John Gill Commentary Proverbs 14:28

"In the multitude of people is the king`s glory; But in the want of people is the destruction of the prince." — Proverbs 14:28 (ASV)

In the multitude of people [is] the king's honour
For it is a sign of a good and wise government, of clemency and righteousness being exercised, of liberty and property being enjoyed, of peace, plenty, and prosperity; which encourage subjects to serve their king cheerfully, and to continue under his reign and government peaceably; and which invites others from different parts to come and settle there also; by which the strength and glory of a king are much increased.

This is true of the King of kings, of Jesus Christ, who is King of saints; his honour and glory, as Mediator, lies in a large number of voluntary subjects, made "willing" to serve him "in the day of [his] power" upon them, as numerous as the drops of the morning "dew", (Psalms 110:3) ; such as he had in the first times of the Gospel, both among the Jews and among the Gentiles; and as he will have more especially in the latter day, when those prophecies shall be fulfilled in (Isaiah 60:4–8) ; and so this is interpreted of the King Messiah, in an ancient writing ^F2 of the Jews;

but in the want of people [is] the destruction of the prince ;
or, "the consternation" ^F3 of him; if his people are destroyed in wars his ambition or cruelty has led him to; or they are driven out from his kingdom by persecution or oppression; hence follows a decay of trade, and consequently of riches; lack of cultivation of land, and so want of provision: in course of time there is such a decrease, that, as there are but few to carry on trade and till the land, so to fight for their prince, and defend his country; wherefore, when attacked by a foreign power, he is thrown into the utmost consternation, and is brought to destruction.

This will be the case of the prince of darkness, the man of sin, antichrist; who, though however populous he may be, or has been, ruling over tongues, people, and nations, yet before long he will be deserted by them; one nation after another will fall off from him; they and their kings will hate him, make him bare and desolate, and burn him with fire, (Revelation 17:15Revelation 17:16) .

Some render it, "the consternation of leanness" ^F4 ; such consternation as causes leanness in a king.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F2: Zohar in Exod. fol. 67. 3, 4.
• F3: (ttxm) "formidat princeps", Tigurine version; consternatio", Cocceius, Michaelis, Schultens.
• F4: "Consternatio macici", Gussetius, p. 785. "consternatio tabifica", Schultens; "contritio maciei", Gejerus; "terror tenuitatis", Mercerus, Gersom.