Matthew Poole and continuators on Proverbs 17:11

11 An evil man seeketh onely rebellion ; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

It is the constant study and business of wicked men to rebel, either 1. against men in Authority. But this is not universally true, for many most wicked Persons are not guilty of that sin. Or rather 2. against God: For 1. thus it is true of all wicked men. 2. This word is used of rebellion against God, Deut. 31. 27. Ezek. 2. 5, 6. & 3. 9, &c. 3. This word being put alone without any addition of the object seems most probably to be meant of the highest and worst kind of rebellion, according to the common rule of interpretation in such cases.

Or, a cruel Angel, the Angel of Death, the Devil, or some bloody men employed by God to avenge his quarrel; or some dreadful punishment; it being very usual in Scripture to represent things under the notion of Persons, as Rom. 7. and elsewhere.