13 Blessed is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
and there was found in it a poor wise man, who by his wisdom delivered the city; but no man remembered that poor man. Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength; but the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. The words of the wise are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroyeth much good.
And king Solomon was greater than all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom. And all the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.
Get wisdom, get intelligence: forget [it] not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall keep thee; love her, and she shall preserve thee. The beginning of wisdom [is], Get wisdom; and with all thy getting get intelligence. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee; she shall bring thee to honour when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thy head a garland of grace; a crown of glory will she bestow upon thee.
And now, sons, hearken unto me, and blessed are they that keep my ways: hear instruction and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and obtaineth favour of Jehovah;
And the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon in connection with the name of Jehovah, and came to prove him with enigmas. And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bore spices and gold in very great abundance, and precious stones; and she came to Solomon, and spoke to him of all that was in her heart. And Solomon explained to her all she spoke of: there was not a thing hidden from the king that he did not explain to her. And when the queen of Sheba saw all Solomon's wisdom, and the house that he had built, and the food of his table, and the deportment of his servants, and the order of service of his attendants, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up to the house of Jehovah, there was no more spirit in her. And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thine affairs, and of thy wisdom; but I gave no credit to the words, until I came and mine eyes had seen; and behold, the half was not told me: in wisdom and prosperity thou exceedest the report that I heard. Happy are thy men! happy are these thy servants, who stand continually before thee, who hear thy wisdom! Blessed be Jehovah thy God, who delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel! Because Jehovah loves Israel for ever, therefore did he make thee king, to do judgment and justice.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 3
Commentary on Proverbs 3 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 3
Pr 3:1-35. The study of truth commended. God must be feared, honored, and trusted, and filial submission, under chastisement, exhibited. The excellence of wisdom urged and illustrated by its place in the divine counsels. Piety enforced by a contrast of the destiny of the righteous and the wicked.
1. law [and] commandments—all divine instructions (see on Ps 119:1 and Ps 119:4).
let thine heart keep—or sincerely observe (Pr 4:13; 5:2).
2. length … life—often promised as blessings (Ps 21:4; 91:16).
peace—includes prosperity (Ps 125:5).
add—abound to thee.
3. mercy and truth—God's faithfulness to His promises is often expressed by these terms (Ps 25:10; 57:3). As attributes of men, they express integrity in a wide sense (Pr 16:6; 20:28).
bind … write … heart—outwardly adorn and inwardly govern motives.
4. favour—grace, amiability (Pr 22:11; Ps 45:2); united with this,
a good understanding—(Compare Margin), a discrimination, which secures success.
in the sight … man—such as God and man approve.
5. Trust … heart—This is the center and marrow of true wisdom (Pr 22:19; 28:25). The positive duty has its corresponding negation in the admonition against self-confidence.
6. ways—(Ps 1:1).
acknowledge—by seeking His wise aid (Pr 16:3; Ps 37:5; Jer 9:23, 24).
direct—literally, "make plain" (compare Heb 12:13).
7. (Compare Pr 27:2; Ro 12:16).
fear … evil—reverentially regarding His law.
8. It—This conduct.
health—(Compare Margin).
to thy navel—for all the organs of nourishment.
marrow—(Compare Margin).
bones—frame of body. True piety promotes bodily health.
9, 10. (Compare Pr 11:25; Ex 23:19; De 18:4; Isa 32:8; 2Co 9:13).
10. presses—or wine fats (Joe 2:24; 3:13).
11, 12. The true intent of afflictions considered; they do not contradict the assertion of the blessed state of the pious (Job 5:17; Heb 12:5, 6).
12. he delighteth—or receiveth as denoting reconciliation regarding the offense which produced chastisement.
13. findeth—literally, "reaches," or "obtains by seeking."
getteth—literally, "draws out," as metals by digging.
14, 15. The figure of Pr 3:13 carried out.
it—that is, wisdom.
merchandise of silver—acquisition by trading.
fine gold—dug gold, solid as a nugget.
15. rubies—gems, or pearls.
16, 17. Wisdom personified as bringing the best blessings (compare Mt 6:33; 1Ti 4:8).
17. Her ways—such as she directs us to take.
18. Wisdom allegorized as
a tree of life—(Ge 2:9; 3:22) whose fruit preserves life, gives all that makes living a blessing.
19, 20. The place of wisdom in the economy of creation and providence commends it to men, who, in proportion to their finite powers, may possess this invaluable attribute, and are thus encouraged by the divine example of its use to seek its possession.
21. sound wisdom—(compare Pr 2:7).
let … eyes—that is, these words of instruction.
22-24. assign reasons in their value for happiness and ornament, guidance and support in dangers, both when waking and sleeping.
25. Be not—or, "You shall not be."
sudden fear—what causes it (Pr 1:27), any unlooked-for evil (Ps 46:3; 91:12; 1Pe 3:14).
desolation—(Pr 1:27).
26. The reason; such as are objects of God's favor.
be thy confidence—literally, "in thy confidence," in the source of thy strength (compare Na 3:9, for the same construction, Hebrew).
27, 28. Promptly fulfil all obligations both of justice and charity (compare Jas 2:15, 16).
29, 30. Do not abuse confidence and avoid litigation.
31. oppressor—or man of mischief. The destiny of successful evildoers warns against desiring their lot (Ps 37:1, 2, 35, 36).
32-35. Reasons for the warning.
froward—(Pr 2:15).
secret … righteous—in their communion (Am 3:7).
33. curse … wicked—It abides with them, and will be manifested.
34. The retribution of sinners, as in Ps 18:26.
35. inherit—as a portion.
shame—or disgrace, as opposed to honor.
promotion—(Compare Margin); as honor for well-doing makes men conspicuous, so fools are signalized by disgrace.