Proverbs 19

1 Better is the poor that walks in his integrity than he that is perverse in his lips and is a fool.

2 That the soul be without wisdom is not good, and he that hastens with his feet sins.

3 The foolishness of man perverts his way, and his heart is wroth against the LORD.

4 Wealth makes many friends, but the poor is separated from his neighbour.

5 A false witness shall not go unpunished, and he that speaks lies shall not escape.

6 Many will intreat the favour of the prince, but every man is a friend to him that gives.

7 All the brethren of the poor hate him; how much more shall his friends separate themselves from him? He shall seek their friendship and not find it.

8 He that gets wisdom loves his own soul; he keeps intelligence that he might find that which is good.

9 The false witness shall not go unpunished, and he that speaks lies shall perish.

10 Delight is not suitable for a fool; much less for a slave to have rule over princes.

11 The discretion of a man defers his anger, and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

12 The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion, but his favour is as dew upon the grass.

13 A foolish son is a pain unto his father, and the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping.

14 House and riches are the inheritance from fathers, but the prudent wife is from the LORD.

15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and the negligent soul shall suffer hunger.

16 He that keeps the commandment keeps his own soul, but he that despises his ways shall die.

17 He that gives unto the poor lends unto the LORD, and he will give him his reward.

18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, but do not stir up thy soul to destroy him.

19 A man of great wrath shall suffer the consequences, for even if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.

20 Hear counsel, and receive chastening that thou may be wise in thy old age.

21 There are many thoughts in the heart of man; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD shall stand.

22 Contentment is unto men to show mercy, but it is better to do it unto the poor than to the liar.

23 The fear of the LORD is unto life, and he that has it shall live satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

24 The slothful man hides his hand in his bosom and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will become prudent, and reproving one that has understanding, he will understand knowledge.

26 He that steals from his father and chases away his mother is a son that causes shame and brings reproach.

27 Cease, my son, to hear the teaching that induces one to deviate from the reasons of wisdom.

28 A witness of Belial shall scorn judgment, and the mouth of the wicked shall cover iniquity.

29 Judgments are prepared for scorners and stripes for the back of fools.

Proverbs 19 Commentary

Chapter 19

Verse 1 A poor man who fears God, is more honourable and happy, than a man without wisdom and grace, however rich or advanced in rank. Verse 2 . What good can the soul do, if without knowledge? And he sins who will not take time to ponder the path of his feet. Verse 3 . Men run into troubles by their own folly, and then fret at the appointments of God. Verse 4 . Here we may see how strong is men's love of money. Verse 5 . Those that tell lies in discourse, are in a fair way to be guilty of bearing false-witness. Verse 6 . We are without excuse if we do not love God with all our hearts. His gifts to us are past number, and all the gifts of men to us are fruits of his bounty. Verse 7 . Christ was left by all his disciples; but the Father was with him. It encourages our faith that he had so large an experience of the sorrows of poverty. Verse 8 . Those only love their souls aright that get true wisdom. Verse 9 . Lying is a damning, destroying sin. Verse 10 . A man that has not wisdom and grace, has no right or title to true joy. It is very unseemly for one who is a servant to sin, to oppress God's free-men. Verse 11 . He attains the most true glory who endeavours most steadily to overcome evil with good. Verse 12 . Christ is a King, whose wrath against his enemies will be as the roaring of a lion, and his favour to his people as the refreshing dew. Verse 13 . It shows the vanity of the world, that we are liable to the greatest griefs where we promise ourselves the greatest comfort. Verse 14 . A discreet and virtuous wife is more valuable than house and riches. Verse 15 . A sluggish, slothful disposition makes men poor; it brings them to want. And this applies both to the present life and that which is to come. Verse 16 . If we keep God's word, God's word will keep us from every thing really hurtful. We abuse the doctrine of free grace, if we think that it does away the necessity and advantage of obedience. Those that live at random must die. This truth is clearly taught in words enough to alarm the stoutest sinner. Verse 17 . God has chosen the poor of this world, to be rich in faith, and heirs of his kingdom. Verse 18 . When parents keep under foolish tenderness, they do their best to render children a comfort to them, and happy in themselves. Verse 19 . The spared and spoiled child is likely to become a man of great wrath. Verse 20 . Those that would be wise in their latter end, must be taught and ruled when young. Verse 21 . What should we desire, but that all our purposes may agree with God's holy will? Verse 22 . It is far better to have a heart to do good, and want ability for it, than to have ability for it, and want a heart to it. Verse 23 . Those that live in the fear of God, shall get safety, satisfaction, and true and complete happiness. Verse 24 . Indolence, when indulged, so grows upon people, that they have no heart to do the most needful things for themselves. Verse 25 . A gentle rebuke goes farthest with a man of understanding. Verse 26 . The young man who wastes his father's substance, or makes his aged mother destitute, is hateful, and will come to disgrace. Verse 27 . It is the wisdom of young men to dread hearing such talk as puts loose and evil principles into the mind. Verse 28 . Those are the worst of sinners, who are glad of an opportunity to sin. Verse 29 . The unbelief of man shall not make God's threatenings of no effect. Christ himself, when bearing sins not his own, was not spared. Justice and judgment took hold of our blessed Surety; and will God spare obstinate sinners?

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 8

This chapter gives an account of the introduction of the ark into the temple, 1Ki 8:1-9 of the glory of the Lord filling it, 1Ki 8:10,11 of a speech Solomon made to the people concerning the building of the temple, and how he came to be engaged in it, 1Ki 8:12-21, of a prayer of his he put up on this occasion, requesting, that what supplications soever were made at any time, or on any account, by Israelites or strangers, might be accepted by the Lord, 1Ki 8:22-53, and of his blessing the people of Israel at the close of it, with some useful exhortations, 1Ki 8:54-61, and of the great number of sacrifices offered up by him, and the feast he made for the people, upon which he dismissed them, 1Ki 8:62-66.