Proverbs 24 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Destruction — How they may oppress and destroy others.

Through wisdom — There is no need that thou shouldest raise thy family by ruining others, which thou mayest more effectually do by wisdom.

By knowledge — Which in scripture phrase includes the love and practice of what we know.

Is strong — Is courageous and resolute, and able by wisdom to do greater things than others can accomplish by strength.

Thy war — War is better managed by wisdom than by strength.

A fool — For a wicked man, whose sins enfeeble his mind, and make it incapable of wisdom. Openeth not — He knows not how to speak acceptably, and profitably in the publick assembly.

Shall be called — Though he cover his wicked devices with fair pretences, he shall be branded with that infamy which is due to him.

The thought — The very inward thought or contrivance of evil, is a sin in God's sight.

Deliver — When it is in thy power. Drawn — By the violence of lawless men.

Consider — That this is only a frivolous excuse.

Eat — This is not a command, but a concession, and is only here expressed to illustrate the following verse. Honey in those parts was an usual food.

A reward — It is not only sweet for the present, but brings a sure and everlasting reward.

Falleth — Into calamities, of which he evidently speaks both in the foregoing verse, and in the following branch of this verse. Fall — Frequently into irrecoverable destruction.

Falleth — Into mischief.

From him — Understand, upon thee, which is implied in the Hebrew phrase.

No reward — All his happiness shall quickly and eternally perish. The candle — All their comfort and glory shall cease.

To change — That are unstable in their obedience to God or to the king.

Who knoweth — Who can conceive how sore and sudden will be the ruin of them that fear not God, and the king.

These — The counsels following, to the end of the chapter, no less than those hitherto mentioned, are worthy of their consideration.

Rebuke — That publickly and judicially rebuke and condemn the wicked. Delight — The peace of a good conscience.

Shall kiss — Shall respect him. A right answer — That speaks pertinently and plainly, and truly.

Received — I learned wisdom by his folly.