In this chapter we have a short history of the reign of Abijam, 1 Kings 15:1–8 and of Asa, 1 Kings 14:9–24, both kings of Judah; and of the reigns of Nadab the son of Jeroboam, and of Baasha, who destroyed his family, both kings of Israel, 1 Kings 15:25–34.

The wicked flee when no man pursueth Through the terrors of a guilty conscience, as in Cain and others; who fear where no immediate cause of fear is, are frightened with their own shadows; and as Gaal was with the shadow of the mountains, he took for an army of men, as his friend told him, ; they…

For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof Either together; that is, reigning princes, such as lay claim to the crown, and usurp it; otherwise it is a happiness to a nation to have many princes of the blood, to inherit in succession, to support the crown in their family, and…

A poor man that oppresseth the poor Either one that is poor at the time he oppresses another like himself, either by secret fraud or open injury; from whom the oppressed can get no redress, as sometimes he may and does from a rich man: or rather one that has been poor, but now become rich, and got…

They that forsake the law praise the wicked Who are like them; who forsake and transgress the law, as they do; every like loves its like; wicked men delight in sin, the transgression of the law, and in those that do it.

Evil men understand not judgment Or, “men of wickedness” [[1]]; that are under the governing power of it; who are given up and give up themselves unto it; who, like Ahab, sell themselves to work wickedness: these know not what is just and right between man and man, at least not to do it; they know…

Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness (See Gill on Prov. 19:1); than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich; or, “in his two ways” [[2]]: that halts between two ways, or makes use of both; sometimes turns to the one, to the right hand, and sometimes to the other, to the…

Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son That observes the law of God; for, though he cannot perfectly keep it, yet he delights in it after the inward man; and with his spirit serves it, from a principle of love, in faith, and with a view to the glory of God, without mercenary and sinister ends.

He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance By biting and oppressing the poor; letting him have money at an exorbitant interest, and goods at an exorbitant price, and so increases his substance in this scandalous manner; hence usury is in , called “increase”, and by the Greeks (τοκος)…

He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law Not merely the moral law, but the word of God in general, and any and every doctrine of it; though the law is to be heard and attended to, what it commands and forbids, its precepts, menaces, and curses: indeed the Spirit of God is not received by…

Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way That is, who attempts to deceive them, and draw them into errors or immoralities, and so into a snare, into mischief and ruin; first into the evil of sin, in order to bring them into the evil of punishment; I say, who attempts to do it; for it…

The rich man is wise in his own conceit Ascribing his getting riches to his great sagacity, wisdom, and prudence; and being flattered with it by dependents on him; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out: a man of good understanding, whether in things natural, civil, moral, or…

When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory When it is well with them; when they are in prosperous circumstances; when they are countenanced and encouraged by the government under which they are; when they have the free exercise of their religion; and especially when they are advanced to…

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper God may cover a man’s sins, and it is an instance of his grace, and it is the glory of it to do it, but a man may not cover his own: it is right in one good man to cover the sins of another, reproving him secretly, and freely forgiving him; but it is…

Happy is the man that feareth alway Not men, but the Lord; there is a fear and reverence due to men, according to the stations in which they are; but a slavish fear of man, and which deters from the worship of God and obedience to him, is criminal, and brings a snare; and a man, under the influence…

As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear Which are both terrible; the lion that roars for want of food, or when it is over its prey; and the hear, when it runs from place to place in quest of provision, being “hungry and very desirous” of food, has a keen appetite, as some think the word [[10]]…

The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor Or, “much in oppressions” [[13]]; he multiplies them, and abounds in them; he distresses his subjects in a variety of ways and methods he uses to extort money from them by which he shows his want of understanding: he is a wise prince…

A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person That sheds the blood of any in a violent manner; that lays violent hands upon a club, and takes away his life, contrary to the law in .

Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved, Or “be safe” [[16]] from those that seek his life, plot against him, shoot at him, as the wicked do at the upright in heart, but the Lord protects him; and it is even well with him in times of public calamities; the Lord has his chambers and hiding places for…

He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread Or, “shall he filled” or “satisfied with bread” [[17]]: shall have bread enough, and to spare; provisions of all sorts, and in great plenty; (See Gill on Prov.

A faithful man shall abound with blessings Or, “a man of faithfulness” [[19]]. A very faithful man, that is truly so; that is so in a moral sense; true to his work, makes good his promises, fulfils his contracts, abides by the obligations he lays himself under; is faithful in every trust reposed in…

To have respect of persons is not good, &c, In courts of judicature, to give a cause or pass sentence in favour of a person, because he is rich, or is a relation, a friend, an acquaintance, or has done a kindness; and against another, because of the reverse, ; nor in religious assemblies, making a…

He that hasteth to be rich As every man that is eagerly desirous of riches is; he would be rich at once [[24]], and cannot wait with any patience in the ordinary course of means: hath an evil eye; on the substance of others, to get it, right or wrong; is an evil man, and takes evil methods to be…

He that rebuketh a man His friend and acquaintance, for any fault committed by him; which reproof he gives in a free and faithful manner, yet kind, tender, and affectionate.

Whoso robbeth his father or his mother As Micah did of eleven hundred shekels of silver, ; and saith, it is no transgression; what is his father’s or his mother’s is his own, or as good as his own, it will come to him at their death; and if he wants it before, he thinks he ought to have it; and if…

He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife Or, of a “large heart” [[2]], or has an enlarged one; not with useful knowledge and understanding, as Solomon had; nor a heart enlarged with love and affection to the souls of men, as the Apostle Paul had; but either has a covetous one, who enlarges…

He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool Since the thoughts and imaginations of the thoughts of the heart are only evil, and that continually; they are vain and vague, sinful and corrupt; the affections are inordinate, the conscience defiled, the understanding darkened, and the will perverse;…

He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack That gives alms unto them, relieves them in their distress, supplies them with money, food, or clothes, and does it cheerfully, largely, and liberally, as the case requires; such an one shall not want any good thing; he shall not be the poorer for what he…

When the wicked rise, men hide themselves When wicked men are raised to places of power and authority, rich men hide themselves, lest they should become a prey to them; and good men hide themselves, that they may not be put to death by them; or as ashamed to behold their evil actions; (See Gill on…