Pr 28:1-28.

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

      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.

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

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

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

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

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

      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.

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

      10. (Compare Pr 26:27).

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

      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.

      13. (Compare Ps 32:3-5). Concealment of sin delivers none from God's wrath, but He shows mercy to the humble penitent (Ps 51:4).

      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).

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

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

      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 Ps 143:7).
      stay him--sustain or deliver him.

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

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

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

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

      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.

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

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

      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).

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

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

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

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