Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 29

Verse 1

RIGHTEOUS OR WICKED RULE

(Proverbs 29)

When Opportunity Ends

Verse 1-See comment on Proverbs 1:24-32.

Verse 2

Righteous Or Wicked Rule

Verse 2 repeats the substance of Proverbs 28:28; Proverbs 11:10 which contrast the fluctuating joy and apprehension as governmental authority shifts from wicked to righteous or. from righteous to wicked. See Ezra 3:11-13; Ezra 7:10; Ezra 8:1-2; Ezra 8:15.

Verse 3

Parental Joy and Sorrow

Verse 3 affirms that a child who manifests a love of wisdom is a joy to parents (see comment on Proverbs 10:1 and Proverbs 23:15-16); but a son who keeps company with harlots wastes his substance indulging in a grievous evil. (See comments on Proverbs 5:3-5; Proverbs 5:8-13 and Proverbs 6:20 to Proverbs 7:27; see also Luke 15:13; Luke 15:30.)

Verse 4

Stable Government

Verse 4 suggests that a just king or ruler establishes the country by the exercise of justice; but he who accepts bribes overthrows it, Vs 14; Proverbs 8:15; 2 Chronicles 9:8; also see comment on Proverbs 15:27.

Verse 5

Deceitful Flattery

Verse 5 declares that a man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net or sets a trap for his own feet. The flatterer is deceitful in that he purposely overvalues the virtues he praises to gain advantage for himself and he will be judged for it, Psalms 5:9; Psalms 36:2-3. The person flattered may also be entrapped if he is influenced by the flattery to think more highly of himself than he should, Proverbs 26:12; 2 Chronicles 26:16; 2 Chronicles 32:25; Job 33:9; Romans 12:3; 1 Corinthians 8:2.

Verse 6

The Peril of the Evil Way

Verse 6 contrasts the consequence of the evil man’s transgression which like the unseen net set for birds and fish, will fall upon him suddenly; with the assurance which enables the righteous to sing and rejoice, Proverbs 22:5; Ecclesiastes 9:12; Exodus 14:29-31; Exodus 15:1.

Verse 7

Concern For the Poor

Verse 7 affirms that the righteous have compassion for and seek to insure justice for the poor, Proverbs 29:14; Proverbs 31:8-9; Job 29:12-17; Psalms 41:1; Psalms 82:3; but the wicked see no profit in the poor and care not what happens to them, Proverbs 17:5; Proverbs 30:14; Isaiah 3:15; Psalms 10:2.

Verse 8

Wise Men Turn Away Wrath

Verse 8 refers again to the scorner who deliberately provokes anger and contention, Proverbs 21:24; Proverbs 22:10. If permitted, he will inflame the city, Vs 8a; Proverbs 11:11 b; but wise men turn away wrath, Vs 8b; Proverbs 11:11 a; Proverbs 16:14.

Verse 9

Arguing With A Fool

Verse 9 suggests that it is an exercise in futility for a wise man to contend with a foolish man. Whether the foolish responds with anger or scorn, or the wise is pleasant or severe, no satisfactory conclusion should be expected. Only the rod registers with the fool, Proverbs 10:13; Proverbs 18:6; Proverbs 19:29; Proverbs 26:3.

Verse 10

Hatred Or Compassion For Upright

Verse 10 affirms that. bad men hate the upright as first demonstrated in Genesis 4:5-8; but the just will seek to preserve his life as Jonathan sought to protect David, 1 Samuel 19:1-3; 1 John 3:12.

Verse 11

Self Control

Verse 11 declares that the fool utters all he can say at once; but a wise man exercises restraint and presents his facts so as to progressively show the strength of his position, Proverbs 12:16; Proverbs 14:29; Proverbs 14:33; Proverbs 16:32; Proverbs 19:11; Proverbs 25:28; Judges 16:16-17.

Verse 12

Destructive Influence

Verse 12 declares that if a ruler or person of authority listens to lies he wants to hear, all his subordinates will be wicked. Ahab is an example. He wanted to take Ramoth in Gilead from Syria and his false prophets told him what he wanted to hear, that he would be successful. His attempt, however, was a disaster, ending in his death, 1 Kings 12:12-14; 1 Kings 22:6; 1 Kings 22:29-37.

Verse 13

Rich and Poor Subject to Lord

Verse 13 emphasizes that both the poor and the more prosperous lender or usurer (deceitful man) owe their life to the LORD, are under His watchful eye, and shall in due time give account to Him. See comment on Proverbs 22:2; also Psalms 37:1-10; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.

Verse 14

JustJudgement

Verse 14 affirms that the king who faithfully metes out justice establishes a throne that shall continue. Proverbs 16:12; Proverbs 25:5 cite actions included and excluded in such administration of justice. These are standards to guide earthly rulers but reach ultimate fulfillment in the administration of the LORD, the judge of all, Psalms 72:4; Psalms 96:13; Isaiah 11:4; Acts 17:31; Romans 2:16.

Verse 15

Child Discipline

Verse 15 prescribes the proper discipline for the child. Reproof first, followed by the rod, because foolishness is bound in the heart of the child, and also for the reason that if not disciplined, he will bring shame upon his parents, Vs 15; Proverbs 13:24; Proverbs 19:18; Proverbs 22:15; Proverbs 23:13; Proverbs 22:6; Proverbs 29:17.

Verse 16

The Wicked Shall Fall

Verse 16 reveals a sequel to Proverbs 29:2 for the righteous. Although it is ill for the righteous when the wicked are in control, the righteous are assured that evil rule is only temporary and will eventually fall, Proverbs 21:12; Psalms 37:34-36; Psalms 58:10; Psalms 91:8; Psalms 92:11.

Verse 17

Blessing of Child Training

Verse 17 is a divine pledge to parents who properly discipline their children; rest or relief from anxiety about them and delight in the obedience manifest in their life is promised; Proverbs 10:1; Proverbs 22:6; Proverbs 29:15; Ephesians 6:1-4.

Verse 18

Spiritual Famine

Verse 18 refers to "vision" in the sense of understanding the LORD’s will as revealed through His Word. If there be no such understanding there is spiritual famine and the people perish spiritually, Amos 8:11-12; Psalms 74:9; but he who knows and heeds the Word shall be blessed, Proverbs 29:18; John 13:17; James 1:25.

Verse 19

Stubborn Servants

Verse 19 refers to a servant (slave) stubborn in nature who understood but would not be corrected by spoken words. A more compelling effort such as physical punishment was necessary to persuade response. Some who understand the Words of the LORD today are also stubborn and must be persuaded, Job 16:12; Psalms 119:67; John 2:2; John 3:3.

Verse 20

Worse Than A Fool

Verse 20 declares that a man who is hasty in his words, prone to speak on the spur of the moment, without consideration of facts and discretion, is more hopeless than a fool, Proverbs 14:29; Proverbs 21:5; Proverbs 26:12; Ecclesiastes 5:2; Judges 11:31-35; 1 Samuel 14:24-26; Acts 19:35-40.

Verse 21

Spoiled Servants

Verse 21 warns that to pamper and spoil a servant from childhood will lead him to expect and seek the rights and privileges of a son when he reaches maturity, Proverbs 17:2; Proverbs 19:10; Proverbs 30:10; Proverbs 30:22-23.

Verse 22

Beware of the Angry

Verse 22 affirms that a man given to anger stirs up strife and abounds in sin, see comment on Proverbs 15:18. Proverbs 22:24-25 warn against making friends with such a man lest his ways be learned and snare the soul.

Verse 23

Pride or Humility

Verse 23-See comments on Proverbs 16:18-19.

Verse 24

Partner With A Thief

Verse 24, in accordance with Leviticus 5:1, declares that one who has knowledge of a thief and refuses under oath to give evidence’ against him is a partner to the thief and shall bear the same guilt as he, Leviticus 5:1; Leviticus 6:2-5.

Verse 25

Fear of Man Vs Trust In the Lord

Verse 25 contrasts the snare of man’s fear of man with the assurance that whoso trusts in the LORD shall be safe. Because of fear of man Abraham denied his wife, Genesis 12:12; Genesis 20:2; Peter denied his LORD, Matthew 26:69-75; and Elijha fled from the wicked Jezebel, 1 Kings 19:3. In contrast, Daniel and his friends trusted the LORD and confounded world rulers, Daniel 6:10; Daniel 6:16-22; Daniel 3:19-30. Moses trusted the LORD and he and the people he led were victors over Egyptian might and the sea, Exodus 14:13-15; Exodus 14:27-31.

Verse 26

Man’s True Favor

Verse 26 states a fact of Solomon’s day that is still prevalent today; many seek the favor of men who at best can only aid them in the material realm. The all important truth is man’s true favor and justice comes from the LORD, Proverbs 19:6; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Ephesians 1:7; Titus 3:7.

Verse 27

Attitudes of Just and Unjust

Verse 27 affirms the antipathy that exists between the righteous and the wicked in the matter of life-styles. The righteous are concerned for the souls of the wicked, but have a strong dislike for their evil practices which offend the LORD and injure men. Similarly, the wicked dislike the upright ways of the righteous , which condemn their own conduct, Proverbs 12:8; Proverbs 29:27; Psalms 139:21-22; John 17:14; 1 John 3:11-13; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.