A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
Ver. 14. A gift in secret pacifieth anger.] That is, say some, Alms rightly performed Mat 6:1 pacifieth God's displeasure - compare Daniel 4:27; and the Jews at this day write this sentence of Solomon (in an abbreviation) upon their alms box. a This sense suits well with the previous verse; but I conceive the wise man's drift here is to show how prevalent gifts are, if closely conveyed especially - which takes away the shame of open receiving - and what a pave they have to an amicable reconciliation. Thus Jacob pacified Esau; Abigail, David; Hezekiah, the Assyrian that came up against him. 2Ki 18:24-25 Howbeit this doth not always do the deed. Our chronicler tells us that the Lady de Bruse had, by her virulent and railing tongue, more exasperated the fury of King John, whom she reviled as a tyrant and a murderer of her husband, than could be pacified by her strange present - viz., four hundred kine and one bull, all milk-white, except only the ears, which were red - sent unto the queen. b See Trapp on " Pro 17:8 "
a Buxtorf., Synag. Jud.
b Speed, p. 572.