Proverbs 20:18 [Every] purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.
Ver. 18. Every purpose is established by counsel.] That thy proceedings be not either unconstant or uncomfortable, deliberate long ere thou resolve on any enterprise. a Advise with God especially, who hath said, "Woe be to the rebellious children that take counsel, but not of me." Isa 30:1 David had able counsellors about him: but those he most esteemed and made use of were God's testimonies. "Thy testimonies also are my delight, and the men of my counsel." Psa 119:24 Princes had learned men ever with them, called Mνημονες, remembrancers, monitors, counsellors; as Themistocles had his Anaxagoras; Alexander his Aristotle; Scipio his Panaetius and Polybius: of which latter Pausanias b testifieth, that he was so great a politician, that what he advised never miscarried. But that is very remarkable that Gellius reports of Scipio Africanus, that it was his custom before day to go into the capital in cellam Iovis, and there to stay a great while, quasi consultans de Rep cum Iove, as if he were there advising with his god concerning the commonwealth. Whence it was that his deeds were pleraque admiranda, admirable for the most part, saith the author. c But we have a better example. David in all his straits went to ask counsel of the Lord, who answered him. Do we so, and God will not fail us, for he hath made Christ wisdom unto us, and a "wonderful counsellor." 1Co 1:30 Isa 9:6
And with good advice make war.] Ahab in this might have been a precedent to good Josiah. He would not go against Ramothgilead, till he had first advised with his false prophets. But that other peerless prince, though the famous prophet Jeremiah was then living, and Zephaniah, and a whole college of seers, yet he doth not so much as once send out of doors to ask, Shall I go up against the king of Egypt? Sometimes both grace and wit are asleep in the holiest and wariest breasts. The soldiers' rule among the Romans was, Non sequi, non fugere bellum. d Neither to fly, nor to follow after war. The Christian motto is, Nec temere nec timide, Be neither temerarious nor timorous. And that is a very true saying of the Greek poet, “η βραδυπους βουλη μεν αμεινων: η δε παχεια αι Aιεν ε φελκουενηενην την μετανοιαν εχει.” - Lucian.
a Deliberandum est diu quod statuendum est semel.
b Pausan, lib. viii.
c Gell, lib. vii.
d Veget., lib. i. c. 17.