Annotations upon the Holy Bible. Vol. I wherein the sacred text is inserted, and various readings annex'd, together with parallel scriptures, the more difficult terms in each verse are explained, seeming contradictions reconciled, questions and doubts resolved, and the whole text opened / by the late reverend and learned divine Mr. Matthew Poole.

CHAP. XIX.

1 * 1.1 BEtter is the poor that walketh in his integri∣ty a 1.2, than he that is perverse in his lips b 1.3, and is a fool c 1.4.

2 Also that the soul d 1.5 be without knowledg e 1.6, it is not good f 1.7: and he that hasteth with his feet g 1.8, sin∣neth.

3. The foolishness of man perverteth his way h 1.9, and his heart fretteth against the LORD i 1.10.

4 * 1.11 Wealth maketh many friends, but the poor is separated from his neighbour k 1.12.

5 * 1.13 A false witness shall not be † 1.14 unpunished l 1.15, and he that speaketh lies m 1.16 shall not escape.

6 Many will entreat the † 1.17 favour of the prince n 1.18, and every man is a friend o 1.19 to † 1.20 him that giveth gifts.

7 * 1.21 All the brethren p 1.22 of the poor do hate him q 1.23, how much more do his friends r 1.24 go far from him? he pursueth them with words s 1.25, yet they are wanting to him t 1.26.

8 He that getteth † 1.27 wisdom, loveth his own soul u 1.28, he that keepeth understanding x 1.29 shall find good y 1.30.

9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish z 1.31.

10 * 1.32 Delight a 1.33 is not seemly for a fool, much less * 1.34 for a servant c 1.35 to have rule over princes d 1.36. * 1.37

11 * 1.38 The ‖ 1.39 discretion of a man deferreth his anger, and it is his glory to pass over a transgression e 1.40.

12 * 1.41 The kings wrath is as † 1.42 the roaring of a lion, but his favour is as † 1.43 dew upon the grass.

13 * 1.44 A foolish son is the calamity of his father, * 1.45 and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping f 1.46.

14 House and riches are the inheritance of fa∣thers, and * 1.47 a prudent wife is from the LORD g 1.48.

15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep h 1.49, and an idle soul shall suffer * 1.50 hunger.

16 * 1.51 He that keepeth the commandment i 1.52, keep∣eth his own soul, but he that despiseth his ways k 1.53, shall die.

17 * 1.54 He that hath pity on the poor, lendeth unto the LORD l 1.55, and ‖ 1.56 that which he hath given will he pay him again.

18 * 1.57 Chasten thy son while there is hope m 1.58, and let not thy soul spare n 1.59 ‖ 1.60 for his crying o 1.61.

19 A man of great wrath p 1.62 shall suffer punishment; for if thou deliver him q 1.63, yet thou must † 1.64 do it again r 1.65.

20 Hear counsel, receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in * 1.66 thy latter end s 1.67.

21 * 1.68 There are many devices in a mans heart t 1.69, ne∣vertheless the counsel of the Lord u 1.70 that shall stand x 1.71.

22 The desire of a man y 1.72 is his kindness, and a poor man z 1.73 is better than a liar a 1.74.

23 The fear of the LORD tendeth to life, and he that hath it shall abide satisfied b 1.75, he shall not be visi∣ted with evil c.

24 * 1.76 A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom d 1.77, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again e 1.78.

25 * 1.79 smite a scorner f 1.80, and the simple g 1.81 † 1.82 will be∣ware, and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledg h 1.83.

26 He that wasteth his father i 1.84, and chaseth away his mother k 1.85, is a son that causeth shame, and bring∣eth reproach l 1.86.

27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that cau∣seth to err from the words of knowledg m 1.87.

28 † 1.88 An ungodly witness scorneth judgmen n 1.89, and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity o 1.90.

29 Judgments are prepared p 1.91 for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Chap. 28. 6.
• a 1.2

  Who is upright in his words and actions.
• b 1.3

  That useth to speak wickedly, which proceeds from a wicked heart, and is usually attended with an evil Life.
• c 1.4

  Is an Hypocrite, or a wick∣ed man, for this is opposed to the upright man in the former clause; yea, though he be rich, which is implied from the same clause.
• d 1.5

  Which is the principal cause and director of all mens acti∣ons.
• e 1.6

  Without Wisdom or Prudence to discern his way, and what, and how, he ought to act in his several cases and concernments.
• f 1.7

  It is very evil and pernicious.
• g 1.8

  That rashly and headily rusheth into actions without serious consideration. So two vices are here censured, the want of Knowledg, and the neg∣lect or di•…•…use of Knowledg in a mans actions.
• h 1.9

  Either 1. enticeth him to sin. Or rather 2. Crosseth and blas•…•…eth his designs and enterprises, and brings losses and miseries upon him.
• i 1.10

  He ascribes his unhappiness not to his own sin and folly, which is the true cause of it, but to God and his Providence, against which he unjustly murmurs.
• * 1.11

  Ch. 14. 20.
• k 1.12

  Is disowned and forsaken by those who are most obliged to help him.
• * 1.13

  Ver. 9. Exod. 23. 1. Deut. 19. 16, 19. Ch. 6. 19. & 21. 28.
• † 1.14

  Heb. held in∣nocent.
• l 1.15

  Though he escape the observation and punishment of men, yet he shall not avoid the judgment of God.
• m 1.16

  That accustometh him∣self to lying, either in judgment, or in common conversation.
• † 1.17

  Heb. face.
• n 1.18

  Or, as others, of the liberal or bountiful man: which comes to the same thing: for Kings were antiently called Benefactors, Luk. 22. 25.
• o 1.19

  Not sincerely, as daily experience shews, but in shew or profession, or in the outward expressions of it, whereby they may oblige him.
• † 1.20

  Heb. a man of gifts.
• * 1.21

  Ch. 14. 20.
• p 1.22

  His nearest and dearest Relations, who are oft called Brethren in Scripture, by a common Synecdoche.
• q 1.23

  i. e. Despise and shun him, as men do any thing which they hate, and as the following words explain it.
• r 1.24

  His former companions, who in his prosperi∣ty professed friendship to him.
• s 1.25

  Earnestly imploring their pity. Or, he urgeth (Heb. pursueth) their words, i. e. alledgeth their former promises, and professions of Friendship. Or, without any supple∣ment, he seeketh words, as the Preacher sought to find out acceptable words, Eccles. 12. 10. wherewith he might prevail or move them to pity.
• t 1.26

  Heb. they are not, either 1. His Friends are not, to wit, what they pretended to be, friends to him. Or 2. Their words are vain, and without effect, there is no reality in them.
• † 1.27

  Heb. an heart.
• u 1.28

  Or, loveth himself, because he procures great good to his Soul, or to himself, as it follows, as sinners on the contrary are said to hate their Souls, Prov. 29. 24. because they bring mischief upon them.
• x 1.29

  That observeth and carefully practiseth its precepts, as that Phrase is commonly used.
• y 1.30

  Shall have great benefit by it, both for his conduct in this Life, and for his happiness in the next.
• z 1.31

  This was said before, v. 5. and seems to be here repeated, either for its great use and weight in humane society, and to shew how much God abhors such practices; or to shew the pernicious effects of this sin, and consequently of all other sins, one eminent kind being put for all the rest, and this in opposition to the good effects of Wisdom or Piety, which he declared in the foregoing verse.
• * 1.32

  Eccl. 10. 6.
• a 1.33

  To live in Pleasure, and Plenty, and outward Glory.
• * 1.34

  Ch. 30. 22. Eccl. 10. 7.
• c 1.35

  Who is of a servile condition and disposition, not much differing from a Fool, who is a servant to his Lusts, and wholly unfit to rule other men.
• d 1.36

  i. e. Over men of better quality than himself: for servants are commonly ignorant, and when they are advanced they grow insolent, and presumptuous, and intolerable.
• * 1.37

  b It doth not become him, nor suit with him, partly because Prospe∣rity corrupts even wise men, and makes fools mad, and partly be∣cause it gives him more opportunity to discover his folly, and to do mischief both to himself and others. He implies that a rod or punishment is fitter for him than pleasure, as is noted, Prov. 10. 13. & 26. 3.
• * 1.38

  Chap. 14. 29.
• ‖ 1.39

  Or, prudence.
• e 1.40

  This is opposed to the perverse judgment of worldly men who account it •…•…olly and stupidity, not quickly to resent a provocation, and a dishonour and reproach not to revenge it.
• * 1.41

  Ch. 16. 1•…•…, 15. & 2•…•…. 2. & 28. 15.
• † 1.42

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• † 1.43

  〈…〉〈…〉▪
• * 1.44

  Chap. 10. 1. & 15. 20. & 17. 21, 25.
• * 1.45

  Ch. 21. •…•…▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 & 27. 15.
• f 1.46

  Are like rain continually dropping upon an house which by degrees marreth the House and Houshold stuff, and driveth the in∣habitants out of it. He compareth her to a continual dropping, be∣cause of that inseparable Union and necessary cohabitation of Hus∣band and Wife together, notwithstanding such contentions.
• * 1.47

  Ch. 18. 22.
• g 1.48

  Is vouchsafed to a man by a singular providence of God, who is the only Searcher and Ruler of hearts, exactly discerning who are prudent or pious, in which even wise mens judgments are com∣monly mistaken, and inclining the minds and hearts of persons one towards another.
• h 1.49

  Maketh a man careless and negligent, and like one asleep in his business, whereby he cometh to want, as it follows.
• * 1.50

  Chap. 1•…•…▪ •…•…▪ & 20. 13.
• * 1.51

  Luk. 11. 28.
• i 1.52

  The commands of God called by way of eminency the command∣ment, as the Word is oft used Emphatically for the word of God, as hath been noted before.
• k 1.53

  Either 1. His own ways, by not ta∣king heed to his ways, so as to order his Conversation aright. Or 2. The ways of God, who is understood in the former clause.
• * 1.54

  Mat. 10 42. & 25. 40. 2 Cor. 9. 6, 7.
• l 1.55

  Who takes what is done to them as done to himself, because it is done to them whom God, as to this particular, hath put in his own stead, to be his receivers, and whom God hath in a peculiar manner commended to the care and charity of all other men.
• ‖ 1.56

  Or, his deed.
• * 1.57

  Chap. 13. 24. & 23. 13.
• m 1.58

  Before custom in sin, and thy indulgence hath made him hard-hearted and incorrigible.
• n 1.59

  Forbear not to give him due and necessary correction.
• ‖ 1.60

  Or, to his 〈◊〉〈◊〉, or, to cause him to die.
• o 1.61

  Which o•…•…t stirs up a foolish and pernici∣ous pity in Parents towards them. This word, with some small difference in the points, is used in this sense, Isa. 14. 11. Or, as it is in the margent, to his destruction, intimating that this is a cruel pity, and a likely way to expose him to that death threatned to stubborn Sons, Deut. 21. 18, 21. But this clause is, and may be, rendred otherwise, yet, or but do not lift up thy soul (which signifies a vehement desire, Deut. 24. 15. Psal. 25. 1. Ier. 44. 14. let not thy passion, or eager desire of chastening him, transport thee so far as) to cause him to die, i. e. use moderation in this work.
• p 1.62

  Or, He who is of great wrath, of strong passions. Which may be understood either 1. More particularly, of a Son of such a tem∣per, who is very impatient of correction, and breaks forth into vi∣olent passions upon that occasion; and then the following words contain the Parents duty, which is to take care to punish him, be∣cause if he spare him that time for his passion, he must do so again and again, the same cause returning upon him, and so must whol∣ly forbear to chasten him. Or 2. More generally, of any man of a fierce and furious temper and carriage, and then the next words declare only the event, by his great and repeated provocations he will bring punishment upon himself either from God or Men.
• q 1.63

  If either a Parent, or another person provoked by him, forbear to punish him. He turneth his speech to the party, as is usual in Scripture, and in other Authors.
• † 1.64

  Heb. add.
• r 1.65

  Heb. thou must add, to wit, to deliver him again and again, as oft as he shall offend: or, thou wilt add or encrease, to wit, his wrath, which thou shouldst subdue.
• * 1.66

  Psal. 55. 23.
• s 1.67

  Before thy Death come. Which he adds not exclusively, as if he ought not to be wise before, but Emphatically to shew, that how foolishly soever he had spent his former and younger years, it highly concerned him to be wise before it was too late, or before Death came.
• * 1.68

  Job. 23. 13. Psal. 33. 10, 11. Chap. 16. 1, 9. Isa. 46. 10. Heb. 6. 17.
• t 1.69

  Understand out of the opposite Clause, which shall not stand but be disappointed.
• u 1.70

  His eternal (and unchangeable and most wise Decree, which oft-times contradicts, and always over-rules the designs and purposes of men.
• x 1.71

  i. e. Be certainly fulfilled, as this Phrase is used, Ier. 44. 28, 29. and elsewhere.
• y 1.72

  Either 1. of any or every Man. All men desire, and it is desirable to be in a capacity of being kind and bountiful to others, whereby they gain love and honour, and many other great ad∣vantages. Or 2. of the poor man, expressed in the next Clause. The hearty will or desire of being kind or liberal to others in ne∣cessity is all the kindness which a poor Man can shew, and is ac∣cepted by God, and should be owned by men as a real kindness. Compare 2 Cor. •…•…. 12. Or 3. of the rich Man, as may be gathered from the opposition of this Man to the poor Man in the following Clause; such Ellipses being very common in this Book, as hath been noted again and again. So the sense may be this, There be a sort of rich men all whose kindness and charity consists in good desires and well-wishes to Persons in misery, saying to them, depart in p•…•…ace, be ye warmed and filled, but not giving them those things which are needful, as it is expressed, Iam. 2. 16. And this sense seems to agree very well with the following Clause. But being singular in this ex∣position, I submit it to the judicious Reader.
• z 1.73

  Who is not able to give what he desires to do.
• a 1.74

  Than a rich Man who feeds the poor with good words and fair promises, but doth not perform what he pretends, and is able to do.
• b 1.75

  shall want nothing, and shall be fully contented with God's fa∣vour and blessing. With any destructive affliction.
• * 1.76

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 1•…•…▪ 1•…•…. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 13. 15.
• d 1.77

  Either to keep it warm in cold Weather: Or, to give it rest, being loth to oppress it with the labour of any action. It is a sarca∣stical Hyperbole.
• e 1.78

  To wit, to feed himself; he expects that the Meat should drop into his Mouth.
• * 1.79

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 21. 11.
• f 1.80

  An obstinate and impudent Transgressor, who rejects and scorns all admonitions, and therefore is to be taught with blows.
• g 1.81

  Who sin through ignorance, and imprudence, and infirmity, be∣ing possibly drawn to sin by the scorners evil counsel or example.
• † 1.82

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 will be 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• h 1.83

  A verbal reproof will be more effectual for his reformation than the severest punishments will be to a scorner.
• i 1.84

  i. e. His Fathers estate by unjust or riotous courses.
• k 1.85

  Cau∣seth her to avoid and abhor his presence and society, and to go from the House where he is.
• l 1.86

  Both to himself and to his Parents and Family. But this Verse may very well be rendred otherwise, the last words being made the subject of the Proposition, as is usual in Scripture, A Son that causeth shame and bringeth reproach (upon himself and his friends by wicked ways) wasteth his Fathers (estate and health and comfort) and chaseth or driveth away his Mother. These are the effects of his wickedness.
• m 1.87

  If thou hast formerly, yet do not now any longer hearken to those false Doctrines or evil counsels which tend to withdraw thee from the belief or practice of God's holy Word.
• † 1.88

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. a wit∣•…•… of Beli•…•…l.
• n 1.89

  Hath no reverence to the place of Justice, nor to the pre∣sence of God there, nor to that Sacred and Solemn Work of exe∣cuting Judgment, but in spight of all gives in a false Testimony
• o 1.90

  Uttereth wickedness with as great greediness, and delight, and ease, as they swallow down delicious Meats and Drinks. Compare Iob 15. 16.
• p 1.91

  Either by men, or at least by God; although they be deferred for a time, yet they are treasured up for them, and shall infallibly be inflicted upon them.