Proverbs 28

¹The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

Pr 28:1-28. 1. A bad conscience makes men timid; the righteous are alone truly bold (Pr 14:26; Psa 27:1).

²For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

2. Anarchy producing contending rulers shortens the reign of each. but 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.

³A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

3. A poor man, &c.--Such, in power, exact more severely, and so leave subjects bare.

⁴They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

4. They that forsake ... wicked--Wrongdoers encourage one another.

⁵Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.

5. (Compare Joh 7:17). Ignorance of moral truth is due to unwillingness to know it.

⁶Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

6. (Compare Pr 10:6). Riches cannot compensate for sin, nor the want of them affect integrity.

⁷Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.

7. (Compare Pr 17:25). riotous men--or, “gluttons” (Pr 23:20, 21).

⁸He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

8. usury ... unjust gain--(Compare Margin). The two terms, meaning nearly the same, may denote excessive interest. God’s providence directs the proper use of wealth.

⁹He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

9. (Compare Pr 15:8; 21:27). hearing--that is, obeying. God requires sincere worshippers (Psa 66:18; Joh 4:24).

¹⁰Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.

10. (Compare Pr 26:27).

¹¹The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

11. A poor but wise man can discover (and expose) the rich and self-conceited.

¹²When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.

12. great glory--or, cause for it to a people, for the righteous rejoice in good, and righteousness exalts a nation (Pr 14:34). a man ... hidden--that is, the good retire, or all kinds try to escape a wicked rule.

¹³He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

13. (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).

¹⁴Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

14. feareth--that is, God, and so repents. hardeneth his heart--makes himself insensible to sin, and so will not repent (Pr 14:16; 29:1).

¹⁵As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

15. The rapacity and cruelty of such beasts well represent some wicked men (compare Psa 7:2; 17:12).

¹⁶The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

16. The prince ... understanding--that is, He does not perceive that oppression jeopards his success. Covetousness often produces oppression, hence the contrast.

¹⁷A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

17. doeth violence ... blood, &c.--or, that is oppressed by the blood of life (Ge 9:6), which he has taken. to the pit--the grave or destruction (Pr 1:12; Job 33:18-24; Psa 143:7). stay him--sustain or deliver him.

¹⁸Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

18. (Compare Pr 10:9; 17:20). Double dealing is eventually fatal.

¹⁹He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.

19. (Compare Pr 10:4; 20:4). vain persons--idle, useless drones, implying that they are also wicked (Pr 12:11; Psa 26:4).

²⁰A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

20. maketh haste ... rich--implying deceit or fraud (Pr 20:21), and so opposed to “faithful” or reliable.

²¹To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.

21. respect of persons--(Pr 24:23). Such are led to evil by the slightest motive.

²²He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

22. (Compare Pr 28:20). evil eye--in the general sense of Pr 23:6, here more specific for covetousness (compare Pr 22:9; Mt 20:15). poverty ... him--by God’s providence.

²³He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.

23. (Compare Pr 9:8, 9; 27:5). Those benefited by reproof will love their monitors.

²⁴Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.

24. (Compare Mt 15:4-6). Such, though heirs, are virtually thieves, to be ranked with highwaymen.

²⁵He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

25. of a proud heart--literally, “puffed up of soul”--that is, self-confident, and hence overbearing and litigious. made fat--or, “prosperous” (Pr 11:25; 16:20).

²⁶He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

26. (Compare Pr 3:6-8). walketh wisely--that is, trusting in God (Pr 22:17-19).

²⁷He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

27. (Compare Pr 11:24-26). hideth his eyes--as the face (Psa 27:9; 69:17), denotes inattention.

²⁸When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.

28. The elevation of the wicked to power drives men to seek refuge from tyranny (compare Pr 28:12; 11:10; Psa 12:8).