Proverbs 29:2-4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 29:2

This is what was said before, Prov. 28:12, 28. 1. The people will have cause to rejoice or mourn according as their rulers are righteous or wicked; for, if the righteous be in authority, sin will be punished and restrained, religion and virtue will be supported and kept in reputation; but, if the wicked get power in their hands, wickedness will abound, religion and religious people will be persecuted, and so the ends of government will be perverted. 2. The people will actually rejoice or mourn... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 29:3

Both the parts of this verse repeat what has been often said, but, on comparing them together, the sense of them will be enlarged from each other. 1. Be it observed, to the honour of a virtuous young man, that he loves wisdom, he is a philosopher (for that signifies a lover of wisdom), for religion is the best philosophy; he avoids bad company, and especially the company of lewd women. Hereby he rejoices his parents, and has the satisfaction of being a comfort to them, and increases his... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 29:4

Here is, 1. The happiness of a people under a good government. The care and business of a prince should be to establish the land, to maintain its fundamental laws, to settle the minds of his subjects and make them easy, to secure their liberties and properties from hostilities and for posterity, and to set in order the things that are wanting; this he must do by judgment, by wise counsels, and by the steady administration of justice, without respect of persons, which will have these good... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 29:2

When the righteous are in authority ,.... Or "are increased" F7 ברבות "cum augentur", Junius & Tremellius; "cum multiplicati fuerit, vel multiplicantur", Vatablus, Baynus, Cocceius, Michaelis; "in multiplicari justos", Montanus. ; either in number or in riches, or in power and dominion; are set in high places, and have the exercise of civil government and the execution of the laws in their hands; for the protection of good men in their civil and religious privileges, and for the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 29:3

Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father ,.... He that is a philosopher, especially a religious one, that not only loves and seeks after natural wisdom, but moral wisdom and knowledge; and more particularly evangelical wisdom, Christ the Wisdom of God, who is to be valued and loved above all things; the Gospel of Christ, which is the wisdom of God in a mystery; and the knowledge of it which is the wisdom which comes from above and is pure and peaceable; and which lies much in the fear of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 29:4

The king by judgment establisheth the land ,.... By executing, judgment and justice among his subjects, he establishes the laws of the land, and the government of it; he secures its peace and prosperity, and preserves his people in the possession at their properties and privileges; and makes them rich and powerful, and the state stable and flourishing, so that it continues firm to posterity; such a king was Solomon, 2 Chronicles 9:8 ; but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it ; that,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 29:3

But he that keepeth company - רעה roeh , he that feedeth harlots, יאבד yeabed , shall utterly destroy his substance. Has there ever been a single case to the contrary? read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 29:4

He that receiveth gifts - This was notoriously the case in this kingdom, before the passing of the Magna Charta, or great charter of liberties. Hence that article in it, Nulli vendemus justitiam ; "We will not sell justice to any." I have met with cases in our ancient records where, in order to get his right, a man was obliged almost to ruin himself in presents to the king, queen, and their favourites, to get the case decided in his favor. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 29:1-7

Private morality and the public weal I. TRUTHS OF PERSONAL CONDUCT . 1 . The obstinate offender and his doom . ( Proverbs 29:1 .) The repeated complaint against Israel was that they were a "stiff-necked people." Self-willed, haughty, persistent, defying rebuke and chastisement, is the habit described. It invites judgment. "When lesser warnings will not serve, God looks into his quiver for deadly arrows." They who will not bend before the gentle persuasions of God's Holy... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 29:2

When the righteous are in authority; rather, as in Proverbs 28:28 , when the righteous are increased ; Vulgate, in multiplicatione justorum . When sinners are put away, and the righteous are in the majority. Septuagint, "when the just are commended." When good men give the tone to society and conduct all affairs according to their own high standard, the peoople rejoice; there is general happiness; prosperity abounds, and voices ring cheerfully ( Proverbs 11:10 ; Proverbs 28:12 ... read more

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