John Gill Commentary Proverbs 29:2

"When the righteous are increased, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man beareth rule, the people sigh." — Proverbs 29:2 (ASV)

When the righteous are in authority
Or "are increased" {g}; either in number or in riches, or in power and dominion; are set in high places, and have the exercise of civil government and the execution of the laws in their hands; for the protection of good men in their civil and religious privileges, and for the punishment of evil men; for the encouraging of all that is good, and for the discouraging of everything that is bad; the people rejoice ;
the whole body of the people, because of the public good; a state is happy under such an administration; everyone feels and enjoys the advantage of it; see (1 Kings 4:20) ; but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn ;
or "groan" ^F8 , or "will groan", under their tyranny and oppression, and because of the sad state of things; the number of good men is lessened, being cut off, or obliged to flee; wicked men and wickedness are encouraged and promoted; heavy taxes are laid upon them, and exorbitant demands made and cruelty, injustice, and arbitrary power exercised; and no man's person and property safe; see (Proverbs 10:11) (Proverbs 28:12Proverbs 28:28) .

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FOOTNOTES:

• F8: (xnay) "gemet", Pagninus, Montanus, V. L. "gemit", Michaelis; "ingemiscit", Schultens; so the Tugurine version, Mercerus; "suspirat", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius.