Proverbs 28

1 Evil people run even though no one is chasing them, but good people are as brave as a lion.

2 When a country is lawless, it has one ruler after another; but when it is led by a man with understanding and knowledge, it continues strong.

3 Rulers who mistreat the poor are like a hard rain that destroys the crops.

4 Those who disobey what they have been taught praise the wicked, but those who obey what they have been taught are against them.

5 Evil people do not understand justice, but those who follow the Lord understand it completely.

6 It is better to be poor and innocent than to be rich and wicked.

7 Children who obey what they have been taught are smart, but friends of troublemakers disgrace their parents.

8 Some people get rich by overcharging others, but their wealth will be given to those who are kind to the poor.

9 If you refuse to obey what you have been taught, your prayers will not be heard.

10 Those who lead good people to do wrong will be ruined by their own evil, but the innocent will be rewarded with good things.

11 Rich people may think they are wise, but the poor with understanding will prove them wrong.

12 When good people triumph, there is great happiness, but when the wicked get control, everybody hides.

13 If you hide your sins, you will not succeed. If you confess and reject them, you will receive mercy.

14 Those who are always respectful will be happy, but those who are stubborn will get into trouble.

15 A wicked ruler is as dangerous to poor people as a roaring lion or a charging bear.

16 A ruler without wisdom will be cruel, but the one who refuses to take dishonest money will rule a long time.

17 Don't help those who are guilty of murder; let them run until they die.

18 Innocent people will be kept safe, but those who are dishonest will suddenly be ruined.

19 Those who work their land will have plenty of food, but the ones who chase empty dreams instead will end up poor.

20 A truthful person will have many blessings, but those eager to get rich will be punished.

21 It is not good for a judge to take sides, but some will sin for only a piece of bread.

22 Selfish people are in a hurry to get rich and do not realize they soon will be poor.

23 Those who correct others will later be liked more than those who give false praise.

24 Whoever robs his father or mother and says, "It's not wrong," is just like someone who destroys things.

25 A greedy person causes trouble, but the one who trusts the Lord will succeed.

26 Those who trust in themselves are foolish, but those who live wisely will be kept safe.

27 Whoever gives to the poor will have everything he needs, but the one who ignores the poor will receive many curses.

28 When the wicked get control, everybody hides, but when they die, good people do well.

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Proverbs 28 Commentary

Chapter 28

Verse 1 Sin makes men cowards. Whatever difficulties the righteous meet in the way of duty, they are not daunted. Verse 2 . National sins disturb the public repose. Verse 3 . If needy persons get opportunities of oppressing, their extortion will be more severe than that of the more wealthy. Verse 4 . Wicked people strengthen one another in wicked ways. Verse 5 . If a man seeks the Lord, it is a good sign that he understands much, and it is a good means of understanding more. Verse 6 . An honest, godly, poor man, is better than a wicked, ungodly, rich man; has more comfort in himself, and is a greater blessing to the world. Verse 7 . Companions of riotous men not only grieve their parents, but shame them. Verse 8 . That which is ill got, though it may increase much, will not last long. Thus the poor are repaid, and God is glorified. Verse 9 . The sinner at whose prayers God is angry, is one who obstinately refuses to obey God's commands. Verse 10 . The success of ungodly men is their own misery. Verse 11 . Rich men are so flattered, that they think themselves superior to others. Verse 12 . There is glory in the land when the righteous have liberty. Verse 13 . It is folly to indulge sin, and excuse it. He who covers his sins, shall not have any true peace. He who humbly confesses his sins, with true repentance and faith, shall find mercy from God. The Son of God is our great atonement. Under a deep sense of our guilt and danger, we may claim salvation from that mercy which reigns through righteousness unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord. Verse 14 . There is a fear which causes happiness. Faith and love will deliver from the fear of eternal misery; but we should always fear offending God, and fear sinning against him. Verse 15 . A wicked ruler, whatever we may call him, this scripture calls a roaring lion, and a ranging bear. Verse 16 . Oppressors want understanding; they do not consult their own honour, ease, and safety. Verse 17 . The murderer shall be haunted with terrors. None shall desire to save him from deserved punishment, nor pity him. Verse 18 . Uprightness will give men holy security in the worst times; but the false and dishonest are never safe. Verse 19 . Those who are diligent, take the way to live comfortably. Verse 20 . The true way to be happy, is to be holy and honest; not to raise an estate suddenly, without regard to right or wrong. Verse 21 . Judgment is perverted, when any thing but pure right is considered. Verse 22 . He that hastens to be rich, never seriously thinks how quickly God may take his wealth from him, and leave him in poverty. Verse 23 . Upon reflection, most will have a better opinion of a faithful reprover than of a soothing flatterer. Verse 24 . Here is the wickedness of those who think it no sin to rob their parents, by wheedling them or threatening them, or by wasting what they have, and running into debt. Verse 25 . Those make themselves always easy, that live in continual dependence upon God and his grace, and live by faith. Verse 26 . A fool trusts to his own strength, merit, and righteousness. And trusts to his own heart, which is not only deceitful above all things, but which has often deceived him. Verse 27 . A selfish man not only will not look out for objects of compassion, but will look off from those that call for his attention. Verse 28 . When power is put into the hands of the wicked, wise men decline public business. If the reader will go diligently over this and the other chapters, in many places where at first he may suppose there is least of Christ, still he will find what will lead to him.

Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 15

In this chapter we have a short history of the reign of Abijam, 1Ki 15:1-8 and of Asa, 1Ki 14:9-24, both kings of Judah; and of the reigns of Nadab the son of Jeroboam, and of Baasha, who destroyed his family, both kings of Israel, 1Ki 15:25-34.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible