There is no surer path to popularity than a righteous severity in punishing guilt.

But to them that rebuke him shall be delight,.... That is, such that rebuke in the gate, or openly, in a court of judicature; that reprove delinquents, such as are found guilty of malpractices, and punish them as they ought to be, according to the laws of God and man; they shall have delight in themselves, peace and pleasure in their own minds; or the people shall delight in them, and speak well of them, and think themselves happy under such a just administration; or the Lord shall delight in them, the beauty or sweetness of the Lord shall come unto them, as Aben Ezra explains it; the Lord shall be sweet and delightful to them, and they shall have pleasure in him;

and a good blessing shall come upon them; or "a blessing of good" (w); a blessing of good things, temporal and spiritual, here and hereafter; the blessing of a good God, and a blessing from him; and a blessing of good men, as opposed to the curse of the people in Proverbs 24:24.

(w) "benedictio boni", Baynus, Mercerus, Cocceius, Gejerus, Michaelis, Schultens; "benefactio cujusque boni": Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.

But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.

24:25 Rebuke - That publickly and judicially rebuke and condemn the wicked. Delight - The peace of a good conscience.

a good...: Heb. a blessing of good

24:17,18. The pleasure we are apt to take in the troubles of an enemy is forbidden. 19,20. Envy not the wicked their prosperity; be sure there is no true happiness in it. 21,22. The godly in the land, will be quiet in the land. There may be cause to change for the better, but have nothing to do with them that are given change. 23-26. The wisdom God giveth, renders a man fit for his station. Every one who finds the benefit of the right answer, will be attached to him that gave it. 27. We must prefer necessaries before conveniences, and not go in debt.