31 matching verse commentaries
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary - Matthew Henry
1 The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord , as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. Note, 1. Even the hearts of men are in God's hand, and not only their goings, as he had said, ch. xx. 24. God can change men's minds, can, by a powerful insensible operation under their spirits, turn them from that which they seemed most...
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary - Matthew Henry
1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. Here are two things which are more valuable and which we should covet more than great riches:—1. To be well spoken of: A name (that is, a good name, a name for good things with God and good people) is rather to be chosen than great riches; that...
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary - Matthew Henry
1 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee: 2 And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. 3 Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat. The sin we are here warned against is luxury and sensuality, and the indulgence of the appetite in eating and drinking, a sin that...
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary - Matthew Henry
1 Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. 2 For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief. Here, 1. The caution given is much the same with that which we had before (ch. xxiii. 17), not to envy sinners, not to think them happy, nor to wish ourselves in their condition, though they prosper ever...
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary - Matthew Henry
1 These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out. This verse is the title of this latter collection of Solomon's proverbs, for he sought out and set in order many proverbs, that by them he might be still teaching the people knowledge, Eccl. xii. 9. Observe, 1. The proverbs were Solomon's, who was divinely...
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary - Matthew Henry
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool. Note, 1. It is too common a thing for honour to be given to fools, who are utterly unworthy of it and unfit for it. Bad men, who have neither wit nor grace, are sometimes preferred by princes, and applauded and cried up by the people. Folly is set in great dignity, as...
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary - Matthew Henry
1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Here is, 1. A good caution against presuming upon time to come: Boast not thyself, no, not of to-morrow, much less of many days or years to come. This does not forbid preparing for to-morrow, but presuming upon to-morrow. We must not promise ourselves the...
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary - Matthew Henry
1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. See here, 1. What continual frights those are subject to that go on in wicked ways. Guilt in the conscience makes men a terror to themselves, so that they are ready to flee when none pursues; like one that absconds for debt, who thinks every one he meets a bailiff....
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary - Matthew Henry
1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. Here, 1. The obstinacy of many wicked people in a wicked way is to be greatly lamented. They are often reproved by parents and friends, by magistrates and ministers, by the providence of God and by their own consciences, have had their sins...
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary - Matthew Henry
This and the following chapter are an appendix to Solomon's proverbs; but they are both expressly called prophecies in the first verses of both, by which it appears that the penmen of them, whoever they were, were divinely inspired. This chapter was penned by one that bears the name of "Agur Ben Jakeh." What tribe he was of, or when he lived, we...
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary - Matthew Henry
This chapter is added to Solomon's proverbs, some think because it is of the same author, supposing king Lemuel to be king Solomon; others only because it is of the same nature, though left in writing by another author, called Lemuel; however it be, it is a prophecy, and therefore given by inspiration and direction of God, which Lemuel was under...