[4] The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
Judgment — By the free and impartial exercise of justice.
Gifts — Bribes.
[8] Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.
Wrath — The wrath of God or of men, who were enraged against it.
[9] If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
Whether — Whether he, the wise man, deal sharply with him, or mildly, there is no rest, no end or fruit of the debate.
[10] The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
Seek — To preserve it.
[15] The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
Left — Suffered to follow his own will without restraint and chastening.
[18] Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
No vision — No prophecy; no publick preaching of God's word.
[19] A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.
A servant — Who is so not only in condition, but also in the temper of his mind, disingenuous, and stubborn.
Words — By mere words.
Tho' — Though he know thy mind, and his own duty.
[20] Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words there is more hope of a fool than of him.
Hasty — Who is rash and heady in the management of his affairs.
[21] He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.
Delicately — Allowing him too much freedom, and familiarity.
A son — Will find him at last grow insolent, and forgetful of his servile condition.
[24] Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.
Bewrayeth it not — Which he is bound to do for the publick good.
[25] The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
A snare — Is an occasion of many sins.
[26] Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD.
Judgment — The decision of his cause, and the success of all his endeavours.
Proverbs 29 Bible Commentary
John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes
Verse 4
[4] The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
Judgment — By the free and impartial exercise of justice.
Gifts — Bribes.
Verse 8
[8] Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.
Wrath — The wrath of God or of men, who were enraged against it.
Verse 9
[9] If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
Whether — Whether he, the wise man, deal sharply with him, or mildly, there is no rest, no end or fruit of the debate.
Verse 10
[10] The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
Seek — To preserve it.
Verse 15
[15] The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
Left — Suffered to follow his own will without restraint and chastening.
Verse 18
[18] Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
No vision — No prophecy; no publick preaching of God's word.
Verse 19
[19] A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.
A servant — Who is so not only in condition, but also in the temper of his mind, disingenuous, and stubborn.
Words — By mere words.
Tho' — Though he know thy mind, and his own duty.
Verse 20
[20] Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words there is more hope of a fool than of him.
Hasty — Who is rash and heady in the management of his affairs.
Verse 21
[21] He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.
Delicately — Allowing him too much freedom, and familiarity.
A son — Will find him at last grow insolent, and forgetful of his servile condition.
Verse 24
[24] Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.
Bewrayeth it not — Which he is bound to do for the publick good.
Verse 25
[25] The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
A snare — Is an occasion of many sins.
Verse 26
[26] Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD.
Judgment — The decision of his cause, and the success of all his endeavours.