Proverbs Chapter 9

9:1 Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars.

(a) Christ has prepared him a Church.
(b) That is, many chief supports and principal parts of his Church, as were the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, pastors and teachers.

9:2 She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table.

9:3 She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city:

9:4 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,

9:5 "Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!

(f) By meat and drink is meant the word of God, and the ministration of the sacraments, by which God nourishes his servants in his house which is the Church.

9:6 Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding."

9:7 He who corrects a mocker invites insult. He who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.

9:8 Don't reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise man, and he will love you.

(h) Meaning them who are incorrigible, which Christ calls dogs and swine: or he speaks this in comparison, not that the wicked should not be rebuked, but he shows their malice, and the small hope of the profit.

9:9 Instruct a wise man, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

9:10 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

(i) He shows what true understanding is, to know the will of God in his word which is meant by holy things.

9:11 For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.

9:12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.

9:13 The foolish woman is loud, Undisciplined, and knows nothing.

(l) By the foolish woman, some understand the wicked preachers, who counterfeit the word of God: as appears in (Proverbs 9:16) which were the words of the true preachers as in (Proverbs 9:4) but their doctrine is as stolen waters: meaning that they are men’s traditions, which are more pleasant to the flesh than the word of God, and therefore they themselves boast of it.

9:14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

9:15 To call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,

9:16 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here." as for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,

9:17 "Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant."

9:18 But he doesn't know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of [6] Sheol [See Proverbs Footnotes 6].