28:1 The wicked flee Describes an attitude of guilty paranoia. This statement echoes one of the judgments of disobeying the law (Lev 26:17). Psalms 53:5 ascribes a similar attitude of fear and paranoia to the fool.

a lion Considered a mighty and courageous animal by the ancients.

28:4 Those who forsake instruction will praise the wicked Likens disobedience to praising the wicked. Keeping the law is a way of combating the wicked. God does not accept the prayer of the person who rejects the law (Prov 28:9), but He blesses the person who keeps it (29:18).

28:5 Men of evil do not understand justice Evil people do not understand justice, but those who seek Yahweh do. Elsewhere in Proverbs, wisdom is closely related to justice (1:3; 2:6–10; 8:20).

Justice

28:6 and walking in one’s integrity Like 19:1, this proverb shows that integrity is more valuable than wealth (see 10:9 and note). The crooked will be destroyed, while those who walk with integrity find deliverance (v. 18).

28:7 the companion of gluttons will shame his father Those who associate with gluttons not only shame their fathers, they also risk destruction (23:20–21).

28:8 with interest and with usury The law prohibited charging interest to a fellow Israelite (Exod 22:25; Lev 25:36–37). Those who increased their wealth through these measures would be illegally oppressing the impoverished, which is an insult to God (Prov 14:31).

28:10 into his pits he will fall Ultimately, the sin of the wicked will be exposed and will cause their own destruction. See note on 26:23–28.

28:11 A man of wealth is wise in his own eyes Proverbs 26:12 declares that people who are wise in their own eyes are worse off than the fool. This phrase describes the arrogance of a person who does not take advice (12:15). At times in Proverbs, wealth is seen to accompany wisdom (14:24), but this is not always the case (v. 6; see 15:16–17 and note).

28:12 When the righteous triumphs Implies that the welfare of society often rises or falls with the character of its leadership. See note on 11:10–11.

28:16 A ruler who lacks understanding The ruler was responsible for judging legal matters as well as governing the land (see 20:8 and note). A just king would benefit the land (29:4; see note on Eccl 10:16–17).

28:17 who is burdened The Hebrew word used here, ashaq, refers to oppression or extortion. In this instance, it most likely refers to a guilty conscience (v. 1).

28:18 He who walks in integrity will be safe Those who walk with integrity walk securely because Yahweh protects them, but that does not mean they will never encounter trouble. See 10:9 and note.

he who takes crooked paths will fall in one Wickedness is seen as a path of destruction throughout Proverbs, whereas the righteous and wise live peacefully and successfully. See note on 3:2.

28:19 will have plenty of poverty The hard worker will usually have plenty to eat, but the lazy or undisciplined person will be poor (24:30–34).

28:20 he who hurries to become rich This verse does not condemn wealth. The contrasting parallel with the faithful person indicates that this wealth was probably obtained unfairly (v. 8). It may also indicate that the person seeking wealth does so for personal glory (23:4–5; 28:11). Other proverbs indicate that the person who lives wisely will be wealthy (21:20) and that hard work leads to wealth (10:4; 12:27).

28:21 Showing partiality is not good The law prohibits partiality in judgment (Lev 19:15; Deut 1:17). This verse compares partiality with bribes—both are perversions of justice (Prov 17:23).

28:23 He who rebukes a person In Proverbs, rebuke is considered a valuable form of teaching and an active display of love. See note on 27:5.

28:27 For he who gives to the poor, there is no lacking Proverbs upholds the general principle that both kindness and stinginess will be reciprocated. See note on 3:2.

28:28 With the rising of the wicked, humankind will be hidden The nation suffers when the wicked—characterized by oppression and injustice—rise to positions of authority (see 29:2; see note on 11:10–11).