11-14. Murder and robbery are given as specific illustrations.
lay wait . . . lurk privily--express an effort and hope for successful concealment.
swallow . . . grave--utterly destroy the victim and traces of the crime ( Numbers 16:33 , Psalms 55:15 ). Abundant rewards of villainy are promised as the fruits of this easy and safe course.
15, 16. The society of the wicked (way or path) is dangerous. Avoid the beginnings of sin ( Proverbs 4:14 , Psalms 1:1 , 119:101.
17-19. Men warned ought to escape danger as birds instinctively avoid visibly spread nets. But stupid sinners rush to their own ruin ( Psalms 9:16 ), and, greedy of gain, succeed in the very schemes which destroy them ( 1 Timothy 6:10 ), not only failing to catch others, but procuring their own destruction.
20-33. Some interpreters regard this address as the language of the Son of God under the name of Wisdom (compare Luke 11:49 ). Others think that wisdom, as the divine attribute specially employed in acts of counsel and admonition, is here personified, and represents God. In either case the address is a most solemn and divine admonition, whose matter and spirit are eminently evangelical and impressive
Wisdom--literally, "Wisdoms," the plural used either because of the unusual sense, or as indicative of the great excellency of wisdom (compare Proverbs 9:1 ).
streets--or most public places, not secretly.
21. The publicity further indicated by terms designating places of most common resort.
22. simple ones--(Compare Proverbs 1:4 ).
simplicity--implying ignorance.
scorners--( Psalms 1:1 )--who despise, as well as reject, truth.
fools--Though a different word is used from that of Proverbs 1:7 , yet it is of the same meaning.
23. reproof--implying conviction deserving it (compare John 16:8 , Margin).
pour out--abundantly impart.
my spirit--whether of wisdom personified, or of Christ, a divine agent.
24. stretched . . . hand--Earnestness, especially in beseeching, is denoted by the figure (compare Job 11:13 , Psalms 68:31 , 88:9 ).
25. set at naught--rejected as of no value.
would none of--literally, "were not willing or inclined to it."
26, 27. In their extreme distress He will not only refuse help, but aggravate it by derision.
27. fear--the object of it.
desolation--literally, "a tumultuous noise," denoting their utter confusion.
destruction--or calamity ( Proverbs 1:26 ) compared to a whirlwind, as to fatal rapidity.
distress--( Psalms 4:1 , 44:11 ).
anguish--a state of inextricable oppression, the deepest despair.
28. Now no prayers or most diligent seeking will avail ( Proverbs 8:17 ).
29, 30. The sinner's infatuated rejection brings his ruin.
31. fruit . . . way--result of conduct ( Isaiah 3:10 , Ezekiel 11:21 , Romans 6:21 , Galatians 6:7 Galatians 6:8 ).
be filled--even to repletion ( Psalms 123:4 ).
32. turning away--that is, from the call of Proverbs 1:23 .
simple--as in Proverbs 1:22 .
prosperity--quiet, implying indifference.
33. dwell safely--literally, "in confidence" ( Deuteronomy 12:10 ).
be quiet--or at ease, in real prosperity.
from fear--without fear.
I accidentally posted before I finished. It is complete, except I forgot to give proper credit to “Jamieson, Fausset,& Brown” for the commentary.