Proverbs 1

Proverbs 1:1

THe Proverbs] That is, grave, short, usefull, and famous sentences, that men may search out the true sense, and they may receive the deeper impression in them.

Proverbs 1:2

To know wisdom] To teach us to know the truth of God. This verse is for theoricall knowledge, as the next is for practicall.

Proverbs 1:3

To receive the instruction of wisdom] That we may learn how to carry our selves wisely, and justly toward all men.

and equitie] Heb. equities: That is, all kinde of equitie, or equitie in all causes, 2 Thessalonians 2:17. Hebrews 13:21.

Proverbs 1:4

To give subtiltie to the simple] To such as have no discretion to rule themselves, and like children are ready to beleeve every thing, Eph. 4. 14.

discretion] Or, advisement.

Proverbs 1:5

A wise man will hear] Or, That the wise man may hear, &c. As he sheweth, that these Proverbs containing the effect of religion, as touching manners and doctrine, do appertain to the simple people: so doth he declare, that the same is also necessary for them that are wise and learned.

unto wise counsels] To guide others, as ship-masters do at sea: for so the word signifies.

Proverbs 1:6

To understand] Or, Make to understand.

To understand a proverb] Or, To make others understand.

the interpretation] Or, an eloquent speech.

Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge] Job 28:28. Psalms 111:10. Chap. 9. 10. As the foundation is the beginning of the house, and upholds all the rest.

the beginning] Or, the principall part.

fools despise wisdom and instruction] Psalms 14:1.

Proverbs 1:8

of thy father] Parents should instruct their children in the fear of God, before they go out into the wide world, (for they may think masters speak for their own profit) and children observe what their parents have so taught them, when they are gone from them, Jere. 35. 8.

of thy mother] Mothers instruction must be hearkned to, as well as the fathers, Chap. 30. 17. and 31. 1.

Proverbs 1:9

an ornament] Heb. an adding.

and chains about thy neck] Nothing shall be a greater ornament to thee in the sight of others.

neck] Heb. throats: That is, both sides of the throat.

Proverbs 1:10

if sinners entie thee] To wit, the wicked which have not the fear of God: spoken of verse 7.

Proverbs 1:11

let us lay wait for blood] Jere. 5. 26. He speaketh not onely of the shedding of blood with the hand, but also of all crafty practices, which tend to the detriment of our neighbours life, or livelihood, Psalms 10:8. and Psalms 17:12.

Proverbs 1:12

Let us swallow them up alive] Without any sign of blood, as if they had died a naturall death: or, so as no man may know what is become of them. Thus they provide for their own safety: or, so suddenly, as if this went quick down their throat. See Psal. 124.

as the grave] As the grave is never satiate, so the avarice of the wicked, and their cruelty hath no end, Chap. 30. 16.

Proverbs 1:14

let us all have one purse] He sheweth whereby the wicked are allured to joyn together. Every one hopes to have part of the spoil of the innocent.

Proverbs 1:15

My son, walk not thou in the way with them] Chap. 4. 14.

from their path] That is, have nothing at all to do with them, Psalms 1:1.

Proverbs 1:16

For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood] Isaiah 59:7. Romans 3:15.

Proverbs 1:17

Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird] Heb. Surely without cause the net is spread in the sight of any bird: yet men lay wait for their blood, and lurk privily for their lives. So are the wayes, &c. That is, as men seek to kill birds to eat them, though the birds provoke them not: so do wicked men seek to kill such as never offended them, that they may have their wealth. This is an inhumane course: Therefore my son have nothing to do with these wicked men.

in vain] Or, without cause, Vers. 11. chap 3. 30.

in the sight of any bird] Heb. in the eyes of every thing that hath a wing.

Proverbs 1:19

which taketh away the life of the owners thereof] Rather then they will lose their gain, they will adde murther to covetousnesse, 1 Timothy 6:10.

Proverbs 1:20

Wisdom] Heb. wisdoms; that is, excellent wisdom.

Wisdom crieth without] Chap. 8. 1. This wisdom is the eternall word of God.

in the streets] Places of most frequent concourse: so that none can pretend ignorance.

Proverbs 1:22

ye simple ones] Wisdom reproveth three kindes of men: simple ones, which erre of ignorance: mockers, that scoff at knowledge: fools, that hate instruction.

Proverbs 1:24

Because I have called, and ye refused, I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded] Isaiah 65:12. and Isaiah 66:4. Jere. 7. 13. Ezekiel 8:18.

I have stretched out my hand] A gesture of such as made proclamation, to get attention, Isaiah 65:2. Acts 21:40.

Proverbs 1:26

I also will laugh at your calamitie] This is spoken according to our capacity, signifying, That the wicked, which mock and jest at Gods word, shall have the just reward of their mocking, being required in the same kinde.

Proverbs 1:27

When your fear cometh] That is, your destruction, which you feared, Chap. 10. 24.

Proverbs 1:28

Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not finde me.] Job 27:9. Isaiah 1:15. Jere. 1. 11. and 14. 12. Mic. 3. 4.

but they shall not finde me] Because they sought not with sincere affection to God, but for ease onely of their own grief.

Proverbs 1:30

They would none of my counsel] Psal. 81. 11, 12.

Proverbs 1:31

Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.] Chap. 14. 14.

of the fruit of their own way] They shall feel what commodity their wicked life shall give them.

Proverbs 1:32

For the turning away of the simple shall slay them] Turning away from my counsells, verse 25.

turning away of the simple] Or, ease of the simple.

the prosperity of fools shall destroy them] Prosperity abused to sensuality, wherein they delight by reason of their wealth, Psalms 69:22.