24:2 Destruction - How they may oppress and destroy others. 24:3 Through wisdom - There is no need that thou shouldest raise thy family by ruining others, which thou mayest more effectually do by wisdom. 24:4 By knowledge - Which in scripture phrase includes the love and practice of what we know. 24:5 Is strong - Is courageous and resolute, and able by wisdom to do greater things than others can accomplish by strength. 24:6 Thy war - War is better managed by wisdom than by strength. 24:7 A fool - For a wicked man, whose sins enfeeble his mind, and make it incapable of wisdom. Openeth not - He knows not how to speak acceptably, and profitably in the publick assembly. 24:8 Shall be called - Though he cover his wicked devices with fair pretences, he shall be branded with that infamy which is due to him. 24:9 The thought - The very inward thought or contrivance of evil, is a sin in God's sight. 24:11 Deliver - When it is in thy power. Drawn - By the violence of lawless men. 24:12 Consider - That this is only a frivolous excuse. 24:13 Eat - This is not a command, but a concession, and is only here expressed to illustrate the following verse . Honey in those parts was an usual food. 24:14 A reward - It is not only sweet for the present, but brings a sure and everlasting reward. 24:16 Falleth - Into calamities, of which he evidently speaks both in the foregoing verse , and in the following branch of this verse . Fall - Frequently into irrecoverable destruction. 24:17 Falleth - Into mischief. 24:18 From him - Understand, upon thee, which is implied in the Hebrew phrase. 24:20 No reward - All his happiness shall quickly and eternally perish. The candle - All their comfort and glory shall cease. 24:21 To change - That are unstable in their obedience to God or to the king. 24:22 Who knoweth - Who can conceive how sore and sudden will be the ruin of them that fear not God, and the king. 24:23 These - The counsels following, to the end of the chapter , no less than those hitherto mentioned, are worthy of their consideration. 24:25 Rebuke - That publickly and judicially rebuke and condemn the wicked. Delight - The peace of a good conscience. 24:26 Shall kiss - Shall respect him. A right answer - That speaks pertinently and plainly, and truly. 24:32 Received - I learned wisdom by his folly. | |