4 The king by justice establisheth the land; But he that exacteth gifts overthroweth it.
The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, His throne shall be established for ever.
And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly; thou hast not kept the commandment of Jehovah thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would Jehovah have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.
And Solomon sat upon the throne of David his father; and his kingdom was established greatly.
And he did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah: he departed not all his days from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, wherewith he made Israel to sin. There came against the land Pul the king of Assyria; and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand. And Menahem exacted the money of Israel, even of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and stayed not there in the land.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of thy throne: Lovingkindness and truth go before thy face.
The king's strength also loveth justice; Thou dost establish equity; Thou executest justice and righteousness in Jacob.
It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; For the throne is established by righteousness.
A king that sitteth on the throne of judgment Scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of Jehovah of hosts will perform this.
Thus saith Jehovah, In an acceptable time have I answered thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee; and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to raise up the land, to make them inherit the desolate heritages:
Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by injustice; that useth his neighbor's service without wages, and giveth him not his hire; that saith, I will build me a wide house and spacious chambers, and cutteth him out windows; and it is ceiled with cedar, and painted with vermilion. Shalt thou reign, because thou strivest to excel in cedar? Did not thy father eat and drink, and do justice and righteousness? then it was well with him. He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. Was not this to know me? saith Jehovah. But thine eyes and thy heart are not but for thy covetousness, and for shedding innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do it.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Proverbs 29
Commentary on Proverbs 29 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 29
Pro 29:1
Here,
Pro 29:2
This is what was said before, ch. 28:12, 28.
Pro 29:3
Both the parts of this verse repeat what has been often said, but, on comparing them together, the sense of them will be enlarged from each other.
Pro 29:4
Here is,
Pro 29:5
Those may be said to flatter their neighbours who commend and applaud that good in them (the good they do or the good they have) which really either is not or is not such as they represent it, and who profess that esteem and that affection for them which really they have not; these spread a net for their feet.
Pro 29:6
Here is,
Pro 29:7
It is a pity but that every one who sues sub formâ pauperis-as a pauper, should have an honest cause (they are of all others inexcusable if they have not), because the scripture has so well provided that it should have a fair hearing, and that the judge himself should be of counsel, as for the prisoner, so for the pauper.
Pro 29:8
See here,
Pro 29:9
A wise man is here advised not to set his wit to a fool's, not to dispute with him, or by contending with him to think either of fastening reason upon him or gaining right from him: If a wise man contend with a wise man, he may hope to be understood, and, as far as he has reason and equity on his side, to carry his point, at least to bring the controversy to a head and make it issue amicably; but, if he contend with a foolish man, there is no rest; he will see no end of it, nor will he have any satisfaction in it, but must expect to be always uneasy.
Pro 29:10
Note,
Pro 29:11
Note,
Pro 29:12
Note,
Pro 29:13
This shows how wisely the great God serves the designs of his providence by persons of very different tempers, capacities, and conditions in the world, even,
Pro 29:14
Here is,
Pro 29:15
Parents, in educating their children, must consider,
Pro 29:16
Note,
Pro 29:17
Note,
Pro 29:18
See here,
Pro 29:19
Here is the description of an unprofitable, slothful, wicked servant, a slave that serves not from conscience, or love, but purely from fear. Let those that have such servants put on patience to bear the vexation and not disturb themselves at it. See their character.
Pro 29:20
Solomon here shows that there is little hope of bringing a man to wisdom that is hasty either,
Pro 29:21
Note,
Pro 29:22
See here the mischief that flows from an angry, passionate, furious disposition.
Pro 29:23
This agrees with what Christ said more than once,
Pro 29:24
See here what sin and ruin those involve themselves in who are drawn away by the enticement of sinners.
Pro 29:25
Here,
Pro 29:26
See here,
Pro 29:27
This expresses not only the innate contrariety that there is between virtue and vice, as between light and darkness, fire and water, but the old enmity that has always been between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent, Gen. 3:15.