Bridges on Proverbs 17:26
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 17:26
 
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26.  Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
 
Often is the wise man's meaning much beyond his words. To punish the just not only is not good, but it is “the abomination” (Verse 15) — “an evident token of perdition.” (Philippians 1:28.) If rulers are “a terror to good works,” they are Ministers of God in authority, but Ministers of Satan in administration. And how will such injustice “abide the day of his coming,” when he shall “lay judgment to the line, and righteousness to the plummet”!
Not less wicked is the sin of the people. To strike princes is high treason against God. The Apostle confessed the unwilling sin of his smiting words. Much more guilty is it to strike them for equity. A godly king — ruling in equity, “scattering away all evil with his eyes” — will raise to himself many and powerful enemies. The evil-minded will undermine his influence, or resist his authority. If they dare not strike him openly, they will “curse him in their thoughts.” To strike, even in word, is our sin. To pray is our duty. And who knoweth what a prayer-hearing God would send — a righteous administration, a covert and blessing to the land?
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
See this same meiosis. Chapter 16:29; 18:5; 20:23. Psalm 51:17. Ezekiel 36:31.
 

 
Proverbs 16:29
29 ¶ A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
 
Proverbs 18:15
5 ¶ It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
 
Proverbs 20:23
23 ¶ Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good. {a false...: Heb. balance of deceit}
 
Psalm 51:17
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
 
Ezekiel 36:31
31 Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 17:15
15 ¶ He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.
 
 
Philippians 1:28
28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
 
 
Footnote:
1 Kings 21:11-13. Matthew 26:3, 4. Acts 4:1-3.
 

 
1 Kings 21:11-13
11 And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was written in the letters which she had sent unto them. 12 They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people. 13 And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died.
 
Matthew 26:3, 4
3 Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, 4 And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.
 
Acts 4:1-3
1 ¶ And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, {captain: or, ruler} 2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Isaiah 28:17, with Malachi 3:2, 5.
 

 
Isaiah 28:17
17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
 
with
Malachi 3:2, 5
2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: 5 And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts. {oppress: or, defraud}
 
 
Footnote:
Job 34:18.
 

 
Job 34:18
18 Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?
 
 
Footnote:
Acts 23:5. Compare 1 Samuel 24:5, 6; 2 Samuel 16:5-7.
 

 
Acts 23:5
5 Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.
 
Compare
1 Samuel 24:5, 6
5 And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt. 6 And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.
 
2 Samuel 16:5-7
5 ¶ And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came. {he came forth...: or, he still came forth and cursed} 6 And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. 7 And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial: {bloody...: Heb. man of blood}
 
 
Footnote:
Chapter 20:8.
 

 
Proverbs 20:8
8 ¶ A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
 
 
Footnote:
2 Samuel 15:1-6.
 

 
2 Samuel 15:1-6
1 ¶ And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2 And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. {came: Heb. to come} 3 And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. {there...: or, none will hear thee from the king downward} 4 Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! 5 And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. 6 And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
 
 
Footnote:
2 Samuel 20:1.
 

 
2 Samuel 20:1
1 ¶ And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.
 
 
Footnote:
Ecclesiastes 10:20.
 

 
Ecclesiastes 10:20
20 Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter. {thought: or, conscience}
 
 
Footnote:
2 Peter 2:10. Jude 8.
 

 
2 Peter 2:10
10 ¶ But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. {government: or, dominion}
 
Jude 8.
8 ¶ Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
 
 
Footnote:
1 Timothy 2:1-3. 2 Samuel 23:3. Isaiah 32:1, 2.
 

 
1 Timothy 2:1-3
1 ¶ I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; {exhort: or, desire} 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. {authority: or, eminent place} 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
 
2 Samuel 23:3
3 The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. {He...: or, Be thou ruler, etc}
 
Isaiah 32:1, 2
1 ¶ Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment. 2 And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. {great: Heb. heavy}