Proverbs 17

Proverbs 17:1

ADrie morsell, and quietnesse therewith, then a house full of sacrifices with strife] Chap. 15. 17.

then a house full of sacrifices with strife] For where as were many sacrifices, there were many portions given to the people, wherewith they feasted. Or, the word may signifie cattell slain to eat, not to sacrifice.

sacrifices] Or, good cheer.

Proverbs 17:2

A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame] Sometimes a wise and faithfull servant is by the father set over slothfull children, and hath part of the inheritance with them.

Proverbs 17:3

The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold] Psalms 26:2. Chap. 27. 21. Jeremiah 17:10. Malachi 3:3.

but the Lord trieth the hearts] Men can finde out other things, but not other mens thoughts.

Proverbs 17:4

a liar giveth ear to a naughtie tongue] No tongue so bad, but a liar will hearken to it.

naughtie tongue] Heb. of naughtinesses: that is, most naughtie.

Proverbs 17:5

Whoso mocketh the poor, reproacheth his Maker] Chap. 14. 31.

unpunished] Heb. held innocent.

Proverbs 17:6

Childrens children are the crown of old men] Psalms 127:3. and Psalms 128:3.

Proverbs 17:7

Excellent speech] Heb. a lip of excellencie.

Excellent speech becometh not a fool] As eloquent speech shews a fool speaks not like himself: so a prince speaks much lesse like himself, if he speak falsly.

lying lips] Heb. a lip of lying.

Proverbs 17:8

A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it] Chap. 18. 16. Heb. of the masters of it. Rich men think they can do any thing with gifts.

a precious stone] Heb. a stone of grace.

Proverbs 17:9

He that covereth a transgression, seeketh love] Chap. 10. 12. Concealing injuries done us, breeds peace; ripping them up, breeds discord among neerest friends.

seeketh] Or, procureth.

Proverbs 17:10

A reproof entreth more into a wise man, &c.] A wise man is more affected with, and mends sooner after a reproof, then a foolish person after many stripes.

A reproof entreth more into a wise man, then an hundred stripes into a fool] Or, a repreof aweth more a wise man, then to strike a fool an hundred times.

Proverbs 17:11

therefore a cruell messenger shall be sent against him] An hangman or executioner.

Proverbs 17:12

Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man] It is better to meet a she-bear, that falls on every one she meets, as if he had stolen her whelps, then to meet a wicked man in a violent passion.

Proverbs 17:13

rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house] Romans 12:17. 1 Thess. 5. 15. 1 Pet. 3. 9.

Proverbs 17:14

The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water] He that raiseth strife, knows not how to stay it, no more then he that opens a breach to let out waters to drown a countrey: therefore begin not to contend at any time.

Proverbs 17:15

He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, &c.] Exodus 23:7. Chap. 24. 24. Isaiah 5:23.

even they both are abomination to the Lord] Men think it mercy to favour a wicked man in judgement, but God accounts is as bad as condemning an innocent.

Proverbs 17:16

Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisedom] If a man have never so much opportunity and means, yet he will not use them, unlesse he have an heart desirous to learn.

Proverbs 17:17

A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity] Chap. 18. 24.

a brother is born for adversitie] They are true friends and kinred that forsake us not in adversity.

Proverbs 17:18

A man void of understanding striketh hands] Chap. 6. 1. and 11. 15.

understanding] Heb. heart.

in the presence of his friend] Openly, in the presence of the creditour, chap. 6. 3.

friend] Or, neighbour.

Proverbs 17:19

he that exalteth his gate, seeketh destruction] He that makes him fairer gates then his neighbour, seeking to exalt himself above his degree, gives others occasion to seek his ruine. Broad gates break men many times.

Proverbs 17:20

He that hath a froward heart] Heb. the froward of heart.

Proverbs 17:21

He that begetteth a fool, doth it to his sorrow] Chap. 10. 1.

Proverbs 17:22

A merry heart doth good like a medicine] Chap. 15. 13. and 12. 25. A cheerfull heart helps well to recover health lost: but a sad one breeds deadly diseases.

like a medicine] Or, to a medicine.

Proverbs 17:23

A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosome] That is, secretly, as it were out of the bosome of the rich.

Proverbs 17:24

Wisdom is before him that hath understanding, but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth] Ecclesiastes 2:14. and Ecclesiastes 8:1.

Wisdom is before him that hath understanding] Easie to be gotten, or ready to guide him, or, appears in his face by his modest carriage: in fools, all is contrary.

Proverbs 17:25

A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitternesse to her that bare him] Chap. 10. 1. and 15. 20. and 19. 13.

Proverbs 17:26

nor to strike princes for equity] Or, that princes should strike for equity: That is, no man should suffer for well-doing.

Proverbs 17:27

He that hath knowledge spareth his words] James 1:19. It is a sign of excellent wisdom for a man to moderate his speech at any time, but especially in his anger.

an excellent spirit] Or, a cool spirit.

Proverbs 17:28

Even a fool when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise] Job. 13. 5.