Faithful counsel I. To GIVE IT MAY REQUIRE THE HIGHEST MORAL COURAGE . It may be in the teeth of the interest of the adviser; it may turn a friend into an enemy; it may inflict a keen smart. Nothing but the highest regard to truth on the one hand, to love on the other, may be sufficient to nerve for the task. II. THE TEMPORARY DISPLEASURE OF A FRIEND IS TO BE FACED RATHER THAN THAT HE SHOULD SUFFER LASTING EVIL . To save a soul from... read more
(See homily on Proverbs 27:5 , Proverbs 27:6 .)—C. read more
Proverbs 28:15. As a roaring lion and a ranging bear Always cruel and greedy in their natures, and especially so when they are hungry and want prey; in which case the lions roar, and bears range about for it; so is a wicked ruler Instead of being a nursing father, and a faithful and tender shepherd, as he ought to be, he is a cruel and insatiable oppressor of his subjects; over the poor people Whom he particularly mentions to aggravate this wicked ruler’s sin, in devouring them whom the... read more
Proverbs 28:16 . The prince that wanteth understanding, &c. The tyranny or oppression of a prince is a manifest sign of great folly, because it alienates from him the hearts of his people, in possessing which his honour, safety, and riches consist; and often causes the shortening of his days, either through God’s cutting him off by some sudden stroke, or through the violence of men who have been injured by him, and are exasperated against him. But he that hateth covetousness Which is... read more
Proverbs 28:17. A man that doeth violence, &c. That sheds any man’s blood, or takes away his life by any unjust proceedings; shall flee to the pit Shall speedily be destroyed, being pursued by divine vengeance, the horrors of a guilty conscience, and the avengers of blood; let no man stay him None should desire or endeavour to save him from his deserved punishment. read more
Proverbs 28:18. Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved Namely, from destruction, because God hath undertaken and promised to protect him; but he that is perverse in his ways Hebrew, in two ways, of which see on Proverbs 28:6; shall fall at once Once for all, so as he shall never rise more. read more
Proverbs 28:19-20. He that tilleth, &c. See note on Proverbs 12:11. A faithful man Hebrew, אישׁ אמונות , a man of truths, who deals truly and justly in all his bargains and transactions with men; shall abound with blessings Shall have many blessings from God, and be well spoken of by men; but he that maketh haste to be rich More than God allows him; he whose eager desires cause him to pursue riches by right or wrong, and who, therefore, is unfaithful and unjust in his... read more
Proverbs 28:21. To have respect of persons is not good It is a fundamental error in the administration of justice, and that which will lead men to many transgressions, to consider the quality of the parties concerned more than the merits of the cause; for a piece of bread that man will transgress When a man hath once accustomed himself to take bribes, a very small advantage will make him sell justice, and his own soul into the bargain. The design of this proverb is to warn men to take... read more
Proverbs 28:22. He that hasteth to be rich That is pushed on by his desires to get riches by right or wrong; hath an evil eye Is uncharitable to persons in want, and envious toward those who get any thing besides himself; and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him And, consequently, that he shall need the pity and help of others, which he cannot reasonably expect, either from God or men, having so hardened his heart against others in misery. read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 28:23
He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour. The word rendered "afterwards" ( postea , Vulgate), אַחֲרַי ( acharai ), creates a difficulty. The suffix cannot be that of the first person singular, which would give no sense; hence most interpreters see in it a peculiar adverb attached to the following verb, "shall afterwards find." Delitzsch. Lowenstein, end Nowack take it for a noun with the termination -ai , and translate, "a man that goeth backward," "a... read more