But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not.
Ver. 36. But the people held their peace.] They punished him with silence, as Isaac did Ishmael. Sile, et funestam dedisti plagam, saith Chrysostom. Silence is the best answer to words of scorn and petulancy, saith learned Hooker. Convitia spreta exolescunt, saith Tacitus. It is best to stop an open mouth with saying nothing, saith Basil. a "But I as a deaf man heard not: yea, I was as one dumb, in whose mouth there is no reproof." Psa 38:14 Princes use to punish the indecencies of ambassadors by denying them audience. Rabshakeh could not be more spited than with no answer. This sulphurous flask therefore dieth in his own smoke, only leaving a hateful stench behind it.
a Sιωπη τον ονειδον πνιγειν δει. - Bas., Eph 72.