5 A foolish man puts no value on his father's training; but he who has respect for teaching has good sense.
The man whose ear is open to the teaching of life will have his place among the wise. He who will not be controlled by training has no respect for his soul, but he who gives ear to teaching will get wisdom.
And he said to them, Why are you doing such things? for from all this people I get accounts of your evil ways. No, my sons, the account which is given me, which the Lord's people are sending about, is not good. If one man does wrong to another, God will be his judge: but if a man's sin is against the Lord, who will take up his cause? But they gave no attention to the voice of their father, for it was the Lord's purpose to send destruction on them.
Now after this, Absalom got for himself a carriage and horses, and fifty runners to go before him. And Absalom got up early, morning after morning, and took his place at the side of the public meeting-place: and when any man had a cause which had to come to the king to be judged, then Absalom, crying out to him, said, What is your town? and he would say, Your servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. And Absalom would say to him, See, your cause is true and right; but no man has been named by the king to give you a hearing. And more than this, Absalom said, If only I was made judge in the land, so that every man who has any cause or question might come to me, and I would give a right decision for him! And if any man came near to give him honour, he took him by the hand and gave him a kiss. And this Absalom did to everyone in Israel who came to the king to have his cause judged: so Absalom, like a thief, took away the hearts of the men of Israel.
Now, my son, may the Lord be with you; and may you do well, and put up the house of the Lord your God, as he has said of you. Only may the Lord give you wisdom, and knowledge of his orders for Israel, so that you may keep the law of the Lord your God. And all will go well for you, if you take care to keep the laws and the rules which the Lord gave to Moses for Israel: be strong and take heart; have no fear and do not be troubled.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 15
Commentary on Proverbs 15 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 15
Pr 15:1-33.
1. soft—tender or gentle.
turneth … wrath—from any one.
stir up—as a smouldering fire is excited.
2. useth … aright—commends knowledge by its proper use.
poureth out—utters abundantly (Pr 12:23), and so disgusts others.
3. beholding—watching (compare Pr 5:21; Ps 66:7).
4. A wholesome tongue—(Compare Margin), pacifying and soothing language.
tree of life—(Pr 3:18; 11:30).
perverseness therein—cross, ill-natured language.
breach … spirit—(compare Isa 65:14, Hebrew), grieves, instead of appeasing.
5. (Compare Pr 4:1; 10:17; 13:1-18).
is prudent—acts discreetly.
6. treasure—implying utility.
trouble—vexation and affliction.
7. (Compare Pr 10:20, 21).
heart … not so—not right, or vain.
8, 9. The sacrifice [and] prayer—are acts of worship.
way … followeth … righteousness—denote conduct. God's regard for the worship and deeds of the righteous and wicked respectively, so stated in Ps 50:17; Isa 1:11.
10. (Compare Pr 10:17).
the way—that in which God would have him to go (Pr 2:13; Ps 119:1).
11. Hell—(Ps 16:10).
destruction—or, "Abaddon," the place of the destroyer. All the unseen world is open to God, much more men's hearts.
12. (Compare Pr 9:8).
go unto the wise—to be instructed.
13. maketh … countenance—or, "benefits the countenance."
spirit is broken—and so the countenance is sad.
14. (Compare Pr 10:21, 22). The wise grow wiser, the fools more foolish (Pr 9:9).
15. The state of the heart governs the outward condition.
evil—sad, contrasted with the cheerfulness of a feast.
16. trouble—agitation, implying the anxieties and perplexities attending wealth held by worldlings (Pr 16:18; 1Ti 6:6).
17. dinner—or, "allowance" (2Ki 25:30)—
of herbs—and that the plainest.
and hatred—(compare Pr 10:12, 18).
18. (Compare Pr 14:29; 16:32).
19. The difficulties of the slothful result from want of energy; the righteous find a
plain [and open] way—literally, "a highway," by diligence (1Sa 10:7; Ps 1:3).
20. (Compare Pr 10:1).
21. walketh uprightly—and so finds his joy (Pr 3:6; 10:23).
22. Without counsel—or, "deliberation," implying a wise deference to the opinions of the wise and good, contrasted with rashness.
23. Good advice blesses the giver and receiver.
24. (Compare Col 3:2). Holy purposes prevent sinning, and so its evils.
25. The most desolate who have God's aid have more permanent good than the self-reliant sinner (Pr 2:22; 12:7).
border—or, "boundary for possessions" (Ps 78:54).
26. are pleasant words—that is, pleasing to God (Pr 8:8, 9).
27. (Compare Pr 11:17). Avarice brings trouble to him and his.
hateth gifts—or, "bribes" (Ex 23:8; Ps 15:5), and is not avaricious.
28. (Compare Pr 15:14; 10:11). Caution is the fruit of wisdom; rashness of folly.
29. far … wicked—in His love and favor (Ps 22:11; 119:155).
30. light of the eyes—(Pr 13:9). What gives light rejoiceth the heart, by relieving from anxiety as to our course; so
good report—or, "doctrine" (Isa 28:9; 53:1),
maketh … fat—or, "gives prosperity" (Pr 3:13-17; 9:11). The last clause is illustrated by the first.
31, 32. (Compare Pr 10:17).
reproof of life—which leads to life.
abideth … wise—is numbered among them.
32. refuseth—or, "neglects," "passes by" (Pr 1:25; 4:15).
despiseth … soul—so acts as if esteeming its interests of no value.
33. The fear … wisdom—Wisdom instructs in true piety.
before … humility—(compare Lu 24:26; 1Pe 1:11); opposite (compare Pr 16:18).