Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. CHAPTER 24
Pr 24:1-34. 1, 2. (Compare Pr 23:3, 17; Ps 37:1). For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief. 2. studieth—meditateth.
talk … mischief—Their expressed purposes are to do evil. Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: 3, 4. (Compare Pr 14:1; Isa 54:14).
house—including the family. And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. 4. by knowledge … riches—(Pr 8:18; 21:20).
A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. 5, 6. The general statement (Ec 9:16, 18) is specially illustrated (compare Pr 21:22; Ps 144:1).
For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellers there is safety.
Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate. 7. (Compare Pr 14:16).
in the gate—(Compare Pr 22:22). He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person. 8. So called even if he fails to do evil.
The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men. 9. Same thought varied.
If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. 10. Literally, "If thou fail in the day of straits (adversity), strait (or, small) is thy strength," which is then truly tested.
If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; 11, 12. Neglect of known duty is sin (Jas 4:17).
ready—literally, "bowing down" to be slain—that is, unjustly. God's retributive justice cannot be avoided by professed ignorance. If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste: 13, 14. As delicious food whets the appetite, so should the rewards of wisdom excite us to seek it.
So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off. 14. reward—literally, "after part," the proper result (compare Pr 23:18; Ps 37:37, 38).
Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place: 15, 16. The plots of the wicked against the good, though partially, shall not be fully successful (Ps 37:24); while the wicked, falling under penal evil, find no help.
For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. 16. seven times—often, or many (Pr 6:16, 31; 9:1).
Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: 17, 18. Yet let none rejoice over the fate of evildoers, lest God punish their wrong spirit by relieving the sufferer (compare Pr 17:5; Job 31:29).
Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked; 19, 20. (Ps 37:1, 38; 18:28).
For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out. 20. candle—or, "prosperity"; it shall come to an end (Pr 13:9; 20:20).
My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: 21, 22. A warning against impiety and resistance to lawful rule (Ro 13:1-7; 1Pe 2:17).
meddle … change—(Compare Margin), literally, "mingle not yourself," avoid the society of restless persons. For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both? 22. their calamity, &c.—either what God and the king inflict, or what changers and their company suffer; better the first.
These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment. 23. These … wise—literally, "are of the wise," as authors (compare "Psalms of David," Hebrew). "These" refers to the verses following, Pr 24:24-34.
to have respect—literally, "to discern faces," show partiality, He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him: 24, 25. of which an example is justifying the wicked, to which is opposed, rebuking him, which has a blessing.
But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.
Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer. 26. kiss his lips—love and obey, do homage (Ps 2:12; So 8:1).
right answer—literally, "plain words" (compare Pr 8:9), opposed to deceptive, or obscure. Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house. 27. Prepare … in the field—Secure, by diligence, a proper support, and then build; provide necessaries, then comforts, to which a house rather pertained, in a mild climate, permitting the use of tents.
Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips. 28. Do not speak even truth needlessly against any, and never falsehood.
Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work. 29. Especially avoid retaliation (Mt 5:43-45; Ro 12:17).
I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; 30, 31. A striking picture of the effects of sloth.
And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. 32-34. From the folly of the sluggard learn wisdom (Pr 6:10, 11).
Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man. |
