The Glory of Kings and the Value of Humility
Study note
King Hezekiah (about 715-686 BC) had his scribes collect and preserve more of Solomon's proverbs. It is the glory of God to hide things, and the glory of kings to search them out. These proverbs teach humility: it is better to be invited to a higher seat than to be publicly moved to a lower one. Jesus later taught a similar lesson in Luke 14:7-11.
1 Here are additional proverbs from Solomon. The officials who served King Hezekiah of Judah collected and copied them. These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2 God's glory is seen in the way he keeps things hidden. A king's glory is seen in the way he uncovers them. It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
3 The sky above has no limit. The earth below goes deeper than you can measure. And the mind of a king is just as hard to fully understand. The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take the junk out of silver, and a craftsman can make something beautiful from it. Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
5 Take the wicked advisors out of a king's court and his kingdom will be built on a strong, righteous foundation. Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6 Do not walk into the king's court acting like you are somebody important. Do not plant yourself in a spot reserved for distinguished people. Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
7 It is much better to hear someone say, "Come, take this seat of honor." That is better than being told to move down in front of everyone. For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.
The Right Word at the Right Time
Study note
Settle disputes privately rather than publicly. A word spoken at the right time is like golden apples in a silver setting -- beautiful and perfectly placed. A faithful messenger refreshes like cool snow during harvest. Patience and gentle words can persuade even the most stubborn person.
8 Do not rush to take someone to court. You might end up humiliated when the other side presents their case. Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
9 If you have a disagreement with your neighbor, work it out privately between the two of you. Do not go around exposing someone else's secrets. Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:
10 If you do, the person who hears will lose all respect for you. That bad name will follow you forever. Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
12 A wise rebuke to someone willing to listen is precious. It is worth as much as gold rings or fine gems. As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
13 A messenger you can count on refreshes the people who sent them. They are like cool snow on a hot harvest day. As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
14 Some people brag about gifts they never give. They are like clouds and wind with no rain. Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
15 Patient effort can convince even the most stubborn ruler. Gentle words can break through the toughest wall. By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
Moderation and Self-Control
Study note
These proverbs teach moderation in all things. Even too much honey will make you sick. Do not visit your neighbor too often, or they will get tired of you. A false witness is like a dangerous weapon. Singing happy songs to a sad person is like taking away their coat in cold weather. The surprising command to feed your hungry enemy and give them water is quoted by Paul in Romans 12:20.
16 If you come across honey, eat only what you need. Overdo it and you will end up sick. Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17 Be careful not to drop in on your neighbors too often. They will get sick of seeing you and start wishing you would stay home. Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
18 Someone who lies about their neighbor is as dangerous as a swinging club, a sharp sword, or a pointed arrow. A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19 Counting on someone you cannot trust when things get tough is like chewing with a cracked tooth. It is like walking on a twisted ankle. Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20 Singing happy songs to someone in deep pain is wrong. It is like taking their coat in the cold. It is like pouring salt in a wound. As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
21 When the person who opposes you is starving, feed them. When they are dying of thirst, hand them a glass of water. If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22 Your kindness will burn in their conscience like hot coals, and on top of that, the Lord himself will reward you. For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
Gossip, Self-Control, and Unreliable People
Study note
The north wind brings rain, and gossip brings angry looks. A righteous person who gives in to the wicked is like a polluted spring. The chapter ends with a powerful image: a person with no self-control is like a city with broken walls, completely defenseless.
23 Just as a north wind is sure to bring rain, whispering gossip behind someone's back is sure to bring angry reactions. The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
24 A tiny corner of your rooftop is better. Do not share a full house with someone who never stops griping. It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
25 Receiving good news from someone far away is as refreshing as drinking ice-cold water when you are parched. As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 A righteous person who caves in to the pressure of the wicked is like a clean water source that has been polluted. A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
27 Eating too much honey is bad for you, and always fishing for compliments is not a good look either. It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
28 A person who cannot control themselves is as defenseless as a city whose walls have been smashed to pieces. He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.