Proverbios 14:28

28 En la multitud del pueblo está la gloria del rey, pero en la falta de pueblo está la ruina del príncipe.

Proverbios 14:28 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 14:28

In the multitude of people [is] the king's honour
For it is a sign of a good and wise government, of clemency and righteousness being exercised, of liberty and property being enjoyed, of peace, plenty, and prosperity; which encourage subjects to serve their king cheerfully, and to continue under his reign and government peaceably; and which invites others from different parts to come and settle there also; by which the strength and glory of a king are much increased. This is true of the King of kings, of Jesus Christ, who is King of saints; his honour and glory, as Mediator, lies in a large number of voluntary subjects, made "willing" to serve him "in the day of [his] power" upon them, as numerous as the drops of the morning "dew", ( Psalms 110:3 ) ; such as he had in the first times of the Gospel, both among the Jews and among the Gentiles; and as he will have more especially in the latter day, when those prophecies shall be fulfilled in ( Isaiah 60:4-8 ) ; and so this is interpreted of the King Messiah, in an ancient writing ^F2 of the Jews; but in the want of people [is] the destruction of the prince;
or, "the consternation" ^F3 of him; if his people are destroyed in wars his ambition or cruelty has led him to; or they are driven out from his kingdom by persecution or oppression; hence follows a decay of trade, and consequently of riches; lack of cultivation of land, and so want of provision: in course of time there is such a decrease, that, as there are but few to carry on trade and till the land, so to fight for their prince, and defend his country; wherefore, when attacked by a foreign power, he is thrown into the utmost consternation, and is brought to destruction. This will be the case of the prince of darkness, the man of sin, antichrist; who, though however populous he may be, or has been, ruling over tongues, people, and nations, yet before long he will be deserted by them; one nation after another will fall off from him; they and their kings will hate him, make him bare and desolate, and burn him with fire, ( Revelation 17:15 Revelation 17:16 ) . Some render it, "the consternation of leanness" ^F4; such consternation as causes leanness in a king.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F2 Zohar in Exod. fol. 67. 3, 4.
F3 (ttxm) "formidat princeps", Tigurine version; "consternatio", Cocceius, Michaelis, Schultens.
F4 "Consternatio macici", Gussetius, p. 785. "consternatio tabifica", Schultens; "contritio maciei", Gejerus; "terror tenuitatis", Mercerus, Gersom.

Proverbios 14:28 In-Context

26 En el temor del SEÑOR hay confianza segura, y a los hijos dará refugio.

27 El temor del SEÑOR es fuente de vida, para evadir los lazos de la muerte.

28 En la multitud del pueblo está la gloria del rey, pero en la falta de pueblo está la ruina del príncipe.

29 El lento para la ira tiene gran prudencia, pero el que es irascible ensalza la necedad.

30 Un corazón apacible es vida para el cuerpo, mas las pasiones son podredumbre de los huesos.