John Gill

Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

“Hell and destruction are never full,.... The grave, as the word used often signifies; and which may be called "destruction", because bodies laid in it are soon corrupted and destroyed; and though bodies are cast into it and devoured by it, it is ready for…”

the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field.

“The lambs are for thy clothing,.... This is another argument, exciting to diligence in the pastoral calling, taken from the profit arising from it: the wool of the lambs, or rather "sheep", as many versions render it; of it cloth is made, and of that…”

Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse.

“Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness,.... See Gill on Pro 19:1; than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich; or, "in his two ways" (c): that halts between two ways, or makes use of both; sometimes turns to…”

He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor.

“He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance,.... By biting and oppressing the poor; letting him have money at an exorbitant interest, and goods at an exorbitant price, and so increases his substance in this scandalous manner; hence usury is in Lev 25:36…”

Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.

“As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear,.... Which are both terrible; the lion that roars for want of food, or when it is over its prey; and the hear, when it runs from place to place in quest of provision, being "hungry and very…”

A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days.

“The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor,.... Or, "much in oppressions" (o); he multiplies them, and abounds in them; he distresses his subjects in a variety of ways and methods he uses to extort money from them by which he shows his…”

A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; let no one support him.

“A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person,.... That sheds the blood of any in a violent manner; that lays violent hands upon a club, and takes away his life, contrary to the law in Gen 9:”

He who walks with integrity will be kept safe, but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.

“Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved, Or "be safe" (r) from those that seek his life, plot against him, shoot at him, as the wicked do at the upright in heart, but the Lord protects him; and it is even well with him in times…”

A faithful man will abound with blessings, but one eager to be rich will not go unpunished.

“A faithful man shall abound with blessings,.... Or, "a man of faithfulness" (u). A very faithful man, that is truly so; that is so in a moral sense; true to his work, makes good his promises, fulfils his contracts, abides by the obligations he lays…”

He who rebukes a man will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue.

“He that rebuketh a man,.... His friend and acquaintance, for any fault committed by him; which reproof he gives in a free and faithful manner, yet kind, tender, and affectionate.”

The righteous consider the cause of the poor, but the wicked have no regard for such concerns.

“The righteous considereth the cause of the poor,.... Not his poverty and distress, so as to relieve him, which yet he does, Psa 41:1; nor the person of the poor in judgment, and which he ought not to do; for as he should not regard…”

Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life.

“The bloodthirsty hate the upright,.... Cain did Abel; and as the wicked world hate all good men, and persecute them, even unto death; but the just must seek his soul; either the soul of the bloodthirsty, and that either the good of their souls; seek…”

A king who judges the poor with fairness—his throne will be established forever.

“The king that faithfully judgeth the poor,.... That truly executes justice and judgment among all his subjects, particularly the poor, who are too often neglected, because they cannot afford persons to plead their cause: such a king was Solomon; and especially the Messiah, of whom…”

Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the Law.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish,.... That is, "no prophecy", as the Vulgate Latin version renders it; and which is often the sense of the word, as the vision of Isaiah is the prophecy of Isaiah; and, in the New Testament, prophesying is…”

A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.

“A man's pride shall bring him low,.... As the pride of Adam, in affecting to be as gods, knowing good and evil; he lost the image of God; was brought into a state of darkness and ignorance, into debt and to a dunghill, to beggary…”

A partner to a thief hates his own soul; he receives the oath, but does not testify.

“Whoso is partner with a thief,.... That robs and steals, and raises away another man's property; which to do is sinful and contrary to the law of God, and punishable by it; and so it is to join with him in the theft, or to…”

An unjust man is detestable to the righteous, and one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked.

“An unjust man is an abomination to the just,.... Not his person, but his actions, his unrighteous actions, his ungodly life and conversation; which a man, holy, just, and good, loathes and abhors, and cannot forbear expressing his abhorrence of; and therefore shuns his company…”

Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.

“Every word of God is pure,.... The whole word of God. "All Scripture", given by inspiration of God, to which Agur directs, as giving the best account of God, of his name, nature, and perfections; of his Son, person, offices, and grace; being pure, very…”

Two things I ask of You—do not refuse me before I die:

“Two things have I required of thee,.... Or, "have asked of thee (a), O God"; as may be supplied, for the words are addressed to him.”

As for the eye that mocks a father and scorns obedience to a mother, may the ravens of the valley pluck it out and young vultures devour it.

“The eye that mocketh at his father,.... At his advice, admonitions, and instructions; looks upon him with scorn and disdain, and treats him as a weak, silly, old man: here Agur returns to the first generation he had observed; and despiseth to obey his mother…”

a servant who becomes king, a fool who is filled with food,

“For a servant, when he reigneth,.... Being unfit for it through his education, not having been trained up in and learned the arts of government and maxims of it; and through the disposition of his mind, which is mean, abject, and servile; and as he…”

Four things on earth are small, yet they are exceedingly wise:

“There be four things which are little upon the earth,.... Small in bulk, that have little bodies, are the lesser sort of animals; but they are exceeding wise; show a great deal of art and wisdom in what they do; or "but they are wise…”

a strutting rooster; a he-goat; and a king with his army around him.

“A greyhound,.... So Gersom interprets the word; but Jarchi owns he does not know what is meant; and Aben Ezra only says, it is the name of a living creature, but does not say what; but observes, that some interpret it of the "bee", and…”

Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed.

“Open thy mouth for the dumb,.... Not who are naturally so, but who cannot speak in their own behalf, either through want of elocution, or knowledge of the laws; or who are bashful, timorous, and fearful, being overawed by the majesty of a court of…”

A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.

“Who can find a virtuous woman,.... This part of the chapter is disjoined from the rest in the Septuagint and Arabic versions; and Huetius (t) thinks it is a composition of some other person, and not Lemuel's mother, whose words he supposes end at Pro…”