Proverbs 20:2-3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:2

See here, 1. How formidable kings are, and what a terror they strike upon those they are angry with. Their fear, with which (especially when they are absolute and their will is a law) they keep their subjects in awe, is as the roaring of a lion, which is very dreadful to the creatures he preys upon, and makes them tremble so that they cannot escape from him. Those princes that rule by wisdom and love rule like God himself, and bear his image; but those that rule merely by terror, and with a... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:3

This is designed to rectify men's mistakes concerning strife. 1. Men think it is their wisdom to engage in quarrels; whereas it is the greatest folly that can be. He thinks himself a wise man that is quick in resenting affronts, that stands upon every nicety of honour and right, and will not abate an ace of either, that prescribes, and imposes, and gives law, to every body; but he that thus meddles is a fool, and creates a great deal of needless vexation to himself. 2. Men think, when they are... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:2

The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion ,.... The wrath and displeasure of a king, which causes fear; see Proverbs 19:12 ; kings should be terrors to evil works and workers, though not to good ones, Romans 13:3 . This is true of the King of kings, who one day will be terrible to the drunkards, the mockers, and murderers of his people, before spoken of; whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul ; he exposes his life to danger: the Targum supplies it as we... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:3

It is an honour for a man to cease from strife ,.... As Abraham did, Genesis 13:7 ; when engaged in a quarrel with his neighbour, or in a lawsuit, or in a religious controversy, especially when he finds he is in the wrong; and indeed, if he is in the right, when he perceives it is like to issue in no good, and is only about words to no profit, it is an honour to drop it; but every fool will be meddling ; with things he has no concern in, or is not equal to; yet will carry on the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 20:2

The fear of a king - Almost the same with Proverbs 19:12 ; (note), which see. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 20:3

It is an honoer for a man - The same sentiment as Proverbs 19:11 . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:1-5

Evils to be avoided I. SOME SPECIAL EVILS AND DANGERS . 1 . Drunkenness . ( Proverbs 20:1 .) The spirit or demon of wine is spoken of as a personal agent. It leads to frivolity, scoffing, profane and senseless mirth. To be drunk with wine, as St. Paul points out ( Ephesians 5:18 ), is the opposite of being "filled with the Spirit" (see F.W. Robertson's sermon on this subject). 2 . The wrath of kings. ( Proverbs 20:2 ) In those times of absolute rule, the king... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:2

The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion (see Proverbs 19:12 ). The terror which a king causes when his anger is rising is like the roar of a lion, which betokens danger. Septuagint, "The threat of a king differeth not from the wrath of a lion." Whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul; imperils his life, which he has no right wilfully to jeopard. ,Septuagint, "He who enrageth him ( ὁ παροξύνων αὐτόν )." The Complutensian and some Greek versions introduce the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:3

It is an honour to a man to cease from strife; or better, as Delitzsch and others, to remain far from strife. A prudent man will not only abstain from causing quarrel, but will hold himself aloof from all contention, and thus will have due care for his own honour and dignity. How different is this from the modern cede, which makes a man's honour consist in his readiness to avenge fancied injury at the risk of his own or his neighbour's life! Septuagint, "It is a glory to a man to hold... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:3

The honour of peace The old world looked for glory in war; the Christian ideal—anticipated in Old Testament teaching—is to recognize honour in peace. It is better to keep peace than to be victorious in war, better to make peace than to win battles. Consider the grounds of this higher view of conflict and its issues. I. THE HONOUR OF PEACE MAY BE SEEN IN SELF - SUPPRESSION . It is much more easy to give the reins to ill will and hasty passion. Men find it harder to... read more

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