Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth,.... These words are spoken not to the wicked man, Pr 24:15; but to the just man, or Solomon's son, or the children of Wisdom; for by the "enemy" is meant such who are at enmity with the people of God, as the seed of the serpent, and those after the flesh, are: and when these "fall", saints should not "rejoice"; as when they fall into sin; for so to do would be to act as wicked "charity [which] rejoiceth not in iniquity", 1Co 13:6: or rather when they fill into calamity and distress; for this is also the part which wicked men act towards the people of God, and should not be imitated in; see Ob 1:12.
Bible Commentary
Proverbs 24:17
Proverbs 24:17
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible · John Gill (1697–1771) · Public Domain
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Proverbs 24 — OverviewProverbs 24 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleThe Excellence of Wisdom.Proverbs 24 — OverviewProverbs 24 · Little Bible — for children and parentsProverbs 24 covers a wide range of wisdom: stay away from evil people, build your life with wisdom, help those in danger, do not gloat over your enemies, do not be lazy, and be honest in all your dealings. The chapter…Proverbs 24:17-18Proverbs 24:17-18 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleHere, 1. The pleasure we are apt to take in the troubles of an enemy is
forbidden us. If any have done us an ill turn, or if we bear them
ill-will only because they stand in our light or in our way, when any…Proverbs 24:17Proverbs 24:17 · Treasury of Scripture KnowledgeProverbs 17:5; Judges 16:25; 2 Samuel 16:5-14; Job 31:29; Psalms 35:15, Psalms 35:19, Psalms 42:10; Obadiah 1:12; 1 Corinthians 13:6-7Proverbs 24:17Proverbs 24:17 · Little Bible — for children and parentsThis is a counter-cultural command: natural human instinct is to feel satisfied when an enemy falls. But God forbids it. Gloating over an enemy's failure is a sign of pride and a lack of love — it is not wisdom.
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