The value of right feeling (“heart” literally, or sense) is enforced and contrasted with the folly and evil of deceit, both for the life that is, and for that to come; the uncomeliness of self-indulgence, and the admirableness of forbearance; the comfort of royal favor, as against the fear of its displeasure; the grief where family relationship is in disorder, and the manifest blessing where she who shares the guidance walks and judges wisely.
“He that getteth sense loveth his own soul; he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
A false witness shall not be held innocent, and one uttering lies shall perish.
Luxury is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
The discretion of a man maketh him slow to anger; and [it is] his glory to pass over a transgression.
The king's wrath [is] as a lion's roaring; but his favor [is] as dew upon the grass.
A foolish son [is] the calamity of his father; and the contentions of a wife [are] a continual dropping.
House and riches [are] an inheritance from fathers; but a prudent wife [is] from Jehovah” (vers. 8-14).
It is not only lax and dissolute ways that lead to ruin. How many perish by the indifference which gives a loose rein to folly! There is no fear of God in either; and where this fear is lacking, all must be wrong. Before, we were told that the fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom, as it also tends to life. This may be even now before peace with God is enjoyed; for such peace comes only through the faith which rests on Christ and His work. But it remains true, that he that heareth reproof getteth sense, and he that getteth sense loveth his own soul. The other word that accompanies this is of great value, “he that keepeth understanding shall find good,” and good better than silver or gold. It is well to get, and better still to keep, what is so excellent.
Those who hear and say much have to lay to heart the next solemn warning; “a false witness shall not be held innocent, and one uttering lies shall (not merely be punished, but) perish.” It is most hateful to God and most injurious to man. No one can say where the evil may spread, or how it may end here; but we do know how the Lord judges it forever.
Luxury is good for none; but it is above all unseemly for the fool who makes it his enjoyment and his god. The wise man was given to add that worse still is it for a servant to have rule over princes: who so vain and tyrannical?
To indulge in anger hastily is ever a danger, as it is true discretion to be slow in yielding to it. Better still is it to pass over an offense however real. It is his glory. He that is higher than the highest sets the pattern of grace.
On kings it is peculiarly incumbent how they dispense their censure or their favor. If they mistake either way (and there is no small danger of it), the effect is pernicious beyond measure. How happy for the believer to have to do readily and directly with the Highest who never errs, though we are so prone to mistakes.
The next words take up the afflictions of family life; and give us salutary judgment. It is not merely a fool here, but “a foolish son,” and he surely is “the calamity of his father.” There is another who brings the calamity nearer still and more constantly, a contentious wife. Her cross and fractious spirit is a continual dropping. Not a spot in the house is safe from her turmoil.
Hence the importance of so looking to the Lord for a gracious and faithful counterpart. If house and wealth are an inheritance of fathers, as it generally was in Israel, a prudent wife was from Jehovah. What were the rest, however choice or abundant, where the meekness of wisdom failed in her who shared it all? If all else materially lacked, what comfort and happiness in having one from Jehovah who had His light within and around her?