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The character of the righteous and of the wicked, with the blessed fruits of integrity, and evil effects of sin, Proverbs 28:11-12. The evil of concealing and blessedness of confessing sin, Proverbs 28:13. The evil of oppression and violence, the benefit of industry and faithfulness, with sundry other observations, Proverbs 28:15-28.

The wicked flee when no man pursueth, because the conscience of their own guilt puts them into a continual expectation and dread of God’s judgments.

The righteous are bold; are courageous and resolute, having the witness of a good conscience, and the assurance of Divine favour and protection, and the supports and consolations of the Holy Ghost.

Many are the princes thereof; either,

1. Together, contending for supremacy. Or rather,

2. Successively, as appears from the following clause. Their princes are soon cut off, and other persons, and ofttimes persons of other families, come in their stead, which is justly threatened as a curse, because such frequent changes are seldom for the better, and commonly for the worse, and are frequently attended with blood and slaughter, with the change and subversion of laws, with heavy taxes and charges, with the ruin of many families, and with many other mischiefs.

By a man of understanding and knowledge; by a wise and good man; which may be understood either,

1. Collectively, for

men of understanding, & c., as it is rendered in the margin. i.e. when the men or people of a land are wise and good. Or rather,

2. Singularly; and that either,

3. Of a wise and righteous prince, who by the good government of himself, and his family, and kingdom, by punishing and preventing the transgressions of the people, turns away God’s wrath, and saves himself and people. Or,

4. Of any other man of eminent wisdom or piety, who prevents this judgment, either by his good counsels given to the prince and people, and entertained by them, or by his intercession to God; for God hath sometimes spared a people for the sake of one man, as he did Zoar for Lot, Genesis 19:20,21. and the Israelites for Moses, Psalm 106:23.

The state thereof shall be prolonged; the land shall enjoy its former state and tranquillity, and the life of their good prince shall be prolonged.

When a poor man being advanced into a place of authority, abuseth it to oppress those that are poor and unable to resist him, he is like a violent rain or flood, which washeth away the very seeds which are in the earth, and spoileth the corn and fruits which are upon it. He is the worst of all oppressors, because as he is of a base mind, which also is made much worse by a sudden change and elevation into a high condition; so his own necessities inflame his desires, and make him greedy to take all, yea, even the small, advantages of enriching himself; which the ancients expressed by the similitude of an empty horseleech, which sucketh much more strongly than that which is already filled; and of a dry sponge, which licks up far more water than that which was wet before.

They that forsake the law, that live in the contempt of and disobedience to God’s law,

praise the wicked; honour their persons, contrary to Psalm 15:4; freely and familiarly associate themselves with them, and approve of their sinful courses; all which proceeds from their great likeness to them.

Contend with them; are so far from praising or applauding them, that they severely rebuke them, and to the utmost of their power oppose them in their wicked enterprises.

Understand not, because their minds are naturally blind, and are further blinded by their own prejudices and passions, and by the god of this world, who rules in and over them.

Judgment, i.e. what is just and right; what is their duty in all cases and conditions, as judgment is frequently understood.

That seek the Lord, by diligent study of his word, and by fervent prayers to him for advice. All things which are necessary to be known by them, either for the discharge of all their present duties to God and men, or for their everlasting happiness.

Better; in a much safer and happier condition.

In his ways, Heb. in two ways; halting between two ways, pretending to virtue, but practising vice; or covering his wicked designs with good pretences; or sometimes erring on one hand, and sometimes on the other, as wicked men commonly do.

Is a wise son; and consequently a credit and comfort to his father, as hath been oft noted before.

Is a companion of riotous men; which is both a manifest violation of God’s law, which forbids this society, and is the ready way to a total and final apostacy from God, and from his law.

Shameth his father, because he is a foolish son.

By usury and unjust gain, Heb. by usury and (or, or) increase, i.e. by any kind of usury, whereby the poor are oppressed, as is implied from the opposite clause; or by any unrighteous practices. See more of these words and of this thing on Exodus 22:25 Leviticus 25:35,36 Psa 15:5 Ezekiel 18:8.

Shall gather it for him that will pity the poor; it shall not long continue with him or his, but shall by God’s righteous and powerful providence be disposed into more just and merciful hands.