The Pulpit Commentary — Proverbs — Section 133

CHAPTER VI. connection which, thougl1 not clear at :first eight, is not on that account less real or Vers. l---35.-Tbe sixthchapterembro.ces true. The subject treated of in the pre- four distinct discourses, each of which is a ceding cho.pter is the hnppinese of the wo.ruing. The subjects treated of are (l) married life, o.nd this is imperilled by in- suretyship (vers. 1-5); (2) sloth (vers. 6- cautious undertaking ,of , suretyship, o.nd 11); (3) malice (vers. 12-19); and (4) suretyship, it is maintained, induces sloth, adultery (ver. 20 to the end). The con- while sloth leads to mnliciousnP.ss. After tinuity of the subject treo.ted of in the pre- treating of snretyship, sloth, nnd malice in ceding chapter appears to be somewhat succession, the teacher recurs to the former abruptly interrupted to make wo.y for the subject of his discourse, viz. impurity of iusertion of three discourses on subjects life, o.gninst whir-h he gives impressive which npparently have little <'.Onnection wo.rnings. That such is the true view there with what precedes o.nd what follows. appears little doubt. One vice is intimately 'fbeir unlooked-for and unexpected o.ppear- connected with another, o.nd the verdict of ance has led Hitzig to regard them as inter- experience is thnt o. life of idleness is one polntious, bot it has been conclusively of the most prolific sources of a life of im- pointed out by Delitzsch that there is suffi- purity. Hence we find Ovid saying- cient intemal evidence, in the grammatical construction, figures, word-formations, de- " Qumritur, 1Egisthus, quO. re sit fo.otus lineations, and threatenings, to establish the ndulter? In promptu co.usa cst-dcsidiosus ero.t." position that they proceeded from the same hand that composed the rest of the book "Do you nsk why .lEgislhus has become an adulterer? and to guarantee their genuineness. But The reason is close at ho.nd-he wns full another and not less interesting question of idleuoss." :i.rises as to whether any connection subsists between these discourses and the subject Within the sphere of these discourses them- selves the internal connection is distinctly which they apparently interrupt. Such o. observable, vers, 16-19 being a refro.in connection is altogether denied 1,y Delitzscl1, of vers, 12-15, and the phro.se, "to stir up Zuckler, and other German commentators, strife," closing each enumeration (see vers. who look upon them as independent dis- 14 and 19). courses, and maintain that, if there is any Vc1·s. 1-5.-9. Ninth admonitory dia- connection, it can be only external and course. 1Varning against suretyship. accidentu.l. On the other hand, Bishops Patrick and Wordsworth discover an ethical Ver. 1.-The contents of this l!C'otton are CJ!. VI. 1-35.] THE PROVERBS. 123