5 A man taking a portion above his neighbour, Spreadeth a net for his own steps.
and thy maid-servant saith, Let, I pray thee, the word of my lord the king be for ease; for as a messenger of God so `is' my lord the king, to understand the good and the evil; and Jehovah thy God is with thee.' And the king answereth and saith unto the woman, `Do not, I pray thee, hide from me the thing that I am asking thee;' and the woman saith, `Let, I pray thee, my lord the king speak.' And the king saith, `Is the hand of Joab with thee in all this?' And the woman answereth and saith, `Thy soul liveth, my lord, O king, none `doth turn' to the right or to the left from all that my lord the king hath spoken; for thy servant Joab he commanded me, and he put in the mouth of thy maid-servant all these words; in order to bring round the appearance of the thing hath thy servant Joab done this thing, and my lord `is' wise, according to the wisdom of a messenger of God, to know all that `is' in the land.' And the king saith unto Joab, `Lo, I pray thee, thou hast done this thing; and go, bring back the young man Absalom.' And Joab falleth on his face to the earth, and doth obeisance, and blesseth the king, and Joab saith, `To-day hath thy servant known that I have found grace in thine eyes, my lord, O king, in that the king hath done the word of his servant.' And Joab riseth and goeth to Geshur, and bringeth in Absalom to Jerusalem, and the king saith, `Let him turn round unto his house, and my face he doth not see.' And Absalom turneth round unto his house, and the face of the king he hath not seen.
By his lips doth a hater dissemble, And in his heart he placeth deceit, When his voice is gracious trust not in him, For seven abominations `are' in his heart.
And, having watched `him', they sent forth liers in wait, feigning themselves to be righteous, that they might take hold of his word, to deliver him up to the rule and to the authority of the governor, and they questioned him, saying, `Teacher, we have known that thou dost say and teach rightly, and dost not accept a person, but in truth the way of God dost teach;
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 29
Commentary on Proverbs 29 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 29
Pr 29:1-27.
1. hardeneth … neck—obstinately refuses counsel (2Ki 17:14; Ne 9:16).
destroyed—literally, "shivered" or "utterly broken to pieces."
without remedy—literally, "without healing" or repairing.
2. (Compare Pr 11:10; 28:28).
in authority—(Compare Margin), increased in power.
3. (Compare Pr 4:6, 7; 10:1, &c.).
4. by judgment—that is, righteous decisions, opposed to those procured by gifts (compare Pr 28:21), by which good government is perverted.
land—for nation.
5. (Compare Pr 26:28).
spreadeth … feet—By misleading him as to his real character, the flatterer brings him to evil, prepared by himself or others.
6. In—or, "By"
the transgression—he is brought into difficulty (Pr 12:13), but the righteous go on prospering, and so sing or rejoice.
7. considereth—literally, "knows," as Ps 1:6.
the cause—that is, in courts of justice (compare Pr 29:14). The voluntary neglect of it by the wicked (Pr 28:27) occasions oppression.
8. Scornful men—those who contemptuously disregard God's law.
bring—(Compare Margin), kindle strife.
turn away wrath—that is, "abate wrath."
9. contendeth—that is, in law.
whether … laugh—The fool, whether angry or good-humored, is unsettled; or referring the words to the wise man, the sense is, that all his efforts, severe or gentle, are unavailing to pacify the fool.
10. bloodthirsty—(Compare Margin), murderers (Ps 5:6; 26:9).
hate, &c.—(Pr 1:11; Ge 3:4).
seek … soul—that is, to preserve it.
11. (Compare Pr 12:16; 16:32).
mind—or, "spirit," for anger or any ill passion which the righteous restrain.
12. His servants imitate him.
13. (Compare Pr 22:2).
deceitful man—literally, "man of vexations," an exactor.
the Lord … their eyes—sustains their lives (1Sa 14:27; Ps 13:3); that is, both depend on Him, and He will do justice.
14. (Compare Pr 20:28; 25:5). Such is the character of the King of kings (Ps 72:4, 12).
15. (Compare Pr 13:24; 23:13).
16. (Compare Pr 29:2, 12; Ps 12:1-8).
shall see … fall—and triumph in it (Ps 37:34-38; 58:10, 11).
17. (Compare Pr 29:3, 15; Pr 19:18).
give thee rest—peace and quiet (compare Pr 29:9).
18. no vision—instruction in God's truth, which was by prophets, through visions (1Sa 3:1).
people perish—(Compare Margin), are deprived of moral restraints.
keepeth the law—has, and observes, instruction (Pr 14:11, 34; Ps 19:11).
19. A servant—who lacks good principle.
corrected—or discovered.
will not answer—that is, will not obey.
20. (Compare Pr 21:5).
hasty in … words?—implying self-conceit (Pr 26:12).
21. become his son—assume the place and privileges of one.
22. (Compare Pr 15:18). Such are delighted by discord and violence.
23. (Compare Pr 16:18; 18:12).
honour … spirit—or, "such shall lay hold on honor" (Pr 11:16).
24. hateth … soul—(Compare Pr 8:36).
heareth cursing—(Le 5:1), risks the punishment, rather than reveal truth.
25. The fear … snare—involves men in difficulty (compare Pr 29:6).
shall be safe—(Compare Margin; Pr 18:10).
26. (Compare Margin; Ps 27:8). God alone will and can do exact justice.
27. (Compare Pr 3:32). On last clause, compare Pr 29:16; Ps 37:12.