Proverbs 29:26-27

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 29:26

See here, 1. What is the common course men take to advance and enrich themselves, and make themselves great: they seek the ruler's favour, and, as if all their judgment proceeded from him, to him they make all their court. Solomon was himself a ruler, and knew with what sedulity men made their application to him, some on one errand, others on another, but all for his favour. It is the way of the world to make interest with great men, and expect much from the smiles of second causes, which yet... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 29:27

This expresses not only the innate contrariety that there is between virtue and vice, as between light and darkness, fire and water, but the old enmity that has always been between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent, Gen. 3:15. 1. All that are sanctified have a rooted antipathy to wickedness and wicked people. They have a good will to the souls of all (God has, and would have none perish); but they hate the ways and practices of those that are impious towards God and injurious... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 29:26

Many seek the ruler's favour ,.... Or "face" F5 פני "faciem", V. L. Pagninus, Vatablus, Tigurine version, Junius & Tremellius, so Michaelis, Schultens. ; are very desirous of being admitted into his presence, and of having his company and conversation; of having an opportunity to ask a favour of him, and of receiving honour from him, and of gaining him on their side, to take their part in a cause depending; see Proverbs 19:6 ; but every man's judgment cometh from the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 29:27

An unjust man is an abomination to the just ,.... Not his person, but his actions, his unrighteous actions, his ungodly life and conversation; which a man, holy, just, and good, loathes and abhors, and cannot forbear expressing his abhorrence of; and therefore shuns his company, and will have no fellowship with him. And, on the other hand, he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked ; that man that is upright in heart and life, that walks according to the rule of the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 29:26

Many seek the ruler's favor - To be screened from the punishment determined by the law; but should he grant the favor sought, and pardon the criminal, this takes not away his guilt in the sight of God, from whom all just judgment proceeds. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 29:27

And he that is upright in the way - " But as for those that be in the right waye, the wicked hate them." - Coverdale. To this verse the Vulgate adds the following: Verbum custodiens filius extra perditionem erit ; "The son that keeps the word shall not fall into perdition." This is not in all copies of the Vulgate: but it was in that from which my old MS. Bible was made, where it is thus translated: The sone keping the worde schal ben out of perdicyon. I believe verbum here is intended... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 29:24-27

Prevalence in alliance with religion I. PRUDENCE AND RELIGION ARE EVER IN HARMONY . There can be no divorce between them. We are not placed between cross lights here. What intelligent regard to self prescribes, God's Law commands. Approach the facts of life from these two opposite sides, travel by either of these two paths, they meet at last in duty, in safety, in peace, and salvation. II. SOME EXAMPLES OF THIS HARMONY . 1 . All dishonesty or complicity... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 29:25-26

Two temptations and two resources As responsible human souls, we find ourselves exposed to two dangers, and we have two sources of refuge and strength of a very similar character. I. TWO TEMPTATIONS . 1 . To be unduly affected by the fear of man's displeasure. "The fear of man," etc. Now, the fear of man: By this unmanly and unholy fear we may be 2 . To be unduly impelled by a desire for man's favour. "Many seek the ruler's favour." There is, of course, nothing wrong in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 29:26

Many seek the ruler's favour ; literally, the countenance of the ruler . A variation of Proverbs 19:6 . There are numbers who are always trying, by means fair or surreptitious, to curry favour with a great man who has anything to bestow (comp. lKi Proverbs 10:24 ; Psalms 45:12 ). But every man's judgment cometh from the Lord. The real and only reliable judgment comes, not from an earthly prince, but from the Lord, whose approval or disapproval is final and indisputable. Therefore... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 29:26

The supreme Arbiter . I. IT IS A COMMON MISTAKE TO ASCRIBE TO MAN THE INFLUENCE WHICH BELONGS ONLY TO GOD . In the previous verse we have been warned against falling into the snare of the fear of man, and encouraged to find our safety in trust in God. A similar contrast is again presented to us, but from the opposite side. We are tempted to flatter the great in order to win their favour; but we are now reminded that our destiny does not lie in their hands,... read more

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