Jamieson, Fausset & Brown :: Commentary on Proverbs 28

The Book of Proverbs

Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET

CHAPTER 28

      1. A bad conscience makes men timid; the righteous are alone truly bold ( Pro 14:26 Psa 27:1 ).

      2. Anarchy producing contending rulers shortens the reign of each.
      but by a man. . . prolonged--or, "by a man of understanding--that is, a good ruler--he who knows or regards the right, that is, a good citizen, shall prolong (his days)." Good rulers are a blessing to the people. Bad government as a punishment for evil is contrasted with good as blessing to the good.

      3. A poor man, &c.--Such, in power, exact more severely, and so leave subjects bare.

      4. They that forsake. . . wicked--Wrongdoers encourage one another.

      5. (Compare Jhn 7:17 ). Ignorance of moral truth is due to unwillingness to know it.

      6. (Compare Pro 10:6 ). Riches cannot compensate for sin, nor the want of them affect integrity.

      7. (Compare Pro 17:25 ).
      riotous men--or, "gluttons" ( Pro 23:20, 21 ).

      8. usury. . . unjust gain--(Compare Margin). The two terms, meaning nearly the same, may denote excessive interest. God's providence directs the proper use of wealth.

      9. (Compare Pro 15:8 21:27 ).
      hearing--that is, obeying. God requires sincere worshippers ( Psa 66:18 Jhn 4:24 ).

      10. (Compare Pro 26:27 ).

      11. A poor but wise man can discover (and expose) the rich and self-conceited.

      12. great glory--or, cause for it to a people, for the righteous rejoice in good, and righteousness exalts a nation ( Pro 14:34 ).
      a man. . . hidden--that is, the good retire, or all kinds try to escape a wicked rule.

      13. (Compare Psa 32:3-5 ). Concealment of sin delivers none from God's wrath, but He shows mercy to the humble penitent ( Psa 51:4 ).

      14. feareth--that is, God, and so repents.
      hardeneth his heart--makes himself insensible to sin, and so will not repent ( Pro 14:16 29:1 ).

      15. The rapacity and cruelty of such beasts well represent some wicked men (compare Psa 7:2 17:12 ).

      16. The prince. . . understanding--that is, He does not perceive that oppression jeopards his success. Covetousness often produces oppression, hence the contrast.

      17. doeth violence. . . blood, &c.--or, that is oppressed by the blood of life ( Gen 9:6 ), which he has taken.
      to the pit--the grave or destruction ( Pro 1:12 Job 33:18-24 Psa 143:7 ).
      stay him--sustain or deliver him.

      18. (Compare Pro 10:9 17:20 ). Double dealing is eventually fatal.

      19. (Compare Pro 10:4 20:4 ).
      vain persons--idle, useless drones, implying that they are also wicked ( Pro 12:11 Psa 26:4 ).

      20. maketh haste. . . rich--implying deceit or fraud ( Pro 20:21 ), and so opposed to "faithful" or reliable.

      21. respect of persons-- ( Pro 24:23 ). Such are led to evil by the slightest motive.

      22. (Compare Pro 28:20 ).
      evil eye--in the general sense of Pro 23:6, here more specific for covetousness (compare Pro 22:9 Mat 20:15 ).
      poverty. . . him--by God's providence.

      23. (Compare Pro 9:8, 9 27:5 ). Those benefited by reproof will love their monitors.

      24. (Compare Mat 15:4-6 ). Such, though heirs, are virtually thieves, to be ranked with highwaymen.

      25. of a proud heart--literally, "puffed up of soul"--that is, self-confident, and hence overbearing and litigious.
      made fat--or, "prosperous" ( Pro 11:25 16:20 ).

      26. (Compare Pro 3:6-8 ).
      walketh wisely--that is, trusting in God ( Pro 22:17-19 ).

      27. (Compare Pro 11:24-26 ).
      hideth his eyes--as the face ( Psa 27:9 69:17 ), denotes inattention.

      28. The elevation of the wicked to power drives men to seek refuge from tyranny (compare Pro 28:12 11:10 Psa 12:8 ).