The Pulpit Commentary — Proverbs — Section 215

EXPOSITION. times. So we read (2 Sam. xiv. 26) thnt. CHAPTER XI. Absalorn weighed his hair '' by the king's Ver. 1.-A false balance; literally,· atone" (eben). balances of deceit (eh. xx. 23). The repeti- Ver. 2.-Then cometh shame'(ch. xvi. 18: tion of the injuactions of Deut. x.xv. 13, 14 xviii. 12): litern,lly, cometh pride, cometh e.wl Lev. xix.. 35, 36 points to fraud conse- also ghame. Pride shall have e. fall; self- quent on increased commercial dealings, and assertion and self-confidence shall meet with the uecessity of moral and religious con- mortification e.nd disgre.ce in tbe end. siderations to cou1.rol practices which the " Whosoever exalteth himself. she.11 be civil authority could not adequately super- a.based" (Luke xiv. 11); ",Let him that vise. The standard weights and measures thinketh he ste.ndeth take heed lest he foll" were deposited in the sanctuary (Exod. (1 Cor. x. 'I 2). Septuagint,'' Where violence xxx. 13; Lev. xxvii. 25; 1 Chron. xxiii. (1/J'lo,s) entereth, there also dishonour." 29), but cupidity was not to be restrained But with the lowly is wisdom. "Mysteries' hy law, and the prophets had continually to e.re revee.led unto the meek" (Ecclus. iii. inveigh against this be,etting sin (see Ezek. 19, Oomplutensian; Ps. xxv. 9, 14). The xlv. 10; .Amos viii. 5; Micah vi. 11). humble are already rewarded with wisdom, Honesty an<l integrity e.re at the foundation because their disposition fits them to receive of M,cial c..lutieH, which the author is uow grace and God's gifts ( cowp. eh. :xv. 33). teaching. Bence comes the reiterat;on of Septuagint, "'fho mouth of the humble t],ese warnings (eh. xvi. 11; xx. 10). A meditatcth wisclom." j:!st weight; literally, a perfect stone, stones Ver. 3. - Tho integrity - the aim i,le LJvi•,g be,;n used ad weights from early straiglrtforwarducHs--of the upright shall  Oil. XI. 1-31.] THE PROVERBS. 21:,