Most people who are unsociable care only about their own selfish concerns. They are against everything, even good, solid suggestions.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The Hebrew text of the O.T. here yields no satisfactory sense.’ Hooke preferred this: ‘A man who wishes to separate from friends seeks excuses; but at all times he will be liable to reproach.’ Another reading is, ‘The alienated friend seeks an occasion of quarrel to stir up strife.’ We shall paraphrase the apparent meaning here: ‘When any man wishes to separate himself from former friends, he will seek some pretext for doing so; but his behaviour is altogether reprehensible.’
A fool isn’t interested in trying to understand things. What they really want to do is tell you what they think. Understanding takes more work than the fool is willing to invest.
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘It is a fact that most vain and foolish people are never satisfied in company, but in showing their own nonsense and emptiness.’
Solomon here describes the path of wickedness; it ends in disgrace. This tells us that even a wicked man will be despised by other wicked people.
We know that wisdom comes from God, and so because it comes from God, the wise person has a continual source of wisdom.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Deep waters in the Old Testament are associated with the thought of darkness and mystery, Psalm 59:2 / Ecclesiastes 7:24 / Proverbs 20:3.’ On the other hand, the true wisdom (God’s Word) is like the happy sparkling waters of a flowing brook. Christ seems to have had this passage in mind, John 7:37-38, on that last day of the feast.’
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘We must not, in judicial cases, pay any attention to a man’s riches, influence, friends, offices, etc., but judge the case according to its own merits. But when the wicked rich man opposes and oppresses the poor righteous, then all those things should be utterly forgotten.’
When I was at school, the most popular kids were the ones who were always in trouble. People foolishly choose the most popular people to be their friends with, even though they may be wicked.
The fool’s mouth constantly gets them into trouble; they attract hostility and retaliation, Proverbs 26:22. Their very own words backfire on them and get them into trouble, Romans 3:13-14.
Who likes chocolate? Once you take a bite of a chocolate bar, you just want another one and another. This is like gossip; once we hear one part of a story, we just want to hear more and more. This is the desire for gossip. We may forget the good things we hear about people, but we easily remember the bad things and ‘whisper’ them to others who are eager to devour them.
This verse means of the same class and sharing the same nature, Proverbs 15:19.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘One by failing to get and the other by wasting what he has are brothers in that both their actions lead to poverty.’
Ross, in his commentary, says the following.
‘This is the only place in Proverbs where ‘the name of the LORD’ is found; it signifies the attributes of God, here the power to protect, cf. Exodus 34:5-7.’
The Name of the Lord is like a strong tower; the righteous person who runs to the Lord will find security in Him, which is provided by a fortified tower. This security is not accessible to the dangers below.
What we see here is strength.
In contrast, remember the film ‘Dam Busters’! Some things look impressive and may even give some sort of security, things like money, wealth or a big house, but they can be taken, destroyed or stolen, Proverbs 10:15. God’s power never ceases; it can’t be broken.
The haughty means someone who thinks they can proudly control everything. This is to their downfall, Proverbs 11:2 / Proverbs 15:33 / Proverbs 16:18. The word ‘humility’ perhaps means that once someone learns that they cannot control everything, they are humble. Humility leads to greatness, Matthew 18:1-5 / Philippians 2:1-10.
What we’re being told here is that we shouldn’t answer anyone until we hear the whole statement and know what is involved. It pays to listen before talking. We have probably learned this ‘a thousand times’, yet we still have a tendency to judge before all the facts are known.
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘There are many also that give judgment before they hear the whole of the cause, and express an opinion before they hear the state of the case. How absurd, stupid, and foolish!’
A broken spirit means that if the spirit is crushed, a person’s sickness is fatal because the inner source of resistance is gone. Physical weakness can be counterbalanced by the determination of the spirit, i.e. mind and will.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Spirit in this passage is the inner being of a man, the seat of his vigour and courage. Men with a strong spirit are able to overcome misfortunes and even serious illness, but without such inner determination, faith and courage, it is much more difficult, or even impossible.’
We’ve heard a lot in Proverbs about being silent, but this text tells us that there are times when we do not merely listen, we inquire! 1 Corinthians 8:2.
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Any man may, in the first instance, make out a fairy tale, because he has the choice of circumstances and arguments. But when the neighbour cometh and searcheth him, he examines all, dissects all, swears and cross-questions every witness, and brings out truth and fact.’
People let peace into someone’s life because of the gift. However, money, when properly used, can gain entrance into the circles of high society and great influence.
A gift can be the simplest of things; a cup of water in Jesus’ Name can do wonders, Matthew 10:42 / Mark 9:41. The just are the righteous. This shows the value of close examination, especially concerning false witnesses!
These verses teach us that there are three things we need to remember in decision-making.
1. We need to remember there are two sides to a story before we make a judgment about someone or something.
2. We need to know the facts before we make a judgment about someone or something.
3. We need to be open to people and their ideas.
This is a reference to legal cases, particularly those whose investigations are drawn out and indecisive. In such situations, a settlement by the use of the casting of lots is commendable because it will settle what we cannot or will not decide by normal legal procedures, Proverbs 16:33.
The bars of a castle mean it’s difficult to break down. When someone is offended, their backs are usually up, and so it’s difficult to break down their pride.
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘If we take the words according to the common version, we see them express what, alas! We know it to be too generally true: that when brothers fall out, it is with extreme difficulty that they can be reconciled. And fraternal enmities are generally strong and inveterate.’
When we go for a job interview, we know we have to say what they want to hear, and some have a talent for doing this, Matthew 12:37. The idea seems to be that proper speech can put a person in a position to earn a living. However, we need to be careful not to talk too much. Because of the tongue’s power, it is imperative to use it properly, James 3:9-12.
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘This may apply to all men. Many have lost their lives by their tongue, and some have saved their lives by it: but it applies most forcibly to public pleaders; on many of their tongues hangs life or death.’
In the film ‘Gladiator’, we see the emperor has the power to allow a gladiator to live or die, and so he will give the thumbs up to live, thumbs down to die. The way we use our tongue also has the power to give life or destroy it. If we live by the sword, we die by the sword, Matthew 26:52 / Galatians 6:7-8.
Marriage was God’s design for mankind, Genesis 2:21-25, and married life is great only if we find the right husband or wife, someone who is willing to work on their marriage through good times and bad times. The Proverbs believe in the benefits of marriage despite its obvious hazards, Proverbs 21:9.
The poor person has to worry about properly asking for help; the rich person doesn’t.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Here we have a proverb that states one of the realities of our earthly lives, although by no means a desirable one. ‘The poor man has to request things respectfully, hoping for help in his impoverished condition; but the rich man does not have to worry about the tone of his voice.’ Sometimes a wealthy man will display a haughty attitude with little or no regard for the way in which his words may be received by others.’
Most people I know don’t like to be lonely; we were created to have relationships with others. Sadly, some friendships are not good for us, especially if those friends are unreliable.
In most cases, our church family can easily become closer to us than our physical families. There is a friendship which endures more strongly and loyally than one’s own relatives. These are genuine friends, John 15:14-15 / Romans 12:15.