Bridges on Proverbs 19:10
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 19:10
 
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10.  Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
 
What has a fool to do with delight? This world's prosperity, so far as he knows it, can only be a curse to him. (Chapter 1:32.) Delight “is comely to the righteous” (Psalm 33:1), suitable to his character. He has a right and title to it. (Ib. 32:11.) But it is not seemly for the fool. He has indeed his merriment and folly.† But solid joy he knows not. Far more suitable to him is a chastening rod.† And should the Lord graciously sanctify this dispensation — as in how many instances he has done so! — it will introduce him to that “delight which will then be seemly to him.”†
Much less seemly is the exhibition of a servant having rule over princes. Such an elevation is dangerous to the individual.† In the kingdom, it is one of the “things which the earth cannot bear.” (Chapter 30:22.) The servant has indeed the same rational power with his Sovereign. But contracted habits of mind unfit him to rule. Exceptions there are, as in the case of Joseph. (Genesis 41:39-45.) But seldom is God's order reversed without anarchy and confusion.† Such was the reign of our second Edward, when worthless minions had rule over the prince; chosen either for their external accomplishments, or for their subserviency to his folly. Peace and happiness belong to godly contentment. (1 Timothy 6:6.) “Let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.” (1 Corinthians 7:24.) To those whom he has placed in a subordinate station, our Father's voice is full of instruction — “Seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not.” (Jeremiah 45:5.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 1:32
32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. {turning...: or, ease of the simple}
 
 
Psalm 33:1
1 ¶ Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.
 
 
Psalm 32:11
11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.
 
 
Footnote:
1 Samuel 25:25. Ecclesiastes 7:5, 6. Isaiah 5:11, 12; 22:12-14. Hosea 7:3-5. Amos 6:3-6.
 
 
1 Samuel 25:25
25 Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send. {regard: Heb. lay it to his heart} {Nabal: that is, Fool}
 
Ecclesiastes 7:5, 6
5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. 6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity. {crackling: Heb. sound}
 
Isaiah 5:11, 12
11 Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! {inflame: of, pursue} 12 And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.
 
Isaiah 22:12-14
12 And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth: 13 And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die. 14 And it was revealed in mine ears by the LORD of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.
 
Hosea 7:3-5
3 They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies. 4 They are all adulterers, as an oven heated by the baker, who ceaseth from raising after he hath kneaded the dough, until it be leavened. {who...: or, the raiser will cease} {raising: or, waking} 5 In the day of our king the princes have made him sick with bottles of wine; he stretched out his hand with scorners. {bottles...: or, heat through wine}
 
Amos 6:3-6
3 Ye that put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near; {seat: or, habitation} 4 That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall; {stretch...: or, abound with superfluities} 5 That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David; {chant: or, quaver} 6 That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph. {wine...: or, in bowls of wine} {affliction: Heb. breach}
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Chapter 10:13, 14; 26:3.
 
 
Proverbs 10:13
13 ¶ In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding. {of understanding: Heb. of heart}
 
Proverbs 26:3
3 ¶ A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
 
 
Footnote:
2 Chronicles 33:11-13. Luke 15:14-24.
 
 
2 Chronicles 33:11-13
11 ¶ Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. {of the king: Heb. which were the king's} {fetters: or, chains} 12 And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, 13 And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.
 
Luke 15:14-24
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Esther 3:1, 2; 7:10. ‘Ex insolentiâ, quibus nova bona fortuna det, impotentes lætitiæ insanire.’ Liv. Lib. 30. c. 42. Compare Lib. 23. c. 18.
 
 
Esther 3:1, 2
1 ¶ After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. 2 And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.
 
Esther 7:10
10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.
 
 
Proverbs 30:[21], 22
[21 For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear:] 22 For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;
 
 
Genesis 41:39-45
39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: 40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. {be ruled: Heb. be armed, or, kiss} 41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. 42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; {fine...: or, silk} 43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. {Bow...: or, Tender father: Heb. Abrech} 44 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. 45 And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt. {Zaphnathpaaneah: which in the Coptic signifies, A revealer of secrets, or, The man to whom secrets are revealed} {priest: or, prince}
 
 
Footnote:
2 Samuel 3:24, 25, 39. Isaiah 3:5.
 
 
2 Samuel 3:24, 25, 39
24 Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone? 25 Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest. 39 And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness. {weak: Heb. tender}
 
Isaiah 3:5
5 And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable.
 
 
1 Timothy 6:17, 18
6 ¶ But godliness with contentment is great gain.
 
 
1 Corinthians 7:24
24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.
 
 
Jeremiah 45:5
5 And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the LORD: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest.