese take no coin but gold and silver by weight, they carry... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 16:12

It is an abomination to kings, etc. - In all these verses the wise man refers to monarchical government rightly administered. And the proverbs on this subject are all plain. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:10

A Divine sentence is in the lips of the king. קֶסֶם ( quesem ) is "divination," "soothsaying," oracular utterance. Septuagint, μαντεῖον . The king's words have, in people's minds, the certainty and importance of a Divine oracle, putting an end to all controversy or division of opinion. It seems to be a general maxim, not especially referring to Solomon or the theocratic kingdom, but rather indicating the traditional view of the absolute monarchy. The custom of deifying kings and... read more

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