{"collection":"Bible & Christianity","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/bib/cmt/jfb/pro028.htm","path":"bib/cmt/jfb/pro028.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/bib/cmt/jfb/pro028.htm","text":"A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]\nA bad conscience makes men timid; the righteous are alone truly bold (Pro 14:26; Psa 27:1).\nAnarchy producing contending rulers shortens the reign of each.\nbut by a man . . . prolonged--or, \"by a man of understanding--that is, a good ruler--he who knows or regards the right, that is, a good citizen, shall prolong (his days).\" Good rulers are a blessing to the people. Bad government as a punishment for evil is contrasted with good as blessing to the good.\nA poor man, &c.--Such, in power, exact more severely, and so leave subjects bare.\nThey that forsake . . . wicked--Wrongdoers encourage one another.\n(Compare Joh 7:17). Ignorance of moral truth is due to unwillingness to know it.\n(Compare Pro 10:6). Riches cannot compensate for sin, nor the want of them affect integrity.\n(Compare Pro 17:25).\nriotous men--or, \"gluttons\" (Pro 23:20-21).\nusury . . . unjust gain--(Compare Margin). The two terms, meaning nearly the same, may denote excessive interest. God's providence directs the proper use of wealth.\n(Compare Pro 15:8; Pro 21:27).\nhearing--that is, obeying. God requires sincere worshippers (Psa 66:18; Joh 4:24).\n(Compare Pro 26:27).\nA poor but wise man can discover (and expose) the rich and self-conceited.\ngreat glory--or, cause for it to a people, for the righteous rejoice in good, and righteousness exalts a nation (Pro 14:34).\na man . . . hidden--that is, the good retire, or all kinds try to escape a wicked rule.\n(Compare Psa 32:3-5). Concealment of sin delivers none from God's wrath, but He shows mercy to the humble penitent (Psa 51:4).\nfeareth--that is, God, and so repents.\nhardeneth his heart--makes himself insensible to sin, and so will not repent (Pro 14:16; Pro 29:1).\nThe rapacity and cruelty of such beasts well represent some wicked men (compare Psa 7:2; Psa 17:12).\nThe prince . . . understanding--that is, He does not perceive that oppression jeopards his success. Covetousness often produces oppression, hence the contrast.\ndoeth violence . . . blood, &c.--or, that is oppressed by the blood of life (Gen 9:6), which he has taken.\nto the pit--the grave or destruction (Pro 1:12; Job 33:18-24; Psa 143:7).\nstay him--sustain or deliver him.\n(Compare Pro 10:9; Pro 17:20). Double dealing is eventually fatal.\n(Compare Pro 10:4; Pro 20:4).\nvain persons--idle, useless drones, implying that they are also wicked (Pro 12:11; Psa 26:4).\nmaketh haste . . . rich--implying deceit or fraud (Pro 20:21), and so opposed to \"faithful\" or reliable.\nrespect of persons-- (Pro 24:23). Such are led to evil by the slightest motive.\n(Compare Pro 28:20).\nevil eye--in the general sense of Pro 23:6, here more specific for covetousness (compare Pro 22:9; Mat 20:15).\npoverty . . . him--by God's providence.\n(Compare Pro 9:8-9; Pro 27:5). Those benefited by reproof will love their monitors.\n(Compare Mat 15:4-6). Such, though heirs, are virtually thieves, to be ranked with highwaymen.\nof a proud heart--literally, \"puffed up of soul\"--that is, self-confident, and hence overbearing and litigious.\nmade fat--or, \"prosperous\" (Pro 11:25; Pro 16:20).\n(Compare Pro 3:6-8).\nwalketh wisely--that is, trusting in God (Pro 22:17-19).\n(Compare Pro 11:24-26).\nhideth his eyes--as the face (Psa 27:9; Psa 69:17), denotes inattention.\nThe elevation of the wicked to power drives men to seek refuge from tyranny (compare Pro 28:12; Pro 11:10; Psa 12:8).","title":"A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments: Proverbs: Proverbs Chapter 28","type":"page"}