This chapter gives an account of some buildings of Solomon for himself, 1 Kings 7:1–12; and of other things for the use of the temple; of two pillars of brass, 1 Kings 7:13–22; of the molten sea, 1 Kings 7:23–26; and of ten bases, and ten layers on them, 1 Kings 7:27–39; with other utensils and…

Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith A small quantity of bread; a broken piece of bread, as the word [[21]] signifies; which has been long broken off, and become “dry” [[22]]; a dry crust of bread; old bread, as the Arabic version; an old, mouldy, dry piece of bread: and the word used…

A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, &c.] That does wicked and shameful actions: that is slothful, and will not attend to instruction or business; that is prodigal, wasteful, and luxurious, and causes shame to his parents, who blush at his conduct.

The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold Refiners of silver have their fining pots, in which they purify the silver from the dross; and goldsmiths have their crucibles to melt and purify their gold, by which assays of the worth and value of it may be made; but the Lord trieth the…

A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips A man of an ill spirit, of a mischievous disposition, that delights in doing wickedness; he carefully attends to such as speak falsehood; he listens to lies and calumnies, loves to hear ill reports of persons, and takes pleasure in spreading them to the hurt…

Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker He that mocks the poor for his poverty, Upbraids him with his mean appearance, scoffs at the clothes he wears or food he eats, such an one reproaches his Creator; or, as the Targum, “provokes his Creator to anger;” him who is his own Creator as well as…

Children’s children are the crown of old men Ancient parents. Grandfathers with the Jews are called old men, as Buxtorf [[3]] observes. A numerous progeny was reckoned a great blessing to a man; to have his table surrounded with children, as olive plants; to be encircled with a large family was a…

Excellent speech becometh not a fool A wicked man. Eloquence, or a sublime grand way of speaking, a copiousness and fluency of expression, become not such; because hereby he may be capable of doing more mischief; or such a style is unsuitable to the subject of his discourse, which is nothing but…

A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it Or “is a stone of grace” [[7]], the note of similitude being wanting. It is an ornament of grace, adorns the person that wears it, makes him look lovely and amiable; is very grateful and desirable in itself, attracts and dazzles the…

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love He that hides the transgression of another, or of his friend, committed against himself or against another, which he is privy to; but the matter being made up, and the offence forgiven, he forgets it, and no more speaks of it to his friend, or upbraids…

A reproof entereth more into a wise man A single verbal reproof, gently, kindly, and prudently given, not only enters the ear, but the heart of a wise and understanding man; it descends into him, as the word [[9]] signifies; it sinks deep into his mind; it penetrates into his heart, and pierces his…

An evil man seeketh only rebellion For he seeks nothing but what is evil; and all sin is rebellion against God, a contempt of his laws, and a transgression of them; a trampling upon his legislative power and authority; an act of hostility against him, and a casting off allegiance to him.

Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man A bear is a very fierce and furious creature, especially a she bear; and she is still more so when robbed of her whelps, which she has just whelped, and been at great pains to lick into shape and form, by which her fondness to them is increased; and…

Whoso rewardeth evil for good As the enemies of David and Christ rewarded them, ; this is base ingratitude, contrary to the law and light of nature; worse than beastly, is really devilish; evil shall not depart from his house; from him and his family; they shall be continually visited with one…

The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water, &c.] As when a man makes a little hole in the bank of a river, or cuts a small passage in it, to let the water into an adjoining field; by the force of the water, the passage is widened, and it flows in, in great abundance, to the overflow…

He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just That absolves and clears the guilty, and pronounces him righteous in open court, where he stands arraigned, accused, and the fact proved; and that adjudges an innocent man to condemnation; or passes the sentence of it upon him, when it…

Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom Natural wisdom and knowledge. By this “price” may be meant money, riches, worldly substance, of which a foolish man is possessed; by means of which he might purchase useful books for the improvement of his mind, and procure himself…

A friend loveth at all times A true, hearty, faithful friend, loves in times of adversity as well as in times of prosperity: there are many that are friends to persons, while they are in affluent circumstances; but when there is a change in their condition, and they are stripped of all riches and…

A man void of understanding striketh hands With his friend’s creditor, and becomes surety for him; and thereby acts a very unwise part, and shows himself to want understanding, by taking such a step, which may prove the ruin of himself and family: for though a man may and should love his friend at…

He loveth transgression that loveth strife For strife is transgression, when it flows from a malignant spirit, is with bad views, about things to no profit, and for contention’s sake; otherwise to contend earnestly for the truth; to strive together for the faith of the Gospel, for matters of moment…

He that hath a froward heart findeth no good Who is of a perverse spirit, meditates and devises evil things; is not ingenuous and sincere, but false and deceitful to God and men: such an one gets no good from either; he obtains not the favour of God, nor a good name, credit, and reputation among…

He that begetteth a fool doth it to his sorrow As it proves in the issue; though it was joy to him when a man child was born, and took delight in him while in infancy and childhood, and promised himself much happiness in him when at years of discretion; but, instead of that, he departs from his…

A merry heart doth good like a medicine Does the body good, makes it healthful and vigorous. Cheerfulness of spirit has a great influence upon the body, and much contributes to the health and welfare of it; see ; and especially a heart full of spiritual joy, peace of conscience, flowing from the…

A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom Of another, of a rich man, who takes it out from thence, and offers it to him as a bribe. This he takes in the most secret manner, that it might not be seen by others; though the Arabic version renders it, “he that receives a gift in his own bosom commits…

Wisdom is before him that hath understanding Is near him, to direct and assist him; it is before him as a rule to walk by, and it is the mark he aims at.

A foolish son is a grief to his father Because of his folly and wickedness, and the ruin he is bringing himself to; and bitterness to her that bare him; a cause of bitterness of soul to his mother, more distressing than the bitter pains with which she brought him forth into the world.

Also to punish the just is not good It is evil, and an abomination to the Lord, . Evildoers indeed should be punished; but to punish the righteous also, as well as them, is far from being commendable; nor to strike princes for equity: to strike princes, judges, civil magistrates, for doing the duty…

He that hath knowledge spareth his words Or, “he that knows knowledge” [[2]]; one that is very knowing, has a fund of knowledge in him, “spareth his words”; is generally a man of few words, he thinks much and says little; and though he may be communicative of his knowledge to proper persons, and at…

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise Not only one that is sparing of his words, and is really a man of knowledge and understanding; but even a feel, if he is but silent, and does not betray his folly by his words, will be reckoned a wise man by those that do not know him; and,…