This was in effect said before, Proverbs 15:16, and is here repeated, partly because of the great importance and usefulness of this truth, and partly because men are very hardly brought to a serious belief of it. read more
Deviseth his way; considers and proposeth to himself what he will do. Directeth his steps; overruleth and disposeth all their designs and actions as he pleaseth, and not as they list. read more
A divine sentence, Heb. divination, which is sometimes taken in a good sense for prudence, as it is Isaiah 3:2. A great sagacity and piercing judgment to discern dubious and difficult cases. Is; or, should be; for the verb is wanting in the Hebrew, and this may be supplied as well as is. And he seems not so much to speak of the matter of fact, as if it were thus in all kings, which is notoriously and confessedly untrue, as of the duty of kings, in whom wisdom is a necessary qualification. For... read more
Are the Lord’s; are God’s work, as it follows; made by his direction and appointment, so as no man can corrupt or alter them without violating God’s rights and authority, and incurring his displeasure. The weights, Heb. the stones, which they then used as weights. See Poole "Proverbs 11:1". read more
It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; they should not only abstain from all wicked practices, but abhor them both in their own persons, and in all their servants and subjects. It is too plain that he speaks not of the common practice, but of the duty of kings, as on Proverbs 16:10. And such affirmative expressions are oft used in Scripture to express men’s duty only, as 1 Corinthians 6:19, your body is (i.e. should be) the temple, &c.; and 1 Corinthians 7:32, careth, &c.... read more
All wise and good kings do, and all kings should, delight in employing such counsellors, judges, and officers under them, as are just and faithful in their counsels, and sentences, and actions, because such bring great honour and advantage to them. read more
Is as messengers of death; is as terrible as if many messengers were sent to denounce the sentence of death, and to execute it. Will pacify it; will use all prudent and lawful means to pacify it. read more
In the light of the king’s countenance is life; his favour and smiling countenance is most sweet and refreshing, especially to him that was under a sentence of death, Proverbs 16:14. His favour is as a cloud of the latter rain; as acceptable as those clouds which bring the latter rain, whereby the fruits are filled and ripened a little before the harvest; of which see Deuteronomy 11:14; Job 29:23; James 5:7. read more
How much better! it is inexpressibly and unconceivably better, as this phrase implies, Psalms 31:19; Psalms 36:7; Psalms 92:5, &c. Is it to get wisdom than gold, because it brings a man more certain, and complete, and lasting comfort and advantage. read more
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Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 16:7
By disposing their hearts to kindness towards him. read more