Proverbs 29:4

“The king by judgment establisheth the land, etc.] By executing, judgment and justice among his subjects, he establishes the laws of the land, and the government of it; he secures its peace and prosperity, and preserves his people in the possession at their properties and privileges; and makes them rich and powerful, and the state stable and flourishing, so that it continues firm to posterity; such a king was Solomon, (<140908>2 Chronicles 9:8); but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it; that, is, a king that does so; Gersom observes that he is not called a king, because such a man is not worthy of the name, who takes gifts and is bribed by them to pervert judgment and justice; whereby the…”

“by judgment--that is, righteous decisions, opposed to those procured by gifts (compare Pro 28:21), by which good government is perverted. land--for nation.”

“Judgment - By the free and impartial exercise of justice. Gifts - Bribes. Proverbs 29:8”

“29:4 A just king looks out for the rights of others; a ruler who accepts bribes uses his office for personal gain (see also 17:23; 22:16; 28:21).”

“king: Pro 29:14, Pro 16:12, Pro 20:8; Sa1 13:13; Sa2 8:15; Kg1 2:12; Psa 89:14, Psa 99:4; Isa 9:7, Isa 49:8 he that receiveth gifts: Heb. a man of oblations, Kg2 15:18-20; Jer 22:13-17; Dan 11:20; Mic 7:3 Proverbs 29:5”

“A series of six proverb follows, beginning with a proverb of the king: 4 A king by righteousness bringeth the land to a good condition; But a man of taxes bringeth it down. The Hiph. חעמיד signifies to make it so that a person or matter comes to stand erect and stand fast (e.g., Kg1 15:4); הרס, to tear down, is the contrary of building up and extending ( Psa 28:5), cf. נהרס, opp. רוּם, of the state, Pro 11:11. By 'אישׁ תּר is meant the king, or a man of this kind; but it is questionable whether as a man of gifts, i.e., one who lets gifts be made to him (Grotius, Fleischer, Ewald, Bertheau, Zckler), or as a man of taxes, i.e., who imposes them (Midrash, Aben Ezra, Ralbag, Rosenmller, Hitzig).…”