Proverbs 20:2-7

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:4

See here the evil of slothfulness and the love of ease. 1. It keeps men from the most necessary business, from ploughing and sowing when the season is: The sluggard has ground to occupy, and has ability for it; he can plough, but he will not; some excuse or other he has to shift it off, but the true reason is that it is cold weather. Though ploughing time is not in the depth of winter, it is in the borders of winter, when he thinks it too cold for him to be abroad. Those are scandalously... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:5

A man's wisdom is here said to be of use to him for the pumping of other people, and diving into them, 1. To get the knowledge of them. Though men's counsels and designs are ever so carefully concealed by them, so that they are as deep water which one cannot fathom, yet there are those who by sly insinuations, and questions that seem foreign, will get out of them both what they have done and what they intend to do. Those therefore who would keep counsel must not only put on resolution, but... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:6

Note, 1. It is easy to find those that will pretend to be kind and liberal. Many a man will call himself a man of mercy, will boast what good he has done and what good he designs to do, or, at least, what an affection he has to well-doing. Most men will talk a great deal of their charity, generosity, hospitality, and piety, will sound a trumpet to themselves, as the Pharisees, and what little goodness they have will proclaim it and make a mighty matter of it. 2. But it is hard to find those... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:7

It is here observed to the honour of a good man, 1. That he does well for himself. He has a certain rule, which with an even steady hand he governs himself by: He walks in his integrity; he keeps good conscience, and he has the comfort of it, for it is his rejoicing. He is not liable to those uneasinesses, either in contriving what he shall do or reflecting on what he has done, which those are liable to that walk in deceit. 2. That he does well for his family: His children are blessed after... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:4

The sluggard will not plough by reason of the cold ,.... Or, "in the cold"; in the time of cold, as Aben Ezra; in the time of autumn, which is the time of ploughing, when it begins to be cold weather, and winter is drawing on: and this is discouraging to the sluggard, who does not care to take his hands out of his bosom to feed himself, and much less to plough; see Proverbs 19:24 ; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing ; he shall ask of those who have ploughed and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:5

Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water ,.... Pure and undisturbed, but secret, hidden, and hard to be come at: such are the things of the spirit of a man, the thoughts of his mind, the devices of his heart; which, though easily known by the searcher of hearts, are not easily penetrated into by men; or it is not easily got out of them what is in them, especially in some men, who are very close and reserved. This is true of wicked men, who seek sleep to hide their counsel; and of... read more

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