Proverbs 9

Proverbs 9:1

WIsedom] Chap. 1. 20.

Wisedom hath builded] Heb. Wisedoms: that is, Christ, the supreme Wisedom, chap. 8. 1.

her house] He hath prepared him a Church.

seven pillars] Many chief stays, and principall parts of his Church, as were the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, pastours and doctours.

Proverbs 9:2

her beasts] Heb. her killing.

she hath mingled her wine] Heb. mingled it: or, poured it out. So they did, in those hot countreys, mix their wine with water, to allay the heat of it. So doth Christ fit his heavenly instruction for our earthly capacitie.

mingled] Or, poured out.

she hath also furnished her table] He compareth wisedom to a great queen, who keeps open house for all comers. So doth the King of heaven, Matthew 22:2. This is opposed to the harlots feast, chap. 7. 14.

Proverbs 9:3

She hath sent forth] Salvation wrought by Christ will not profit us, except it be published to us.

her maidens] The incorrupt teachers and ministers of Christ, who are his servants, 2 Corinthians 4:2.

the highest places] Heb. the wings of the high places.

Proverbs 9:4

Whoso is simple] He that knoweth his own ignorance, and is void of malice.

in hither] Or, aside, a v. 15, 16.

Proverbs 9:5

eat of my bread] By meat and drink, is meant the word of God, and the ministration of the sacraments, whereby God nourisheth his servants in his house, which is, the Church. Joh. 6 27.

mingled] Or, poured out, as v. 2.

Proverbs 9:6

Forsake the foolish] Leave the company of ignorant and wicked men: or, leave your foolish and sinfull ways. So Prov. 1 22.

Proverbs 9:7

He that reproveth a scorner] The 7, 8, 9, 10 verses may be read included in a parenthesis: for in the 11 verse is a reason given of the exhortation given in the 5 and 6 verses.

getteth himself a blot] For the wicked will contemn the reprover, and labou to defame him, Matthew 7:6.

Proverbs 9:8

Reprove not a scorner] Meaning, them which are incorrigible, which Christ calleth dogs and swine: or, he speaketh in comparison; Rather rebuke a wise man then a fool: not that scorners should not be rebuked simply, or of none; but advisedly and discreetly, considering their malice, and the small hope of doing them good.

Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee] Matthew 7:6.

Proverbs 9:10

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisedom] Job 28:28. Psalms 111:10. Chap. 1. 7. They then that fear not God, have not one spark of true and saving knowledge.

Proverbs 9:11

For by me thy days shall be multiplied] Chap. 10. 27.

Proverbs 9:12

thou shalt be wise for thy self] I speak not for my profit, but for thine: if thou hearken to me, the good will be thine; and if thou scoff at my instruction, the hurt will be thine own, Job 35. 6, 7. Galatians 6:5.

Proverbs 9:13

A foolish woman is clamorous] Chap. 7. 11. The adulteresse, spoken of, chap. 7.

Proverbs 9:15

who go right on their ways] That would hearken to wisedoms lessons, if they were not seduced.

Proverbs 9:16

Whoso is simple] She speaks in the same words which wisedom used before, yet seeks to deceive, v. 4.

in hither] Or, aside, v. 4.

Proverbs 9:17

Stolen waters are sweet] Sinfull delights taken by stealth, are the more pleasant to persons sensually affected contrary to chap. 5. 15.

eaten in see] Heb. of secries: that is, eaten most secretly.

Proverbs 9:18

dead are there] Proverbs 2:18. and Proverbs 7:26.

her guests are in the depths of hell] They are as sure to go into the deepest place of hell, as if they were there already. A metaphor from a dungeon.