Proverbs 21:1 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

The king's heart His very inward purposes and inclinations, which seem to be most in a man's own power, and out of the reach of all other beings; and much more his tongue, and hand, and all his outward actions; are in the hand of the Lord Subject to the influence, control, and government of the great Lord of all. As the rivers of water Which husbandmen, or gardeners, can draw by little channels into the adjacent grounds, as they please. He names kings, not to exclude other men, but because they are more arbitrary and uncontrollable than others. He turneth it Hebrew, ישׂנו, he inclineth, or bendeth it; whithersoever he will So that they fulfil his counsels and designs, either of mercy, or of correction to themselves, or to their people. God does this partly by suggesting those considerations to their minds which have a commanding influence upon their wills and affections, and partly by a powerful, although insensible operation upon their minds and hearts.