Wisdom
Verse 1. Wisdom, and so forth This is not in Greek, and seems out of its place, being taken from Proverbs 16:32 or Eccles. 9:16. Calmet.—The connection with the preceding is observable in the next verse. Bible.
EXPLANATIONS
Wisdom 6
Historical chapter commentary
Wisdom
Verse 2. Kings. The author puts these words in the mouth of Solomon to give them greater weight, ( Calmet.) or rather ( Bible.) as the inspiration of God is the most unexceptionable authority, and it would be of no service to introduce a false personage speaking; these nine first chapters were written by Solomon, though the original has since disappeared. This has been the case with respect to the original text of Tobias and Judith, (Houbigant) as well as to that of the many canticles and parables which Solomon wrote. Bible.
Wisdom
Verse 4. Power. All power is from God, and to be respected, even though the magistrate should sometimes abuse his authority. Worthington. Romans 13:1.—They must render an account to the common master. 2 Chronicles 19:6.
Wisdom
Verse 6. Rule. How severely did God chastise Moses, David, and Ezechias.
Wisdom
Verse 7. Little, and ignorant. Those in power ought to know, and to perform their duty.
Wisdom
Verse 8. Equally. In proportion to their exigencies, or he punishes all as they deserve. It is not clear that he speaks of grace, as the Pelagians would assert, ( Calmet.) abusing this passage. See Saint Augustine ep. cvi. or clxxxvii.
Wisdom
Verse 9. Mighty. This cannot be too often inculcated, (verse 6) lest the great should forget God and themselves. Calmet.—Each must render an account of his charge, and be punished accordingly if he offend. Saint Gregory hom. ix. Evang. Worthington.
Wisdom
Verse 10. Kings. Septuagint “tyrants.” But this title was nor formerly odious.
Wisdom
Verse 11. Just. Septuagint “holy.” The Jewish judges were generally priests.—Answer. The sovereign judge, to whom Job and David confidently appeal.
Wisdom
Verse 13. Seek her. With the assistance of divine grace. Deuteronomy 30:11. Romans 10:6. The advantages of wisdom invite us to seek her. Calmet.
Wisdom
Verse 15. Door. Ready to introduce herself. Bible. Proverbs 1:20 and 8:34 and 9:1.)
Wisdom
Verse 16. Think. With eager desire to be guided by her maxims. Calmet.
Wisdom
Verse 17. Providence. To facilitate our just designs. Proverbs 9. Menochius.—She is on the watch to save us. Bible.
Wisdom
Verse 18. Discipline. We must begin with a sincere desire of instruction, and submit to correction, ( Calmet.) if we would come near to God, verse 20. Bible.—Wisdom is attained by this gradation. Worthington.
Wisdom
Verse 21. Everlasting is not in Greek. Wisdom conducts to the throne, (verse 22. Calmet.) which shall last for ever. Bible.—The sense of the Vulg. is very just. Calmet. 5:17.
Wisdom
Verse 24. Now. The pagans attributed the invention of wisdom to Socrates, or to Pythagoras. But she proceeds from the bosom of God, and was practised long before their times.
Wisdom
Verse 25. Envy. I will not imitate such. Calmet. 7:13. Wisdom ought to be diffused. Calmet.
Wisdom
Verse 26. World. The wicked is ransomed and healed by the wise. Philo.
Wisdom
Or, in the multitudes of your nations