Proverbs 16:10 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

A divine sentence Hebrew, קסם, divination, (a word which is sometimes taken in a good sense for prudence, as Isaiah 3:2,) that is, great sagacity, and a piercing judgment to discern dubious and difficult cases; is in the lips of the king Of a wise king, who only is worthy of the name and office. Thus understood, the assertion was verified by fact in David, 2 Samuel 14:17; and in Solomon, 1 Kings 3:28. “God,” says Bishop Patrick, “is present, in a singular manner, with a pious king, inspiring his mind to divine sagaciously in dubious and obscure things; that his resolutions and decrees may be received like oracles; and all causes be decided by him so justly and exactly, that no man may be wronged in the judgment which he passes.” But as the verb is wanting, and there is nothing for is, in the Hebrew, the clause may be rendered, A divine sentence, or divination, should be in the lips of the king. Thus it speaks not so much of a matter of fact, as if it were thus in all kings, which is notoriously and confessedly untrue, as of the duty of kings, in whom wisdom is a necessary qualification; and thus the two proverbs, Proverbs 16:12-13, must be understood, otherwise they are repugnant to common experience. His mouth transgresseth not in judgment That is, does not easily transgress, or go beyond the bounds of justice, or truth, or piety, in pronouncing sentence, if he be truly wise and pious: or, should not transgress, if understood of kings in general.