Proverbs 24 · John Wesley
Sick - I was not sensible of it. Again - At present my condition requires sleep to settle myself, and when I am composed, I purpose to return to my former course.
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.
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.