Proverbs
Reading edition
By the REV. W. HARRIS
Author of the Commentary on Samuel
[LOGO]
printed in the united states of america
FUNK & WAGNALLS COMPANY
NEW YORK
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction and Preface 1
VERSES CHAPTER I.
Critical Notes 2
1–4 The Author, His Method and His Object 2
5, 6 The Characteristics of a Wise Man 4
7–9 The Root of True Knowledge and the Means of Its Attainment 6
10–19 Enticement to Sin and Exhortation Against Yielding to It 7
20–33 The Cry of Wisdom 11
CHAPTER II.
Critical Notes 18
1–5 Human Understanding and Divine Knowledge 18
6–11 God as a Giver, and Man as a Receiver 21
12–20 The Character of Those from Whom Wisdom Preserves 24
21, 22 The Contrast in the End from the Contrast in the Way 27
CHAPTER III.
Critical Notes 28
1–4 Blessings from the Remembrance of God’s Commandments 29
5, 6 Exhortation to Confidence in God 32
7–12 The Way (1) to Health, (2) to Wealth, (3) to Endurance 34
13–18 Wisdom and Her Gifts 39
19, 20 One of the Proofs of God’s Wisdom 43
21–26 God’s Keeping, the Reward of Man’s Keeping 45
27–29 Doing Justice and Loving Mercy 47
30 Unlawful Strife Forbidden 49
31–35 The Oppressor Not to Be Envied 50
CHAPTER IV.
Critical Notes 52
1–4 The Reciprocal Duties of Parents and Children 52
5–13 The One Thing Needful 54
14–19 Contrasted Paths and Opposite Characters 58
20–27 The Path of Safety 62
CHAPTER V.
Critical Notes 67
1–20 Bitter and Sweet Waters 67
21–23 Three Reasons for Avoiding the Way of Sin 73
CHAPTER VI.
Critical Notes 75
1–5 Self-Imposed Bondage 75
6–11 Industry and Indolence 78
12–19 A Student of Iniquity 81
20–23 The Law of God’s Word 86
24–35 A Special Sin and Its Penalties from Which He Who Keeps God’s Law Will Be Kept 89
CHAPTER VII.
Critical Notes 92
1–4 The Source of True Life, etc. 93
5–27 A Picture Drawn from Life 95
CHAPTER VIII.
Critical Notes 99
1–3 The Nature of Wisdom’s Call 101
4–9 God’s Speech Meeting Man’s Need 103
10, 11 Wisdom Better Than Wealth 107
12, 13 Wisdom and Prudence 109
14–16 The Source of True Power 112
17–21 The Reward of Earnest Seekers 113
22–31 The Personal Wisdom of God 117
32–36 Exhortation Founded on Human Obligations to Divine Wisdom 121
CHAPTER IX.
Critical Notes 124
1–12 Wisdom’s Feast 124
13–18 The Feast of Folly 133
CHAPTER X.
Critical Notes 136
1 Parental Grief and Gladness 137
2 The Comparative Value of Righteousness and Riches 139
3, 4 Divine and Human Providence 142
5 The Use and the Neglect of Opportunities 146
6, 7, & 11 The Way to Present Blessedness and Future Fame 149
8 The Doer and the Talker 151
9, 10 Opposite Characters 153
12 Love and Hatred 156
13, 14 Laying Up to Give Out 158
15, 16 A False and a True Estimate of Life 161
17 The Influence of Example 164
18 Three Degrees of Moral Foolishness 166
19–21 Speech and Silence 168
22 The Source of True Riches 172
23 A Touchstone of Character 174
24 The Inheritance of Fear and Desire 175
25 The Whirlwind and the Sure Foundation 177
26 The Vexatiousness of a Sluggish Servant 179
27 Long Life 179
28 Hopes Realized and Disappointed 180
29 God’s Way, Destruction and Salvation 183
30 The Earth the Possession of the Righteous 187
31 Outlines and Suggestive Comments. (For Homiletics, see pages 158 and 168) 188
32 Acceptable Words 189
CHAPTER XI.
Critical Notes 190
1 Just Weight 190
2 Pride and Humility 192
3 The Infallible Guide 195
4 See Homiletics on chap. x. 2 139
5, 6 Made or Marred by Desires 199
7 The Death of the Wicked 201
8 The Wicked Coming in the Stead of the Righteous 203
9 The Just Man Delivered from the Mouth of the Hypocrite 204
10, 11 The Reward of the Righteous Citizen or Ruler. The Fate of the Unrighteous One 206
12, 13 Contempt and Tale-Bearing 211
14 Helmsmanship 214
15 Outlines and Suggestive Comments. (For Homiletics, see page 75) 216
16 A Gracious Woman 217
17 Mercy and Cruelty 219
18–20 Sowing and Reaping 223
21 Deliverance from a Confederated Opposition 227
22 Precious Things Possessed by Unworthy Owners 229
23 The Desire of the Righteous, and the Expectation of the Wicked 231
24–26 The Liberal and the Niggardly Man 233
27 Diligent Seekers 237
28 Trust in Riches, and Trust in God 238
29 Foolish Home Rulers 240
30 The Winner of Souls 241
31 The Recompense of the Righteous and the Wicked 244
CHAPTER XII.
Critical Notes 246
1 The Love of Knowledge and the Proof of It 246
2 Outlines and Suggestive Comments. (For Homiletics, see pages 29 and 227) 249
3 A Right Desire and the Means of Its Attainment 250
4 A Husband’s Crown 251
5–8 Thoughts and Words and Their Result 254
9 Show and Reality 259
10 Care for Animals and Cruelty to Men 261
11 Satisfaction from Tillage 266
12–14 The Desire of Wicked Men and the Fruit of Righteousness 267
15, 16 Two Examples of Foolishness and Wisdom 271
17–19 & 22 Wounding and Healing 274
20 Joy from Peace 278
21 All Working for the Good of the Righteous 280
23 The Concealment of Knowledge and the Proclamation of Foolishness 283
24 The Reward of Diligence 285
25 Heaviness of Heart and Its Cure 286
26 The Guide and the Seducer 288
27 The Loss of the Slothful, and the Gain of the Diligent 289
28 The Way of Life 291
CHAPTER XIII.
Critical Notes 292
1 The Wise Son and the Scorner 293
2, 3 Keeping the Mouth 294
4 The Disappointment of the Sluggard’s Desires 296
5 A Lawful Hatred 297
6 Overthrow by Sin 299
7, 8 The Law of Compensation 300
9 The Abiding Light 303
10 The Parent of Strife 305
11 The Ways of Growing Rich 306
12 Deferred and Accomplished Hope 308
13 Bound by Law 312
14 Living by Rule 313
15 A Bad Way and a Good Understanding 316
16 Dealing with Knowledge 320
17 A Social Link 321
18 The Way to Honour 323
19 The Abomination of the Fool 324
20 Companionship, Constructive or Destructive 326
21 Pursuit and Repayment 330
22 An Inheritance Incorruptible 331
23 Land and Its Tillers 333
24 The Child and the Rod 334
25 Want and Satisfaction 337
CHAPTER XIV.
Critical Notes 339
1 The House Builder and the House Destroyer 339
2 Fearing and Despising the Lord 342
3 Speech a Rod 343
4 The Clean Crib 344
5 Outlines and Suggestive Comments. (For Homiletics see pages 274 and 379) 345
6 Seeking, but Not Finding 346
7–9 The Fool and the Prudent Man 349
10 Secrets of the Heart 352
11 Outlines and Suggestive Comments. (For Homiletics see page 27) 355
12 What Seems to Be, and What Is 355
13 True and False Mirth 358
14 Satisfaction and Dissatisfaction 360
15–18 Revelations of Character 363
19 A Levelling Law 368
20, 21 An Aggravated Crime, a Questionable Virtue, and a Present Blessing 370
22 A Fatal Error and a Certain Good 372
23 The Profit of Labour 374
24 Wealth, with and without Wisdom 377
25 Deliverance by Truth 379
26 A Sure Refuge 381
27 Outlines and Suggestive Comments. (For Homiletics see pages 381 and 313) 384
28 A King’s True Glory 384
29 Great Understanding 386
30 A Sound Heart 387
31 The Oppressed and Their Oppressors 389
32 The Death of the Righteous and the Wicked 391
33 The Hidden Made Manifest 394
34 National Salvation 395
35 A Wise Servant 398
CHAPTER XV.
Critical Notes 399
1, 2 The Use of Knowledge 399
3 Divine Intelligence 401
4, 5 Outlines and Suggestive Comments. (For Homiletics, see pages 274 and 293) 403
6 Like in Circumstances, but Unlike in Character 405
7 Outlines and Suggestive Comments. (For Homiletics, see page 399) 406
8, 9 Praying and Living 406
10 Out of the Way 409
11 Two Worlds 410
12 Self-Destroyed 412
13 A Cheerful Face and a Broken Spirit 413
14 Outlines and Suggestive Comments. (For Homiletics, see pages 246 and 323) 415
15 The Continual Feast 417
16 A Treasure Without Trouble 419
17 Two Feasts 421
18 Outlines and Suggestive Comments. (For Homiletics, see pages 386 and 400) 423
19 The Way of the Slothful and the Righteous 423
20 Outlines and Suggestive Comments. (For Homiletics, see page 137) 426
21 Opposite Tastes 427
22 Outlines and Suggestive Comments. (For Homiletics, see pages 214 and 590) 429
23 Joy from a Seasonable Word 429
24 The Upward and the Downward Path 430
25 Destruction and Establishment 433
26 Wicked Thoughts and Holy Words 436
27 The Curse of Covetousness 437
28 Studying to Answer 440
29 God Near and Far Off 441
30 Cheerfulness and Good Tidings 444
31–33 How to Give and Take Reproof 446
CHAPTER XVI.
Critical Notes 450
1 The Heart and the Tongue 451
2 The Weigher of Spirits 454
3 The Establishment of Thoughts 456
4 All Things for God 458
5 Heart-Pride 461
6 The Purging of Iniquity 463
7 Pleasing God 466
8 Outlines and Suggestive Comments. (For Homiletics see pages 405 and 421) 468
9 Man Proposes, God Disposes 468
10–15 Kings (For Homiletics on verse 11 see also on page 190) 472
16 Outlines and Suggestive Comments. (For Homiletics see page 107) 477
17 Soul-Preservation 479
18, 19 The End of Pride 482
20, 21 The Fruits of Trust in the Lord 484
22–24 An Unfailing Spring 488
25 Outlines and Suggestive Comments. (For Homiletics see page 355) 490
26 The Mainspring of Human Industry 490
27–30 Different Species of the Same Genus 491
31 A Crown of Glory 493
32 Taking a City and Ruling the Spirit 496
33 The Lot and Its Disposer 499
CHAPTER XVII.
Critical Notes 500
1 See Homiletics on chap xv., 17 421, 422
2 The Foolish Son and the Wise Servant 500
3 The Trier of Hearts 502
4 The Evil Speaker and the Listener 503
5 A Double Revelation 504
6 Father and Children 505
7 A Twofold Incongruity 506
8 The Power of Gifts 507
9 How to Make Friends and How to Separate Them 508
10 Correction Must be Adapted to the Character of the Offender 509
11–13 Phases of Evil 511
14 The Beginning of Strife 512
15 Inversion and Restitution 514
16 Neglected Opportunities 516
17, 18 True Friendship 518
19 Outlines and Suggestive Comments. (For Homiletics, see pages 192, 482, and 512) 522
20, 21 See Homiletics on chap. x. 1, 13, 14, etc., and on verse 24 137, 158, 526
22 The Merry Heart 522
23 Bribery 524
24 The Eyes of a Fool and Those of a Wise Man 526
25 See Homiletics on chap. x. 1 137
26 Smiting the Just 528
27, 28 Two Badges of a Wise Man 531
CHAPTER XVIII.
Critical Notes 533
1, 2 Solitude 533
3 The Short-lived Prosperity of Evil Men 536
4 A Good Man’s Mouth 537
5 See Homiletics on chap. xvii. 15 and 26 514, 528
6–8 Folly and Its Results 539
9 Twin-Brothers 541
10, 11 Two Citadels 542
12 See Homiletics on chap. xi. 2 and xvi. 18 192, 482
13 Answering Before Hearing 544
14 Sickness of Body and Wounds of Soul 546
15 Prudence and Knowledge 549
16 The Influence of Talent 550
17 Cross-Examination 550
18 The Use of the Lot 552
19 Castle Bars 553
20, 21 The Power of the Little Member 555
22 A Twofold Good 557
23 Rich and Poor 558
24 The Obligations of Friendship 559
CHAPTER XIX.
Critical Notes 561
1 The Better Part 561
2, 3 Ignorance Leading to Sin 562
4 Suggestive Comment. (For Homiletics see page 370) 567
5, 9 The End of a False Tongue 567
6, 7 Two Proofs of Human Selfishness 568
8, 9 See Homiletics on verses 2 and 5, and on chaps. viii. 36, and ix. 12 121, 124, 562, 567
10 Incongruities 569
11, 12 Two Kings 571
13, 14, 18 Domestic Sorrow, and How to Avoid it 573
15 See Homiletics on chap. vi. 9, 10 79
16 A Double Keeping 575
17 The Best Investment 576
18–20 Relative Duties 578
21 Many Plans Working to One End 579
22 Poverty of Heart and Poverty of Circumstance 580
23 See Homiletics on chaps. x. 27, xiv. 26, xviii. 10 179, 381, 542
24 See Homiletics on chap. xxvi. 12–16 720
25, 29 See Homiletics on chap. xvii. 10 509
26–29 Possibilities of Human Depravity 581
CHAPTER XX.
Critical Notes 582
1 Strong Drink 582
2, 3 See Homiletics on chaps. xiv. 29, xvi. 32, xix. 12 386, 497, 571
4 See Homiletics on chap. x. 4 142
5 Deep Sea Dredging 584
6–12 An Universal Challenge, a General Rule, and a Rare Virtue 585
10 For Homiletics see also chap. xi. 1 190
13 For Homiletics see chap. vi. 10, 11 78
14 Bargaining 588
15 See Homiletics on chaps. iii. 14, 15, viii. 11, xii. 14, xviii. 20, 21 39, 107, 267, 555
16 Necessary Security 589
17 Bad Bread 589
18 Thought Before Action 590
19 See Homiletics on chaps. x. 19, xi. 13 168, 211
20 An Unnatural Child and a Natural Law 591
21 See Homiletics, chaps. xiii. 11, xxi. 5, 7 306, 609
22 The Recompenser of Evil 592
23 See Homiletics on chap. xi. 1 190
24 God over All 593
25 Religious Vows 595
26, 28 Pillars of Government 596
27 The Candle of the Lord 597
29 The Glory of Youth and Age 604
30 Pain as a Preventive of Pain 605
CHAPTER XXI.
Critical Notes 605
1 The King of Kings 606
2 See Homiletics on chap. xvi. 2 454
3 The More Acceptable Sacrifice 607
4 The Ploughing of the Wicked 608
5–7, 17 Two Ways to Wealth 609
8 Two Ways 611
9, 19 An Angry Woman 613
10 The Desire of the Wicked 614
11 Instruction for Those Who Need It 615
12 God’s Surveillance of the Wicked 616
13 The Cry of the Poor 618
14 The Pacification of Anger 619
15 The Joy of Righteousness 619
16 Like to Like 621
18 The Ransom of the Righteous 622
19, 20 See Homiletics on verses 5, 7, and 9 609, 613
21 A Noble Pursuit and a Rich Prize 624
22 A Wise Man and a Mighty City 625
23 See Homiletics on chap. xiii. 2–3 294
24 A Name of Degrees 627
25, 26 The Sword of the Sluggard 628
27 The Sacrifice of the Wicked 630
28 Outlines and Suggestive Comments. (For Homiletics see page 275) 631
29 The Face and the Way 631
30, 31 Counsel Against the Lord 632
CHAPTER XXII.
Critical Notes 633
1 Better Than Gold 634
2 Levelling Down and Levelling Up 636
3 See Homiletics on chap. xiv. 16 364
4 See Homiletics on chap. iii. 1–18 24, 34, 39
5, 6 A Hedged-Up Way 637
7 An Analogy Affirmed and a Contrast Suggested 639
8 A Worthless Seed and a Rotten Staff 641
9 The Bountiful Eye 642
10 A Man Who Ought to Dwell Alone 643
11 A Road to Royal Friendship 644
12 The Preservation of Knowledge 645
13 An Active Imagination 647
14 A Deep Pit 649
15 A Fact Stated and a Duty Inferred 650
16 Oppression and Servility 651
17–21 Trust from Knowledge, and Blessedness from Trust 652
22, 23 God the Spoiler of the Spoiler 656
24, 25 An Infectious and Dangerous Disease 657
26, 27 Suretyship and Its Dangers 658
28 See Homiletics on chap. xxiii. 10 666
29 The Destiny of the Diligent (See also Homiletics on page 285) 659
CHAPTER XXIII.
Critical Notes 660
1–3 The Temptations of the Table 661
4, 5 The Deceitfulness of Riches 662
6–8 Feigned Generosity 664
9 The Morally Incurable 665
10, 11 The Rights of Private Property 666
12–28 Parental Duties and Parental Joys 668
29–35 The Drunkard’s Picture 673
CHAPTER XXIV.
Critical Notes 675
1–6 House Building 675
7 A False Estimate and a True One 677
8, 9 See Homiletics on chap. vi. 12–19 81
10 The Day of Adversity 678
11, 12 Positive Punishment for a Negative Crime 680
13, 14 Honey and Wisdom 682
15, 16 A Social Ambush 683
17, 18 The Fall of an Enemy 684
19, 20 See Homiletics on verse 1, and on chap. xiii. 9 303, 675
21, 22 Rule and Reverence 685
23–26 Impartiality of Truth 687
27 Plan and Patience 688
28, 29 An Uncalled-For Testimony 689
30–34 The Sluggard’s Vineyard 690
CHAPTER XXV.
Critical Notes 693
1–3 God’s Mysteries and Man’s Research 694
4, 5 See Homiletics on chap. xx. 26 and 28 596
6, 7 Self-promotion 696
8–11 Two Ways of Treating an Enemy 697
12 Giving and Taking 699
13 See Homiletics on chap. xiii. 17 321
14 Clouds Without Rain 701
15 Forbearance and Persuasiveness 702
16 Use and Abuse 703
17 Obtrusiveness 704
18 See Homiletics on chap xii. 18 274
19, 20 Misplaced Confidence and Unseasonable Songs 704
21, 22 A Blessed Recompense 706
23 The Way to Treat a Backbiter 708
24 See Homiletics on chap. xxi. 9 613
25 Cold Water and Good News 709
26 The Evil Result of Moral Cowardice 711
27 Too Much of a Good Thing 712
28 A Defenceless City 713
CHAPTER XXVI.
Critical Notes 714
1 A Gift Wrongly Bestowed 714
2 The Causeless Curse 715
3–11 A Low Level 716
12–16 Self-Conceit and Indolence 720
17 Needless Interference 721
18–22 See Homiletics on chaps. xvii. 14, xviii. 6–8 513, 539
23–28 Counterfeit Friendship 721
CHAPTER XXVII.
Critical Notes 723
1 Divine Property 724
2 Self Praise 725
3, 4 Wrath and Envy 726
5, 6, 9–11, 14 Tests of Friendship 728
7 Want of Appetite 731
8 A Man and His Place 732
12 See Homiletics on chap. xiv. 15 364
13, 15, 16 See Homiletics on chaps. xix. 13, xx. 16 573, 589
17 A Social Whetstone 733
18 The Reward of Service 735
19 A Correct Likeness 735
20 Insatiability 737
21 A Crucible for Character 738
22 See Homiletics on chaps. xvii. 10, and xix. 26–29 509, 581
23–27 Moral Farming 739
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Critical Notes 740
1 Cowardice and Courage 741
2 The Penalty of Revolt 742
3 The Most Inexcusable Oppressor 743
4, 5 Lawkeepers and Lawbreakers 744
6 See Homiletics on chap. xix. 1 561
7 See Homiletics on chap. x. 1 137
8 See Homiletics on chap. xiii. 22 332
9 See Homiletics on chap. xv. 8, 9 406
10 See Homiletics on chap. xxvi. 23–28 721
11 Wisdom in Wealth and Poverty 746
12 See Homiletics on chap. xi. 10–11 206
13 Confession and Forgiveness 747
14 See Homiletics on chaps. xii. 15, xiv. 15–18 271, 365
15–17 Vice and Virtue in High Places 749
18 See Homiletics on chaps. x. 9–10, xi. 3 154, 195
19 See Homiletics on chap. xii. 11 266
20, 22 See Homiletics on chaps. xiii. 11, xxi. 5 306, 609
21 See Homiletics on chap. xvii. 23 524
23 See Homiletics on chap. xxvii. 5, 6 728
24 Robbing Parents 751
25a See Homiletics on chap. xiii. 10 305
25b, 26 Self-Confidence 752
27 See Homiletics on chaps. xi. 24–26, xiv. 31 234, 389
28 See Homiletics on chap. xi. 10–11 206
CHAPTER XXIX.
Critical Notes 754
1 Reproof and Destruction 754
2 See Homiletics on chap. xi. 10–11 206
3 See Homiletics on chaps. x. 1, v. 1–20 67, 137
4 See Homiletics on chap. xvi. 10–15 472
5 See Homiletics on chap. xxvi. 23–28 721
6 A Snare and a Song 755
7 See Homiletics on chaps. xiv. 31, xxiv. 11, 12 389, 680
8 The Citizen’s Enemy and the Citizen’s Friend 756
9 See Homiletics on chaps. xxiii. 9, xxvi. 3–11 665, 716
10 Soul-Seekers and Soul-Haters 757
11 See Homiletics on chap. x. 19–21 168
12 A Moral Cancer in a King’s Court 759
13 See Homiletics on chap. xxii. 22–23 636
14, 15 See Homiletics on chaps. xvi. 10–15, xiii. 24, xix. 13, 14, 18 355, 472, 573
16 Victory Not with the Majority 760
17 See Homiletics on chap. xix. 13, 14, 18 573
18 Divine Revelation and Human Obedience 761
19, 21 Masters and Servants 763
20, 22 See Homiletics on chap. xiv. 17 and 29 363, 386
23 See Homiletics on chaps. xi. 2, xvi. 18–19 192, 482
24 Criminal Partnerships 763
25, 26 Safety from a Snare 765
27 See Homiletics on chap. xxviii. 4 744
CHAPTER XXX.
Critical Notes 767
1–9 The Sources of True Humility 768
5, 6 The Word of God 770
7–9 The Middle Way 772
10 See Homiletics on chap. xxiv. 28, 29 689
11–17 Four Manifestations of Ungodliness 774
18–20 Depths of Wickedness 776
21–23 Burdens Grievous to be Borne 776
24–28 Lowly Teachers 777
29–31 Kingly Qualities 778
32, 33 See Homiletics on chap. xvii. 14 513
CHAPTER XXXI.
Critical Notes 779
1–9 Divine Commands from a Mother’s Lips 780
10–31 A Model Matron 781
HOMILETIC COMMENTARY
ON
PROVERBS
INTRODUCTION AND PREFACE.
The Hebrew word for proverb (mashal) means a comparison. Hence it includes more than we generally understand by the English word, viz., a pithy sentence expressing in a few words a well-known or obvious truth. When books were few it was most natural that observations on life and manners should be compressed into the smallest possible compass: hence proverbial teaching has been employed from the most remote antiquity. It is highly probable that all proverbial sayings were at first literally comparisons, as this would tend to fix them more indelibly upon the memory. But the word by degrees came to express that which we now understand it to signify.
Although a few more lengthy discourses are found in this book, it consists mainly of a few short proverbial sentences, often illustrated and enforced by most striking metaphors. It has been almost universally received by both Jewish and Christian writers as the inspired production of Solomon. The most convincing proof of its canonicity is the fact that the New Testament contains many quotations from it. Compare Prov. iii. 11, 12 with Heb. xii. 5, 6; Prov. iii. 34, with Jas. iv. 6; Prov. x. 12, with 1 Pet. iv. 8; Prov. xi. 31 (Sept.), with 1 Pet. iv. 18; Prov. xxii. 9 (Sept.), with 2 Cor. ix. 7; Prov. xxv. 21, 22, with Rom. xii. 20; Prov. xxvi. 11, with 2 Pet. ii. 22; Prov. xxvii. 1, with Jas. iv. 13, 14. But, were these wanting, its superiority to every other book of a similar character would constitute a most weighty internal evidence of its Divine inspiration. Moses Stuart says of it: “All the heathen moralists and proverbialists joined together cannot furnish us with one such book as that of the Proverbs.” And Wordsworth remarks: “The Proverbs of Solomon come from above, and they also look upward. They teach that all true wisdom is the gift of God, and is grounded on the fear of the Lord. They dwell with the strongest emphasis on the necessity of careful vigilance over the heart, which is manifest only to God, and on the duty of acting, in all the daily business and social intercourse of life, with habitual reference to the only unerring standard of human practice, His will and Word. In this respect the Book of Proverbs prepared the way for the preaching of the Gospel, and we recognise in it an anticipation of the apostolic precept: ‘Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as unto the Lord.’ ” Dr. Guthrie considered that “the high character which Scotsmen earned in by-gone years was mainly due to their early acquaintance with the Book of Proverbs.” (Sunday Magazine, Oct., 1868, p. 15.)
Although the greater part of the book was doubtless compiled by Solomon during his life, chapters xxv.—xxix. were not copied out until the days of Hezekiah, and the last two chapters are assigned in the book itself to other authors, of whom we know nothing. It seems startling at first sight that a man whose character we know from other parts of the Holy Scripture to have been marred by so many serious defects, should be the author of an inspired book, but Dr. Arnot remarks on this point that “practical lessons on some subjects come better through the heart of the weary, repentant king than through a man who had tasted fewer pleasures, and led a more even life. . . . Not a line of Solomon’s writings tends to palliate Solomon’s sins. . . . The glaring imperfections of the man’s life have been used as a dark ground to set off the lustre of that pure righteousness which the Spirit has spoken by his lips.” It is evident from the most cursory study of its contents that this book is rather ethical than doctrinal. The following Commentary has for its main object the setting forth the great moral lessons contained in it in a homiletic form. It does not pretend to be a critical Commentary, although the latest and best criticisms have been quoted where they seemed to throw any new light upon the text. But the book of Proverbs is not easy to treat homiletically. Prof. Lockler, the author of the expositions on the works of Solomon in Dr. Lange’s Commentary, says,—“A theological and homiletical exposition of the book of Proverbs has difficulties to contend with which exist, in an equal degree in but few books of the Old Testament, and in none in quite the same form. . . . To treat the book homiletically and practically, in so far as regards only brief passages, is rendered more difficult by the obscurity of many single sentences; and in so far as it attempts to embrace large sections, by the unquestionable lack of fixed order and methodical structure.”
The main DIVISIONS of the Book of Proverbs are:—I. A series of discourses on the excellency and advantages of wisdom, and the destructive character of sin (ch. i.—ix.). II. A collection of unconnected maxims on various subjects (ch. x.—xxii. 16). III. Short discussions on a variety of subjects (ch. xxii. 17—xxiv. 22), with a brief appendix of maxims (ch. xxiv. 23, 24). IV. The collection of Solomon’s proverbs made in the time of Hezekiah (ch. xxv.—xxix.). V. A supplement containing the words of Agur (ch. xxx.) and of King Lemuel (ch. xxxi.). [Annotated Paragraph Bible.]