Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
Ver. 11. The peaceable fruit of righteousness] That crown of righteousness wrought out unto us by afflictions,2 Corinthians 4:17, These are the preludes of our triumph, yea, a part of our salvation. Look therefore through the anger of God's corrections, saith one, to the sweetness of his love therein, as by a rainbow we see the beautiful image of the sun's light in the midst of the dark and waterish cloud. And look upon these afflictions as on so many wayward and touchy guests, which while they stay, watch every officer, but when they depart, they pay freely.
Unto them which are exercised thereby] Gr. exercised naked in the fencing school, as invincible champions. By suffering they are made more able to suffer, as well beaten soldiers, or porters to the cross. Thus David was better able to bear with Shimei, because he was under that great affliction of Absalom's rebellion.