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Proverbs 19:6,7
Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every manis a friend to him that giveth gifts…

Proverbs 14:20
The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the richhath many friends.

Luke 15:13-15
And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living…

the poor

Proverbs 10:15
The rich man's wealthis his strong city: the destruction of the pooris their poverty.

Job 6:15-23
My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook,and as the stream of brooks they pass away; …

Job 19:13-17
He hath put my brethren far from me, and mine acquaintance are verily estranged from me…

but a poor man is deserted by his friend
Poverty in biblical times often led to social isolation and vulnerability. Without resources, a person could not reciprocate favors or provide for others, leading to abandonment by those who were once considered friends. This reflects the harsh realities of a society where survival often depended on mutual support and exchange. The plight of the poor is a recurring theme in Scripture, with God frequently commanding His people to care for the needy and marginalized (Deuteronomy 15:7-11). The contrast between the wealthy and the poor in this proverb highlights the transient nature of human relationships based on material gain. It also foreshadows the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized the value of spiritual wealth over material possessions and called His followers to love and serve the poor (Matthew 6:19-21,Luke 6:20-21).

“Wealth attracts many friends” (Proverbs 19:4a) paints a familiar picture: resources draw people.

•Proverbs 19:6 echoes it: “Many seek the favor of the prince, and everyone is a friend of a gift giver.”

•Proverbs 14:20 observes the same dynamic from another angle.

•James 2:1-4 warns churches against the pull of wealth-driven favoritism.

•Luke 16:9 shows how easily people flock to money for short-lived gain.

Wealth promises advantage—comfort, security, opportunity—so some befriend the rich mainly for what they can receive. Scripture never condemns wealth itself (Genesis 13:2;1 Timothy 6:17) but exposes the hollow “friendships” it can manufacture. Genuine relationship requires more than shared profit.

The little conjunction marks a strong reversal. Scripture regularly uses it to highlight a moral contrast (Proverbs 13:18; 28:6). Here it signals that earthly status flips immediately when the riches disappear; motives are unmasked.

“...but a poor man is deserted by his friend” (Proverbs 19:4b). Lack strips away pretenders.

•Proverbs 18:24 warns, “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother,” spotlighting the rarity of loyalty.

•Proverbs 17:17 celebrates the friend who “loves at all times”—in prosperity and poverty alike.

• Jesus tells of Lazarus, ignored at a rich man’s gate (Luke 16:19-21), illustrating how poverty often invites neglect.

Notice the singular “friend.” Even one who seemed trustworthy may vanish when association costs something. The verse exposes the fickleness of worldly connections and urges us to evaluate both our own hearts and the company we keep. True friendship is measured in sacrifice, not convenience (John 15:13).

Proverbs 19:4 is a mirror: wealth can swell a social circle, but poverty reveals who really cares. God’s Word encourages us to resist using people for gain, refuse partiality, and practice covenant-faithful friendship that reflects His steadfast love—rich or poor, come what may.

Ἐὰν δ ἔχωμεν χρήμαθ ἕξομεν φίλους.The poor is separated from his neighbour. But it is better to make the act of separation emanate from the friend (as the Hebrew allows), and to render, with the Revised Version,The friend of the poor separateth himself from him. The word for "poor" is heredal, which means "feeble," "languid;" so ver. 17; and the came word (rea), "friend" or "neighbor," is used in both clauses. The idea of man's selfishness is carried on in vers. 6 and 7. The Law of Moses had tried to counteract it (Deuteronomy 15:7, etc.), but it was Christianity that introduced the practical realization of the law of love, and the honouring of the poor as members of Christ. Septuagint, "But the poor is deserted even by his whilom friend."

Parallel Commentaries ...