The spider takes hold with its hands, and is in kings' palaces.
Read Chapter 30
Augustine of Hippo
AD 430
Be prudent, and provide for yourself against the future in heaven. Be therefore prudent, copy the ant, as Scripture says, “Store in summer, lest you be hungry in winter.” The winter is the last day, the day of tribulation; the winter is the day of offenses and bitterness. Gather what may be there for you in the future. If you do not, you will perish, being both imprudent and unwise.
“Although the locust has no king,” as Scripture says, “he leads his army all in array”; but people who have been created rational neither know how to govern themselves nor how to endure with patience the guidance of their king and God.
[Solomon] indicates here those people who have no strength but nonetheless store up treasures for eternal life on account of their good works.… The rock, in fact, is the refuge of badgers in which they live. You too, he says, even though you are weak, run to the rock of true faith, and with it restore life. The one who is supported by deeds enters the kingdom. Therefore, he says, do not despair of the kingdom of heaven because of the weakness of your faith; but believing in the promises, hasten to those works which are commanded. Christ is the lion: indeed all rational things are cattle in comparison with him. Moses, in fact, said, “I am a child.” Because of its natural alacrity, the lion is said to walk unhindered. Commentary on the Proverbs of Solomon, Fragment
The stellio. A kind of house lizard, marked with spots like stars, from whence it has its name. (Challoner)
Hebrew semamith. (Haydock)
It probably provides food against the stormy season, like ants. (Bo chart) (Calmet)
Others understand "the spider "(Kimchi) or "monkey. "(Vatable)
“There are four things which are least upon the earth, and these are wiser than the wise: The ants have no strength, yet they prepare their meat in the summer.” And in like manner, the Gentiles by faith in Christ prepare for themselves eternal life through good works. “And the conies [badgers], a feeble folk, have made their houses in the rocks.” The Gentiles, that is to say, are built upon Christ, the spiritual rock, who is become the head of the corner. “The spider [lizard], that supports itself upon its hands, and is easily caught, dwells in the strongholds of kings.” That is, the thief with his hands extended [on the cross], rests on the cross of Christ and dwells in paradise, the stronghold of the three kings—Father, Son and Holy Ghost. “The locust has no king and yet marches out in array as by one command.” The Gentiles had no king, for they were ruled by sin; but now, believing God, they engage in the heavenly warfare. .
