Proverbs 16:7-10

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:7

Note, 1. God can turn foes into friends when he pleases. He that has all hearts in his hand has access to men's spirits and power over them, working insensibly, but irresistibly upon them, can make a man's enemies to be at peace with him, can change their minds, or force them into a feigned submission. He can slay all enemies, and bring those together that were at the greatest distance from each other. 2. He will do it for us when we please him. If we make it our care to be reconciled to God,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:8

Here, 1. It is supposed that an honest good man may have but a little of the wealth of this world (all the righteous are not rich),?that a man may have but little, and yet may be honest (though poverty is a temptation to dishonesty, Prov. 30:9; yet not an invincible one),?and that a man may grow rich, for a while, by fraud and oppression, may have great revenues, and those got and kept without right, may have no good title to them nor make any good use of them. 2. It is maintained that a small... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:9

Man is here represented to us, 1. As a reasonable creature, that has the faculty of contriving for himself: His heart devises his way, designs an end, and projects ways and means leading to that end, which the inferior creatures, who are governed by sense and natural instinct, cannot do. The more shame for him if he do not devise the way how to please God and provide for his everlasting state. 2. But as a depending creature, that is subject to the direction and dominion of his Maker. If men... read more

Matthew Henry

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:7

When a man's ways please the Lord ,.... As they do when a man walks according to the rule of his word; when he walks as he has Christ for an example; when he walks after the Spirit, and not after the flesh; when he walks by faith, and does all he does in faith; without which it is impossible to please God, Hebrews 11:6 ; and when all his ways and actions are directed to the glory of God; he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him ; as Abimelech with Isaac, Esau with Jacob; and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:8

Better is a little with righteousness ,.... Gotten in a righteous way, held by a righteous claim, used in a righteous manner, attended with a life of righteousness and holiness; and also along with an interest in the righteousness of Christ, which renders acceptable unto God, yields peace and comfort, and entitles to eternal glory and happiness. A truly righteous man may have but little of this world's goods; but his small pittance is better than great revenues without right ; obtained... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:9

A man's heart deviseth his way ,.... This is to be understood, not of a wicked man, in whose heart is frowardness, and who devises mischief and evil imaginations continually, Proverbs 6:14 ; for such are an abomination to the Lord; nor will he direct their goings, or prosper and succeed them in their ways: but of a good man, or righteous man, as Aben Ezra; who thinks of the way in which he should go, and desires to walk in a right way, as Jarchi; and who is influenced by the Spirit and... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 16:7

When a man's ways please the Lord - God is the guardian and defense of all that fear and love him; and it is truly astonishing to see how wondrously God works in their behalf, raising them up friends, and turning their enemies into friends. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 16:9

A man's heart deviseth his way - This is precisely the same sentiment as that contained in the first verse, on the true meaning of which so much has been already said. read more

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