Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Book: Proverbs
Chapters: 1 ·
2 ·
3 ·
4 ·
5 ·
6 ·
7 ·
8 ·
9 ·
10 ·
11 ·
12 ·
13 ·
14 ·
15 ·
16 ·
17 ·
18 ·
19 ·
20 ·
21 ·
22 ·
23 ·
24 ·
25 ·
26 ·
27 ·
28 ·
29 ·
30 ·
31 ·
The subject of this
Book may be thus stated
By an enlargement
On the opening verses. 1. The
Proverbs of
Solomon, the son of
David,
King of
Israel. 2. Which treat of the knowledge of
Wisdom, of
Piety towards
God, of instruction and moral
discipline, of the understanding
Wise and prudent counsels. 3.
Which treat of the attainment of instruction in
Wisdom, which
Wisdom is to be shown in the conduct of
Life, and consists in
Righteousness with regard to our fellow-creatures. 4. Which
treat of the giving to the simple sagacity to discover what is
right,
By supplying them with just principles, and correct views
of virtue and vice; and to the young
Man knowledge,
So that he
need not err through ignorance; and discretion,
So that
By
pondering
Well these precepts, he may not err through obstinacy.
Take the
Proverbs of other nations, and we shall find great
Numbers founded upon selfishness, cunning, pride, injustice,
national contempt, and animosities. The principles of the
Proverbs of
Solomon are
Piety,
Charity,
Justice, benevolence,
and true prudence. Their universal purity proves that they are
the
Word of God.