Proverbs 5

Proverbs 5:2

DIscretion] Heb. discretions: that is, all manner of discretion.

that thy lips may keep knowledge] That thou mayest not onely be wise thy self, but also able to teach others wisedom, Malachi 2:7.

Proverbs 5:3

For the lips] I warn thee to hearken to my words, lest thou be deceived by the words of the adulteresse.

a strange woman] See Notes on chap. 2. v. 16.

For the lips of a strange woman, &c.] Chap. 2. 16. and 6. 24.

mouth] Heb. palate.

smoother then oil] By oil and honey, he meaneth flattering and crafty enticements, psal. 55. 21.

Proverbs 5:4

her end is bitter as wormwood] That which will come upon thee, if thou meddle with the adulteresse.

end is bitter] 2 Samuel 2:26.

Proverbs 5:5

Her feet go down to death] Chap. 7. 27. All her doings lead to destruction.

Proverbs 5:6

her ways are moveable] She hath ever new means to allure to wickednesse, so that men cannot discern their danger, nor think of returning to good ways.

Proverbs 5:7

O ye children] O Solomon, and the rest of my sons: for they are Davids words. See Notes on chap. 4. v. 4, 11.

Proverbs 5:8

come not nigh the door of her house] As from an house infected with the plague: come not nigh the door.

Proverbs 5:9

Lest thou give thine honour unto others] Lest thou be dishonoured by adultery, and her husband slay thee, chap. 6. v. 32, 34.

Proverbs 5:10

thy wealth] Heb. thy strength.

and thy labours be in the house of a stranger] Lest she, her husband and her children spend those goods which thou hast gotten with hard labour.

Proverbs 5:11

And thou mourn at the last] Roar like a lion: as if he were going to hell; he hath more horrour now, then joy before.

when thy flesh and thy body are consumed] By some soul disease, which follows loose persons in that kinde, Job 20:11.

Proverbs 5:12

How have I] How brutish was I to do so, psal. 73. 22. Now he seeth his errour, though late first.

hated instruction] He sheweth the true cause of continuing in adultery, to be, hatred of instruction, although no adulterer in his health will confesse so much.

Proverbs 5:14

in the midst of the congregation] I was made a publike spectacle of misery for all men to gaze at, and almost utterly ruined.

Proverbs 5:15

of thine own istern] Get a wife of thine own, and delight in her, to extinguish the fire of lust in a clear well, and not in dirty puddles, which strumpets are.

Proverbs 5:16

Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad] Let thy children lawfully begotten be married about into other families with credit, which bastards cannot; for few of credit will joyn with them.

fountains] Or, springs, as psal. 87. 7.

Proverbs 5:17

Let them be onely thine own] Let it not be doubtfull whether they be thine or other mens, as it is with the children of adulterers.

Proverbs 5:18

Let thy fountain be blessed] So God will blesse thy wife, and make her fruitfull.

rejoyce with the wife of thy youth] Which thou didst marry in thy youth, and so mayest have lawfull children by her to rejoyce in, chap. 2. 17. Malachi 2:14.

Proverbs 5:19

Let her be as the loving hinde] Heb. as the hinde of loves: that is, as the most beloved or amiable hinde. So, a man of reproofs: that is, oft reproved, chap. 29. 1.

let her brests satisfie thee] Heb. make thee drunk. Let them give thee abundance of content.

sati〈…〉 thee] Heb. water thee.

at all times] Not by fits as men take content in strumpets.

be thou raisht always with her love] Heb. erre thou always in her love. As the hart wanders up and down when he misseth his best beloved hinde. It requires abundance of affection from the husband to the wife.

Proverbs 5:20

And why wilt thou] Seeing there is so many inconveniences in adultery, and conveniences in marriage, Why shouldest thou be taken so with the adulteresse?

a strange woman] See Notes on chap. 2. 16.

Proverbs 5:21

For] Or, Seeing that.

For the ways of man] If the former reasons will not draw thee from adultery, yet let the consideration of Gods judgements do it.

before the eyes of the Lord] Though men see not thy adultery, yet God doth, and will punish thee for it, Hebrews 13:4.

For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord] Job 31:4. and Job 34:21. Chap. 15. 3. Jeremiah 16:17. and Jeremiah 32:19. Hebrews 4:13.

Proverbs 5:22

His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself] Every grosse wicked person; but especially the adulterer.

with the cords of his sins] Chap. 29. 6.

sins] Heb. sin.

Proverbs 5:23

He shall die without instruction] Heb. because there is no instruction. God is so angry with him, that he will let no man instruct him, that he might escape. Or, it may be understood of correction; God will not correct him, but let him perish in his sins, Hosea 4:14. Or, because he receives no instruction.