He that gathereth in summer [is] a wise son: [but] he that sleepeth in harvest [is] a son that causeth shame.
Ver. 5. He that gathereth in summer.] A well chosen season is the greatest advantage of any action, which, as it is seldom found in haste, so it is too often lost in delay. The men of Issachar were in great account with David, because "they had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do," and when to do it; 1Ch 12:32 so are they in great account with God for their wisdom who observe and use the season of well doing.
But he that sleepeth in harvest,] i.e., That lets slip his opportunity; as Plutarch writes of Hannibal, that when he could have taken Rome he would not, when he would he could not. And as it is told of Charles, king of Sicily and Jerusalem, that he was called Carolus Cuncator, Charles the Lingerer, not (in the sense as Fabius) because he stayed till opportunity came, but because he stayed till opportunity was lost.