Proverbs 25 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Proverbs 25

More Proverbs of Solomon

25:1 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.

2   It is the glory of God to conceal things,
    but the glory of kings is to search things out.
3   As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,
    so the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4   Take away the dross from the silver,
    and the smith has material for a vessel;
5   take away the wicked from the presence of the king,
    and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6   Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence
    or stand in the place of the great,
7   for it is better to be told, “Come up here,”
    than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.
  What your eyes have seen
8     do not hastily bring into court,¹
  for² what will you do in the end,
    when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9   Argue your case with your neighbor himself,
    and do not reveal another’s secret,
10   lest he who hears you bring shame upon you,
    and your ill repute have no end.
11   A word fitly spoken
    is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
12   Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold
    is a wise reprover to a listening ear.
13   Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest
    is a faithful messenger to those who send him;
    he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14   Like clouds and wind without rain
    is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.
15   With patience a ruler may be persuaded,
    and a soft tongue will break a bone.
16   If you have found honey, eat only enough for you,
    lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.
17   Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house,
    lest he have his fill of you and hate you.
18   A man who bears false witness against his neighbor
    is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19   Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble
    is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.
20   Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart
    is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,
    and like vinegar on soda.
21   If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,
    and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
22   for you will heap burning coals on his head,
    and the LORD will reward you.
23   The north wind brings forth rain,
    and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
24   It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
    than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
25   Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
    so is good news from a far country.
26   Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain
    is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27   It is not good to eat much honey,
    nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.³
28   A man without self-control
    is like a city broken into and left without walls.

Footnotes

[1] 25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court
[2] 25:8 Hebrew or else
[3] 25:27 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain

Commentary

v1: Solomon doubtless wrote his proverbs over several years. Some were kept later copied out under Hezekiah's orders.

v2-3: The call of the king; to have a godly heart, and to deal with deep issues.

v4-5: Separation of dross from the pure brings righteousness.

v6-7: See Luke 14.7-14.

v8-10: Personal disagreements must be resolved in private. See 1 Cor 6.1-8; a public disagreement brings shame, and damages the testimony.

v11-12: The blessing of a word fitly spoken, and a wise reprover.

v13: The faithful messenger carries the message of another, and faithfulness brings blessing. His good news (v25) is a great blessing to his hearers.

v14: Clouds and wind offer rain, bringing refreshment and nourishment to crops. But without such rain, they are a disappointment, dashing hopes.

v15: Long forbearance and a gentle tongue; more powerful than we think. To be constantly outspoken and controversial is not always the best way to convince others.

v16: Too much honey is not good; sweet blessings and enjoyments should be in proper measure. The Israelites ate manna for 40 years, which was God's provision. We should consider that God feeds us daily on regular food, rather than sweet things.

v17: To frequently visit a neighbour can become a burden to him.

v18: The damage of false testimony.

v19: In hard times, our trust must be in the faithful.

v20: A person needs his cloak on a cold day; one who takes away his cloak is unkind.

v21-22: See 24.29; we are not to repay evil with evil, but repay evil with good. The Lord Jesus taught that we should love our enemies.

v23: Everyone knew that rain would follow a north wind. In the same way, a sly tongue would bring dispute and anger.

v24: To live with a quarrelsome wife is unpleasant. Better to live in uncomfortable surroundings.

v25: The good news brought by the faithful messenger; refreshing words.

v26: A well and a spring are intended to be sources of refreshment; a righteous testimony can be ruined by sin.

v27: Seeking glory, and more glory, is not glory, it is folly. It is like too much honey (v16).

v28: Importance of self-control. This verse contrasts with 4.23. If I do not guard my heart, then I wil fall into ill-discipline and wrong-doing.. No wonder the fruit of the SPirit includes self-control.