Proverbs 20:25-30 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:25

Two things, by which God is greatly affronted, men are here said to be ensnared by, and entangled not only in guilt, but in trouble and ruin at length:?1. Sacrilege, men's alienating holy things and converting them to their own use, which is here called devouring them. What is devoted in any way to the service and honour of God, for the support of religion and divine worship or the relief of the poor, ought to be conscientiously preserved to the purposes designed; and those that directly or... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:26

See here, 1. What is the business of magistrates. They are to be a terror to evil-doers. They must scatter the wicked, who are linked in confederacies to assist and embolden one another in doing mischief; and there is no doing this but by bringing the wheel over them, that is, putting the laws in execution against them, crushing their power and quashing their projects. Severity must sometimes be used to rid the country of those that are openly vicious and mischievous, debauched and debauching.... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:27

We have here the dignity of the soul, the great soul of man, that light which lighteth every man. 1. It is a divine light; it is the candle of the Lord, a candle of his lighting, for it is the inspiration of the Almighty that gives us understanding. He forms the spirit of man within him. It is after the image of God that man is created in knowledge. Conscience, that noble faculty, is God's deputy in the soul; it is a candle not only lighted by him, but lighted for him. The Father of spirits is... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:28

Here we have, 1. The virtues of a good king. Those are mercy and truth, especially mercy, for that is mentioned twice here. He must be strictly faithful to his word, must be sincere, and abhor all dissimulation, must religiously discharge all the trusts reposed in him, must support and countenance truth. He must likewise rule with clemency, and by all acts of compassion gain the affections of his people. Mercy and truth are the glories of God's throne, and kings are called gods. 2. The... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:29

This shows that both young and old have their advantages, and therefore must each of them be, according to their capacities, serviceable to the public, and neither of them despise nor envy the other. 1. Let not old people despise the young, for they are strong and fit for action, able to go through business and break through difficulties, which the aged and weak cannot grapple with. The glory of young men is their strength, provided they use it well (in the service of God and their country,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:30

Note, 1. Many need severe rebukes. Some children are so obstinate that their parents can do no good with them without sharp correction; some criminals must feel the rigour of the law and public justice; gentle methods will not work upon them; they must be beaten black and blue. And the wise God sees that his own children sometimes need very sharp afflictions. 2. Severe rebukes sometimes do a great deal of good, as corrosives contribute to the cure of a wound, eating out the proud flesh. The... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:25

It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy ,.... Which is separated to sacred uses, is devoted to the Lord, as firstfruits, tithes, offerings, &c.; which if a man converts to his own use is sacrilege, and this is a sin and a snare, and brings ruin on him; see Malachi 3:8 ; and after vows to make inquiry : that is a sin and a snare also; a man should first inquire before he vows, whether it is right for him to make a vow, and whether he is able to keep it; it is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:26

A wise king scattereth the wicked ,.... Or "fans them away" F9 מזרה "ventilat", Junius & Tremellius, Schultens. ; separates them from his good counsellors, courtiers, and subjects; scatters them from his presence and court, and breaks their counsels and confederacies one with another; he discovers, discountenances, and discourages them; See Gill on Proverbs 20:8 ; and bringeth the wheel over them ; alluding to the custom of the eastern nations turning a cart wheel over... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:27

The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord ,.... The rational soul of man is a light set up in him; this is what is commonly called the light of nature; it was a bright and burning light at first, but through sin is become a very feeble one; by which men have only a glimmering view of divine things, of God and his worship, and of what he would have done, or not done; by this light men do but grope after him, if happily they may find him and know his will; it is but like a candle light at... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:28

Mercy and truth preserve the king ,.... Which are two good qualifications in a prince; not ruling his subjects with rigour and cruelty, but with tenderness and clemency; easing them as much as he can of burdens and pressures; showing compassion to the distressed, and pardoning delinquents when the case will admit of it; as also being faithful to his word, promises, and engagements; inviolably adhering to the laws and constitution of the nation, and steady in his administrations of justice;... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:25

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:26

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:27

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:28

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:29

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:30

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:25

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:26

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:27

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:28

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