Proverbs 30:24-28 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

There be four things little, &c., but exceeding wise Comparatively to other brute creatures, they act very wisely and providently, through the direction of Divine Providence, which secretly influences them to do those things for their own preservation which are most agreeable to the rules of wisdom. The design of this observation Isaiah, 1 st, To commend wisdom to us, and to teach us to imitate the providence of these creatures, as we are excited, Proverbs 6:6, to imitate their diligence; 2d, To keep us from being proud of our own wisdom, because we are either equalled or exceeded therein by brute creatures, in the wise conduct of their affairs; and, 3d, To direct us to whom to apply for wisdom when we want and desire it, even to that God who inspires such wisdom even into irrational animals. The ants are a people Which title is often given to insects, and other inferior creatures, both in the Scriptures, (see Joel 1:6; Joel 2:2,) and in Homer, and Virgil, and divers other authors; yet they prepare their meat in the summer Of which see on Proverbs 6:6-8. The conies are but a feeble folk Rather, the rock-rats, or mountain-mice: see on Leviticus 11:5. Yet make their houses in the rocks In the holes of rocks, where they secure themselves against their too potent enemies. The locusts have no king To rule and order them; yet they go forth all of them by bands In great numbers, in several companies, and in exact order, as is observed in Scripture, and in other authors. The spider taketh hold Of the threads which she spins out of her own bowels; with her hands With her legs, which he calls hands, because they serve her for the same use to do her work, to weave her web, and to catch gnats or flies. And is in kings' palaces Is not only in poor cottages, but many times in palaces also.