Proverbs 29:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

NIV: When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.

NASB: When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, But when a wicked person rules, people groan.

CSB: When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, people groan.

NLT: When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan.

KJV: When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

NKJV: When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.

Earlier proverbs in this collection (Proverbs 25:1) noted a similar idea (Proverbs 28: 12, 15, 28). Godly leadership in a nation generally leads to good outcomes (Proverbs 11:10; 14:34; 20:26; 25:5). Oppressive rulers who ignore godly wisdom (Proverbs 8:12–17; 28:16) make their subjects miserable. Paul encouraged Timothy to instruct believers to pray for all government authorities. The goal of that prayer was "that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way" (1 Timothy 2:2). Prayer can influence whether a government contributes to believers' ability to worship, serve God effectively, and evangelize freely.

The Old Testament contains biographies of rulers over the kingdoms which came from Israel's split into north and south. Northern Israel's kings almost exclusively rejected God, disobeyed Him, and did not worship Him. Consequently, their reigns placed their subjects in jeopardy. Moral decay swept Israel, and foreign powers threatened the nation. Eventually, Israel fell to the Assyrians. In contrast, southern Judah's kings had a better record of righteousness and led the nation in several revivals. God blessed Judah and kept her from destruction and defeat for a long period of time. Ultimately, though, because of her neglect of the Sabbaths and her excursion into idolatry, Judah fell to the Babylonians more than a century after Israel's fall.

Proverbs 29:1–11 begins with an especially dire warning. Solomon (Proverbs 25:1) contrasts righteous government to wicked rulers. The passage also cautions against deception and points out that righteousness is shown in being charitable to the poor. Arguing with fools is pointless, but there is great value in keeping one's temper in check.

Much of this passage refers to negative consequences of unwise attitudes or behavior: stubbornness leads to brokenness. Lack of self-control brings shame. Ignorant, ungodly rulers spread sin and corruption. Pride leads to humiliation. Most of these statements follow the two-part pattern established elsewhere in the book of Proverbs. The final lesson summarizes the deep difference between those who are godly and those who pursue their own desires.

This concludes the collection of Solomon's proverbs which King Hezekiah's men collected (Proverbs 25:1). Like previous passages, chapter 29 contrasts wisdom and folly, the benefits of heeding God's law and the devastating consequences of disobeying it, and the blessings of righteousness compared to the curses of sin.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.