Proverbs Chapter 28
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
Proverbs 28:1
Bible Verses:
1The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
Sin makes men cowards. Whatever difficulties the righteous meet in the way of duty, they are not daunted.
Proverbs 28:2
Bible Verses:
2For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.
National sins disturb the public repose.
Proverbs 28:3
Bible Verses:
3A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
If needy persons get opportunities of oppressing, their extortion will be more severe than that of the more wealthy.
Proverbs 28:4
Bible Verses:
4They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.
Wicked people strengthen one another in wicked ways.
Proverbs 28:5
Bible Verses:
5Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the Lord understand all things.
If a man seeks the Lord, it is a good sign that he understands much, and it is a good means of understanding more.
Proverbs 28:6
Bible Verses:
6Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
An honest, godly, poor man, is better than a wicked, ungodly, rich man; has more comfort in himself, and is a greater blessing to the world.
Proverbs 28:7
Bible Verses:
7Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.
Companions of riotous men not only grieve their parents, but shame them.
Proverbs 28:8
Bible Verses:
8He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
That which is ill got, though it may increase much, will not last long. Thus the poor are repaid, and God is glorified.
Proverbs 28:9
Bible Verses:
9He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
The sinner at whose prayers God is angry, is one who obstinately refuses to obey God's commands.
Proverbs 28:10
Bible Verses:
10Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.
The success of ungodly men is their own misery.
Proverbs 28:11
Bible Verses:
11The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
Rich men are so flattered, that they think themselves superior to others.
Proverbs 28:12
Bible Verses:
12When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
There is glory in the land when the righteous have liberty.
Proverbs 28:13
Bible Verses:
13He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
It is folly to indulge sin, and excuse it. He who covers his sins, shall not have any true peace. He who humbly confesses his sins, with true repentance and faith, shall find mercy from God. The Son of God is our great atonement. Under a deep sense of our guilt and danger, we may claim salvation from that mercy which reigns through righteousness unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Proverbs 28:14
Bible Verses:
14Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
There is a fear which causes happiness. Faith and love will deliver from the fear of eternal misery; but we should always fear offending God, and fear sinning against him.
Proverbs 28:15
Bible Verses:
15As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
A wicked ruler, whatever we may call him, this scripture calls a roaring lion, and a ranging bear.
Proverbs 28:16
Bible Verses:
16The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
Oppressors want understanding; they do not consult their own honour, ease, and safety.
Proverbs 28:17
Bible Verses:
17A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.
The murderer shall be haunted with terrors. None shall desire to save him from deserved punishment, nor pity him.
Proverbs 28:18
Bible Verses:
18Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
Uprightness will give men holy security in the worst times; but the false and dishonest are never safe.
Proverbs 28:19
Bible Verses:
19He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
Those who are diligent, take the way to live comfortably.
Proverbs 28:20
Bible Verses:
20A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
The true way to be happy, is to be holy and honest; not to raise an estate suddenly, without regard to right or wrong.
Proverbs 28:21
Bible Verses:
21To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
Judgment is perverted, when any thing but pure right is considered.
Proverbs 28:22
Bible Verses:
22He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
He that hastens to be rich, never seriously thinks how quickly God may take his wealth from him, and leave him in poverty.
Proverbs 28:23
Bible Verses:
23He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.
Upon reflection, most will have a better opinion of a faithful reprover than of a soothing flatterer.
Proverbs 28:24
Bible Verses:
24Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.
Here is the wickedness of those who think it no sin to rob their parents, by wheedling them or threatening them, or by wasting what they have, and running into debt.
Proverbs 28:25
Bible Verses:
25He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat.
Those make themselves always easy, that live in continual dependence upon God and his grace, and live by faith.
Proverbs 28:26
Bible Verses:
26He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
A fool trusts to his own strength, merit, and righteousness. And trusts to his own heart, which is not only deceitful above all things, but which has often deceived him.
Proverbs 28:27
Bible Verses:
27He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
A selfish man not only will not look out for objects of compassion, but will look off from those that call for his attention.
Proverbs 28:28
Bible Verses:
28When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.
When power is put into the hands of the wicked, wise men decline public business. If the reader will go diligently over this and the other chapters, in many places where at first he may suppose there is least of Christ, still he will find what will lead to him.