◄ Proverbs 28:28 ►
When the wicked come to power, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous flourish.
Study Bible
When the wicked come to power,

This phrase highlights the impact of unrighteous leadership on society. In biblical history, wicked rulers often led to oppression and fear among the people. For example, during the reign of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, the prophets and faithful Israelites had to hide to avoid persecution (1 Kings 18:4). The wickedness of leaders can lead to societal corruption and moral decay, as seen in the time of the Judges when “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25).

Pro 29:2 When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice,…
Psa 12:8 The wicked wander freely, and vileness is exalted among men.
Ecc 8:9 All this I have seen, applying my mind to every deed…

people hide themselves;

The act of hiding signifies fear and self-preservation. In times of oppressive rule, the righteous often retreat to avoid persecution. This is seen in the life of Elijah, who hid from Jezebel’s wrath (1 Kings 19:3). The hiding of the people can also symbolize the suppression of truth and justice, as the wicked suppress righteousness. This reflects the broader biblical theme of light versus darkness, where evil seeks to extinguish the light of truth.

Jdg 6:2 and the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel.…
1Sa 13:6-7 Seeing that they were in danger because their troops…
1Ki 18:4 for when Jezebel had slaughtered the prophets of the LORD…

but when they perish,

God’s judgment removes rulers and systems that seem invincible. Pharaoh’s destruction in the Red Sea showed that no earthly power can finally withstand the Lord’s purpose or continue oppressing His people without answer (Exodus 14:28). The downfall of the wicked opens the way for truth, justice, and worship to be restored.

Psa 37:20 But the wicked and enemies of the LORD will perish…
Pro 10:25 When the whirlwind passes, the wicked are no more…
Psa 37:10 Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more;…

the righteous flourish.

God grants renewed freedom and stability when evil is restrained. David administered justice and righteousness to his people (2 Samuel 8:15), and Josiah led Judah back to the covenant after years of spiritual decline (2 Kings 22:2). Such restoration anticipates the reign of Christ, whose kingdom will establish enduring righteousness, peace, and justice (Isaiah 11:1–9).

Psa 72:7 May the righteous flourish in his days…
Pro 11:28 He who trusts in his riches will fall,…
Psa 92:12-14 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree…

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Wicked
Individuals who act in opposition to God's laws and principles, often causing harm or injustice.

2. The Righteous
Those who live according to God's commandments and seek to uphold justice and truth.

3. People
The general populace who are affected by the rule of the wicked or the flourishing of the righteous.

4. Power
The authority or control that the wicked may gain, leading to fear and oppression.

5. Flourishing
The prosperity and peace that come when the righteous are in positions of influence.
Teaching Points
The Temporary Nature of Wickedness
Wickedness may seem powerful, but its reign is temporary. Believers should take heart in the knowledge that God’s justice will prevail.

The Role of the Righteous
The righteous are called to stand firm in their faith and values, even when the wicked are in power. Their eventual flourishing is assured by God’s promises.

The Impact of Leadership
Leadership has a profound impact on society. Believers should pray for and support leaders who uphold godly principles.

Courage in Adversity
When the wicked are in power, it is natural to feel fear. However, Christians are encouraged to find refuge in God and remain steadfast.

Hope in God’s Justice
The ultimate triumph of the righteous over the wicked is a source of hope. Believers can trust in God’s timing and justice.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the presence of wicked leadership affect the behavior and morale of a community, according to Proverbs 28:28?

2. In what ways can believers actively support the flourishing of righteousness in their communities?

3. Reflect on a time when you witnessed the temporary nature of wickedness. How did this experience strengthen your faith in God’s justice?

4. How can the teachings of Jesus in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:10-12) encourage believers facing persecution or oppression?

5. What practical steps can you take to support and pray for leaders who uphold godly principles in your community or nation?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 29:2
This verse similarly contrasts the effects of the righteous and the wicked in leadership, highlighting the joy of the people under righteous rule.

Psalm 37:35-36
Describes the temporary nature of the wicked's prosperity and their eventual downfall, aligning with the theme of the wicked perishing.

Ecclesiastes 8:12-13
Discusses the ultimate fate of the wicked versus the righteous, reinforcing the idea of divine justice.

Matthew 5:10-12
Jesus speaks about the blessedness of those who are persecuted for righteousness, suggesting that the righteous will ultimately be vindicated.

1 Peter 3:12
Emphasizes God's attentiveness to the righteous and His opposition to those who do evil.
Sermons
Hidden ManhoodW. Clarkson Proverbs 28:12, 28
The Life that Breeds Perpetual BenedictionE. Johnson Proverbs 28:27, 28
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Cover, Destruction, Evil-doers, Hidden, Hide, Hiding, Increase, Increased, Lifted, Multiply, Overtakes, Perish, Power, Righteous, Rise, Rising, Themselves, Thrive, Upright, Wicked
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 28:28

     5457   power, human

Library
Two Coverings and Two Consequences
A Sermon (No. 3500) by C. H. Spurgeon, April 4th, 1875, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. Published February 24th, 1916. "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper."--Proverbs 28:13. "Thou Hast covered all their sins."--Psalm 85:2. In these two texts we have man's covering, which is worthless and culpable, and God's covering, which is profitable and worthy of all acceptation. No sooner had man disobeyed his Maker's will in the garden of Eden than he discovered to his surprise and dismay …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

The Right Kind of Fear
A Sermon (No. 2971) published on Thursday, January 18th, 1906, delivered by C.H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington on Thursday evening, September 2nd, 1876. "Happy is the man that feareth alway."--Proverbs 28:14. But did not John say that "fear hath torment?" Then how can he be happy who hath fear, and especially he who hath it always. Did not John also say that "perfect love casteth out fear?" How is it then that he is happy in whom love is not made perfect, if so be that the fear …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

"If we Confess Our Sins, He is Faithful and Just to Forgive us Our Sins",
1 John i. 9.--"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins", &c. The current of sin dries not up, but runs constantly while we are in this life. It is true, it is much diminished in a believer, and it runs not in such an universal flood over the whole man as it is in the unbeliever. Yet there is a living spring of sin within the godly, which is never ceasing to drop out pollution and defilement, either upon their whole persons, or, at least, to intermingle it with their …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"When Solomon was Old. "
"It came to pass when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other Gods." 1 KINGS xi. 4. Who could have predicted that this would come to pass? And yet it is often so, for it is still true that NO AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE WILL SAVE FROM BACKSLIDING THOSE WHO REFUSE TO LISTEN TO GOD. We learn from verse 10 that God had taken pains to save Solomon from idolatry, (see 1 Kings vi. 12, and xi. 6). But what good is it for even God to try to save a man who will have his own way? And …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread

Letter xxiv (Circa A. D. 1126) to Oger, Regular Canon
To Oger, Regular Canon [34] Bernard blames him for his resignation of his pastoral charge, although made from the love of a calm and pious life. None the less, he instructs him how, after becoming a private person, he ought to live in community. To Brother Oger, the Canon, Brother Bernard, monk but sinner, wishes that he may walk worthily of God even to the end, and embraces him with the fullest affection. 1. If I seem to have been too slow in replying to your letter, ascribe it to my not having …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Epistle xxv. To Gregoria.
To Gregoria. Gregory to Gregoria, Lady of the Bed-chamber (cubiculariæ) to Augusta. I have received the longed for letters of your Sweetness, in which you have been at pains all through to accuse yourself of a multitude of sins: but I know that you fervently love the Almighty Lord, and I trust in His mercy that the sentence which was pronounced with regard to a certain holy woman proceeds from the mouth of the Truth with regard to you: Her sins, which are many, are forgiven her, for she loved …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

"And the Life. " How Christ is the Life.
This, as the former, being spoken indefinitely, may be universally taken, as relating both to such as are yet in the state of nature, and to such as are in the state of grace, and so may be considered in reference to both, and ground three points of truth, both in reference to the one, and in reference to the other; to wit, 1. That our case is such as we stand in need of his help, as being the Life. 2. That no other way but by him, can we get that supply of life, which we stand in need of, for he …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

"And There is None that Calleth Upon Thy Name, that Stirreth up Himself to Take Hold on Thee,"
Isaiah lxiv. 7.--"And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold on thee," &c. They go on in the confession of their sins. Many a man hath soon done with that a general notion of sin is the highest advancement in repentance that many attain to. You may see here sin and judgment mixed in thorough other(315) in their complaint. They do not so fix their eyes upon their desolate estate of captivity, as to forget their provocations. Many a man would spend more affection, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

How to be Admonished are those who Give Away what is their Own, and those who Seize what Belongs to Others.
(Admonition 21.) Differently to be admonished are those who already give compassionately of their own, and those who still would fain seize even what belongs to others. For those who already give compassionately of their own are to be admonished not to lift themselves up in swelling thought above those to whom they impart earthly things; not to esteem themselves better than others because they see others to be supported by them. For the Lord of an earthly household, in distributing the ranks and …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

The Authority and Utility of the Scriptures
2 Tim. iii. 16.--"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." We told you that there was nothing more necessary to know than what our end is, and what the way is that leads to that end. We see the most part of men walking at random,--running an uncertain race,--because they do not propose unto themselves a certain scope to aim at, and whither to direct their whole course. According to men's particular …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Adoption
'As many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.' John 1:12. Having spoken of the great points of faith and justification, we come next to adoption. The qualification of the persons is, As many as received him.' Receiving is put for believing, as is clear by the last words, to them that believe in his name.' The specification of the privilege is, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.' The Greek word for power, exousia, signifies …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
Proverbs 28:28 NIV
Proverbs 28:28 NLT
Proverbs 28:28 ESV
Proverbs 28:28 NASB
Proverbs 28:28 KJV

Proverbs 28:28 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Proverbs 28:27
Top of Page
Top of Page