This chapter contains a prophecy of the ruin of the family of Baasha, and an account of his death, 1 Kings 16:1–7, and of his son’s reigning in his stead two years, who was slain by Zimri one of his captains, 1 Kings 16:8–14, and who reigned but seven days, 1 Kings 16:15–20, and the people being…

He that being often reported hardeneth his neck Or “a man of reproofs” [[3]]; either a man that takes upon him to be a censurer and reprover of others, and is often at that work, and yet does those things himself which he censures and reproves in others; and therefore must have an impudent face and…

When the righteous are in authority Or “are increased” [[6]]; 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…

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…

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…

A man that flattereth his neighbour That speaks smooth things to him gives him flattering titles, speaks fair to his face, highly commends him on one account or another: spreadeth a net for his feet; has an idle design upon him, and therefore should be guarded against; his view is to draw him into…

In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare Or, according to the accents in some copies, “in the transgression of a man is an evil snare”, as Aben Ezra observes the words may be read; there is a snare in sin to man himself; one sin leads on to another, and a man is snared by the works of…

The righteous considereth the cause of the poor Not his poverty and distress, so as to relieve him, which yet he does, ; nor the person of the poor in judgment, and which he ought not to do; for as he should not regard a rich man’s person, and favour him, because he is rich; so neither a poor man,…

Scornful men bring a city into a snare Such as despise dominion, speak evil of dignities; proud and haughty men, that speak Loftily, and with a contempt of their superiors; or who make a mock at religion, and scoff at all that is good and serious; these bring the inhabitants of a city into a snare,…

If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man Enters into a controversy with him, either by word or writing, in order to convince him of his folly and wickedness, of his errors and mistakes; whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest; that is, either whether the fool is angry with the wise man, and…

The bloodthirsty hate the upright Cain did Abel; and as the wicked world hate all good men, and persecute them, even unto death; but the just must seek his soul; either the soul of the bloodthirsty, and that either the good of their souls; seek their spiritual welfare, and pray for it, even though…

A fool uttereth all his mind At once; tells all he knows, all that is in his breast; whatever he thinks, and all that he intends to do; what or whom he loves or hates.

If a ruler hearken to lies To men that tell them in order to soothe and flatter him, or to hurt the character and reputation of others, that they may raise their own: rulers should not listen to and encourage such sort of persons; for, as lying lips do not become a prince, so it is not right to…

The poor and the deceitful man meet together Or “the usurer” [[15]]; who by usury, by fraud and deception, is possessed of the mammon of unrighteousness, and is become rich; he and the poor man meet together; and so the sense is the same as in ; (See Gill on Prov.

The king that faithfully judgeth the poor That truly executes justice and judgment among all his subjects, particularly the poor, who are too often neglected, because they cannot afford persons to plead their cause: such a king was Solomon; and especially the Messiah, of whom he was a type, (Ps.

The rod and reproof give wisdom Are the means of giving wisdom to a child, reproved by its parent with the rod; and of driving out foolishness from him, and of making him wiser for the time to come; he shunning those evils for which he was before corrected, ; So the children of God grow wiser by…

When the wicked are multiplied Or “are in authority” [[16]]; as the word is rendered, ; transgression increaseth; among the common people, being encouraged by their wicked rulers, whose examples they follow; or as the wicked themselves increase, in numbers, in age, in power, and riches, their sins…

Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest Ease of mind, satisfaction and contentment, freedom from all anxious thoughts and cares; the correction being taken in good part, and succeeding according to wish and design; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul; by his tenderness to his parents,…

Where there is no vision, the people perish That is, “no prophecy”, as the Vulgate Latin version renders it; and which is often the sense of the word, as the vision of Isaiah is the prophecy of Isaiah; and, in the New Testament, prophesying is often put for preaching; and here vision, or prophecy,…

A servant will not be corrected by words Not by them only, especially one that is of a servile, surly, and untractable disposition; otherwise a good servant, and well disposed to his master, and willing to serve him, and promote his interest, a word is sufficient for such an one; when he is bid to…

Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words Swift to speak either before God or men; that takes upon him to speak upon a subject, or return an answer to a question, before he has thoroughly thought of it, and well considered it, and digested what he should say; see ; or “hasty in matters” [[22]];…

He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child In a very tender and affluent way uses him with great familiarity; makes him sit at table, with him, feeds him with dainties, and clothes him in the most handsome manner, as if he was one of his own children: shall have him become his son at…

An angry man stirreth up strife In families, neighbourhoods, communities, churches, and commonwealths; that is, one that is given to anger, and gives way to it, in whom it prevails and rules; and a furious man aboundeth in transgression; or, “a master of wrath or fury” [[23]]; one much addicted to…

A man’s pride shall bring him low As the pride of Adam, in affecting to be as gods, knowing good and evil; he lost the image of God; was brought into a state of darkness and ignorance, into debt and to a dunghill, to beggary and rags; filled with loathsome diseases, and left in thraldom and bondage…

Whoso is partner with a thief That robs and steals, and raises away another man’s property; which to do is sinful and contrary to the law of God, and punishable by it; and so it is to join with him in the theft, or to devise, or consent unto it; or to receive the stolen goods, or to hide and…

The fear of man bringeth a snare Either that which is subjectively in man; not a divine fear, or the fear of God, that grace which is put into the heart, for that leads to no snare, but tends to life; but a human fear, a servile one, a distrust of the power and providence, grace and goodness, of…

Many seek the ruler’s favour Or “face” [[4]]; 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…

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…