v. 14. Where no counsel is, no wise direction or leadership, the people fall, decay and ruin come upon the whole country; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety, that is, it is bound to serve for the benefit of a people if intelligent counselors are always available to the government. read more
b) Comparison between the good results of piety and the disadvantages and penalties of ungodlinessProverbs 11-15α) With reference to just and unjust, benevolent and malevolent conduct towards one’s neighborProverbs 11:01 A false balance is an abomination to Jehovah,but a true weight is his delight.2 Pride cometh, then cometh shame,with the humble is wisdom.3 The integrity of the upright guideth hem,the perverseness of the ungodly shall destroy them.4 Riches profit not in... read more
Verse Proverbs 11:7. The antithesis of this proverb is between the condition described and that of one not described, that is to say, the expectation or hope of the wicked lies wholly on this side of the grave, and perishes at death. Verse Proverbs 11:12. The word "despiseth" here must be understood as marking some outward manifestation of contempt. The contrast will then be plain. Verse Proverbs 11:16. The method of this proverb is of comparison rather than of contrast, the idea being that... read more
A Collection Of Solomon’s Proverbs (Proverbs 10:1 to Proverbs 29:27 ). Solomon’s presentation of The Book of Proverbs has followed the pattern of much Wisdom literature. This commenced with the initial heading detailing the details of the author and his purpose in writing (Proverbs 1:1-7), continued with a Prologue which laid the foundation for what was to follow (Proverbs 1:8 to Proverbs 9:18), and was then followed by the body of the work introduced by one or more subheadings. In Solomon’s... read more
Neighbours And Fellow-Citizens (Proverbs 11:8-14 ). Solomon now deals with contrasts between the righteous and the wicked with regard to their neighbours and fellow-citizens. The first two verses in the subsection are connected together by the deliverance of the righteous, and can be seen together. The final two are connected by the damage caused by the despiser of his neighbour, who is a talebearer, and by the wisdom of the man of understanding who seeks to counter such tale-bearing. It will... read more
Proverbs 11. The orthodox view of strictly retributive justice found in Proverbs 10:24 f., Proverbs 11:27-Amos : is represented by a further group ( Proverbs 11:2-Ruth :, Proverbs 11:18-Ecclesiastes :, and Proverbs 11:31). Proverbs concerning speech are also frequent ( Proverbs 11:9; Proverbs 11:12 f.). There are, moreover, several new points— e.g. the value of wisdom to the community ( Proverbs 11:14); the popularity of the prosperity of the righteous ( Proverbs 11:10), possibly referring to... read more
No counsel; or, no wise counsel, as the word properly signifies, as Job 37:12; Proverbs 1:5. In the multitude of counsellors, to wit, of wise and good counsellors, for such will employ and unite their counsels together for the public good. read more
CRITICAL NOTES.—Proverbs 11:14. Counsel, literally, “pilotage,” “steermanship.” Proverbs 11:15. Suretyship, literally “striking hands.” See Notes and Illustration on chap. Proverbs 6:1. Stuart translates this verse, “An evil man showeth himself as evil when he giveth pledge to a stranger,” i.e., by hastily pledging himself and then not redeeming his pledge. MAIN HOMILETICS OF Proverbs 11:14HELMSMANSHIPI. The many (the people) are dependent upon the few for guidance. The word counsel is... read more
Shall we turn now in Proverbs to the eleventh chapter.Now we have come in the Proverbs to individual little sayings of wisdom. Each one is separate and complete in itself and unrelated to the next. So that there is very little to comment on, because each of them become a complete little thought and finish within the verse itself. So it is extremely difficult as far as exposition is concerned, because it says it all. And the wisdom is to be gleaned just from really the brevity of the statement... read more
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Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 11:10-31
10-31 This is the description of a virtuous woman of those days, but the general outlines equally suit every age and nation. She is very careful to recommend herself to her husband's esteem and affection, to know his mind, and is willing that he rule over her. 1. She can be trusted, and he will leave such a wife to manage for him. He is happy in her. And she makes it her constant business to do him good. 2. She is one that takes pains in her duties, and takes pleasure in them. She is careful to... read more