Chapter 21

1. The king’s heart. Because of the great influence their position gives them, kings can affect large numbers of people. To cause all things to work together for good it is often necessary for God to turn the hearts of kings toward paths they would not otherwise have followed. Thus Cyrus was moved to order the Temple rebuilt (2 Chron. 36:22, 23; Isa. 44:28; Dan. 10:13). This directing of hearts does not interfere with a man’s freedom to choose whether or not he will follow the path of salvation. In the judgment every soul will see that God has done everything possible to awaken a determination to surrender to the re-creating power of the Holy Spirit, and that he is lost because of his own refusal to make that surrender and to permit that power to work in him (see Isa. 45:22–24; John 1:9; Titus 2:11; GC 668).

2. Is right in his own eyes. See on ch. 16:2; cf. chs. 14:12; 16:25; 20:24.

3. Than sacrifice. Compare 1 Sam. 15:22.

4. Plowing. The ancient versions and a number of Hebrew manuscripts read “lamp.” In the Hebrew the difference is one only of vowels, the word for “plowing” being nir and the one for “lamp” ner. Light is probably used as a symbol of prosperity and joy. Arrogance, pride, and a selfish joy, which are not founded upon obedience, are all displeasing to God. The word nir actually means “to till for the first time” (see Jer. 4:3; Hosea 10:12).

5. Thoughts of the diligent. The plans of the hard-working man are likely to bring prosperity because of the efforts put forth, while those of the hasty, careless worker will probably fail even if they are good plans. “Hasty” may also refer to those hasty to become rich (see ch. 28:20).

6. A vanity tossed. Literally, “a driven breath.” Those who seek to establish fame and fortune upon lies are a mere breath that will suddenly pass away.

7. Destroy them. The unjust behavior of the wicked brings its own results (see Ps. 9:15; Prov. 1:18, 19)

9. Housetop. In ancient Palestine for most of the year a man might live in comparative comfort on the flat roof of his house (see 1 Sam. 9:25, 26). Solomon contends that it is better to be exposed to the wind and rain than to the quarrelsome and vexing tongue of a contentious woman (see Prov. 19:13; 27:15).

10. Findeth no favour. To a man of evil desires, nothing seems so important as the carrying out of his wicked plottings. Vice makes a man selfish and hardhearted, not only to his neighbor, but to his own family (see Isa. 26:10).

11. Is made wise. Compare ch. 19:25.

12. The righteous man. Some render this expression “a [or the] righteous One,” and apply it to God, thus avoiding the need to insert a different subject for the second clause. God keeps watch over the just and the unjust, to protect the one and to bring down the other when he becomes a menace (Job 12:19; Prov. 22:12). However, the correct translation of this verse is a matter of uncertainty. The ancient versions retain the idea “righteous man.” The LXX renders the verse, “A righteous man understands the hearts of the ungodly: and despises the ungodly for their wickedness.”

13. Stoppeth his ears. Callous behavior may bring retribution in this life and is certain to be visited in the judgment to come (see Prov. 14:21; Matt. 18:23–35; 25:41–46; Luke 6:38; James 2:13).

16. Of the dead. To forsake understanding, to reject the fear of the Lord, is to ensure for oneself an eternal place with the dead (Mal. 4:1; Rev. 20:9).

17. Loveth pleasure. Pleasure is here paralleled with wine and oil. Feasting and carousing typify the prodigality that produces want.

18. A ransom. Heb. kopher, here not to be construed in a religious sense. There is nothing in the rest of the Scriptures to support the idea that the salvation of the righteous is in any way dependent on the wicked. The second clause, compared with a similar passage (ch. 11:8), suggests that the trouble from which the righteous is saved comes upon those who refuse the way of salvation. Kopher occurs in Isa. 43:3, where God says, “I gave Egypt for thy ransom.”

19. Angry woman. See on v. 9.

20. Oil. Instead of “oil” the LXX has a verb, “will rest.” This version renders the verse, “A desirable treasure will rest on the mouth of the wise; but foolish men will swallow it up.”

21. Righteousness. Not one who seeks to find righteousness and mercy from God is here pointed out, but one who deals uprightly and mercifully with others.

22. Casteth down. When wisdom proves itself mightier than the might of those who think force is the only thing worth striving for, they lose confidence in material power.

23. Keepeth his mouth. See on ch. 13:3; cf. ch. 18:21.

24. Proud wrath. Critics of holy things are often filled with such an excess of pride in their own abilities that there seems no limit to the skeptical attacks they are willing to make (see 2 Peter 3:3–7).

25. Killeth him. Everything that makes for success and honor in this life and the next seems to die away from the slothful, leaving them little better than the brute beasts (see chs. 13:4; 19:24).

27. A wicked mind. Any sacrifice made by an unrepentant sinner is unacceptable (see on ch. 15:8), how much more when it is brought with some evil design, either to bribe the Lord to overlook his sin or to make an appearance of piety to deceive men. Yet there are many who give to church or charity a share of the proceeds of their extortionate dealings with a vague idea that they have made things right with God (see MH 340).

28. The man that heareth. The meaning of this clause is uncertain. Some interpret it as observing that the word of “the man that heareth” stands unchallenged continually because his ear is quick to hear the commands of God and the counsel of man. The LXX renders the clause “an obedient man will speak cautiously.” By contrast the word of a liar perishes when it meets truth (see chs. 6:19; 19:5, 9).

29. Directeth his way. The bold, unprincipled man takes a position without concern for right or wrong and then is too obstinate to change. The upright man is quick to change a way that further consideration shows to be wrong. It is this continual desire to live in harmony with the will of God that fits him for heaven.

30. Against the Lord. The Hebrew for “against” may also be translated “before,” that is, “in the presence of” (Num. 22:32). Both meanings give good sense in this passage. Created beings have no wisdom or understanding that can compare with that of the Lord, nor can they defeat His counsels (Acts 4:25–30).

31. Safety. The horse is a symbol of military might. However well men may prepare for war, or any other great enterprise, victory or success is of the Lord (see Ps. 20:7; 33:17; 1 Cor. 15:57).

Ellen G. White comments

1    4T 537

4     4T 335

6     AH 391; Ed 136

21   ML 205

27   PK 323