[1] Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
Her house — For the reception of her guests.
Seven — Many pillars; whereby is intimated the beauty and stability of the church.
Pillars — Prophets, and apostles, and ministers.
Verse 2
[2] She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
Killed — Made provision for the guests.
Mingled — With water, as they used to do in those hot countries.
Furnished — With all necessaries, and now waits for the guests.
Verse 3
[3] She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
Maidens — Her servants to invite the guests, ministers of the word whom he calls maidens for the decency of the parable; for wisdom being compared to a great princess, was fit to be attended upon by maidens.
Highest places — From such high seats as those from which judges delivered their sentences, and officers made proclamations.
Verse 4
[4] Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
Simple — Ignorant, and weak.
Verse 7
[7] He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
A former — He shews whom he meant by the foolish, verse 6, even scorners and wicked men, and presses his last advice of forsaking them because there was no good, but hurt to be got from them.
Verse 8
[8] Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
A scorner — An obstinate and incorrigible sinner.
Verse 12
[12] If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
For thyself — Thou dost not profit me but thyself.
Verse 14
[14] For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
At the door — Watching for occasions of sin.
Verse 15
[15] To call passengers who go right on their ways:
Go right — Who are going innocently about their business.
Verse 16
[16] Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
Simple — This title is not given them by her, but by Solomon.
Verse 17
[17] Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
Sweet — From the difficulty of obtaining them; and because the very prohibition renders them more grateful to corrupt nature.
Proverbs 9 Bible Commentary
John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes
Verse 1
[1] Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
Her house — For the reception of her guests.
Seven — Many pillars; whereby is intimated the beauty and stability of the church.
Pillars — Prophets, and apostles, and ministers.
Verse 2
[2] She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
Killed — Made provision for the guests.
Mingled — With water, as they used to do in those hot countries.
Furnished — With all necessaries, and now waits for the guests.
Verse 3
[3] She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
Maidens — Her servants to invite the guests, ministers of the word whom he calls maidens for the decency of the parable; for wisdom being compared to a great princess, was fit to be attended upon by maidens.
Highest places — From such high seats as those from which judges delivered their sentences, and officers made proclamations.
Verse 4
[4] Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
Simple — Ignorant, and weak.
Verse 7
[7] He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
A former — He shews whom he meant by the foolish, verse 6, even scorners and wicked men, and presses his last advice of forsaking them because there was no good, but hurt to be got from them.
Verse 8
[8] Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
A scorner — An obstinate and incorrigible sinner.
Verse 12
[12] If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
For thyself — Thou dost not profit me but thyself.
Verse 14
[14] For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
At the door — Watching for occasions of sin.
Verse 15
[15] To call passengers who go right on their ways:
Go right — Who are going innocently about their business.
Verse 16
[16] Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
Simple — This title is not given them by her, but by Solomon.
Verse 17
[17] Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
Sweet — From the difficulty of obtaining them; and because the very prohibition renders them more grateful to corrupt nature.