Proverbs chapter 25

Proverbs of Solomon collected by Hezekiah’s team.

 


 

PROVERBS OF SOLOMON COLLECTED BY HEZEKIAH’S TEAM

 

VERSE 1. These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.

men of Hezekiah. They were probably royal scribes. They copied more than 100 of Solomon’s proverbs.

This took place about 250 years after Solomon wrote them.

 

VERSE 2. It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

the glory of kings is to search. A king must search out a matter before they know it sufficiently.

And so must we.

We do not automatically know the Bible or theology. We do not automatically memorize Scripture. Rather, these things require investigation and searching on our part.

 

VERSE 3. As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.

 

VERSE 4. Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner;

 

VERSE 5. Take away the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.

throne will be established in righteousness. This verse assumes the king is a righteous person.

However, rulers are rarely righteous exemplary people. Instead, they are often profoundly self-centered and power-hungry.

 

VERSE 6. Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men;

Luke 14:8. When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the best seat, since perhaps someone more honorable than you might be invited by him,

 

VERSE 7. for it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,” than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen.

The Lord Jesus commands us to sit at the lowest place. But Christian leaders often disobey this command. Most of them sit in the most prominent place. Read more »

 

VERSE 8. Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?

hasty in bringing charges. We should not be quick to sue people. A lawsuit is usually not the best answer.

 

VERSE 9. Debate your case with your neighbor, and don’t betray the confidence of another;

The Lord Jesus calls us to resolve conflicts by approaching the other person in private. This saves face for the other person and avoids public scandal. Read more »

 

VERSE 10. lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.

 

VERSE 11. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Book of Proverbs and from the entire Bible.

NIV translation: A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

word aptly spoken. Our words can be so powerful. We can demolish someone else. Or we can build them up.

Words are the substance of movies and plays, the Bible and love notes, and hate speech.

 

VERSE 12. As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.

NIV translation: Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.

rebuke to a listening ear. Some Christian cultures hand out rebukes all the time. They rationalize it based on Bible verses such as this.

However, note that the rebuker, in this verse, is a wise person.

Usually, in those hotly-rebuking subcultures, the rebuker is not wise. Usually, the rebuker is a hothead who uses the Bible to legitimize his abusive behavior.

 

VERSE 13. As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the soul of his masters.

 

VERSE 14. As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.

he who boasts of gifts deceptively. Some people say they will give you a gift but never actually do it.

They leave you disappointed.

 

VERSE 15. By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.

 

VERSE 16. Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.

eat too much, and vomit. Honey is delicious. But too much makes us sick. Therefore we must exercise restraint.

 

VERSE 17. Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you.

 

VERSE 18. A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.

 

VERSE 19. Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth, or a lame foot.

NAB translation: Like an infected tooth or an unsteady foot is [dependence on] a faithless man in time of trouble.

 

VERSE 20. As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, or vinegar on soda, so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

 

VERSE 21. If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink:

Romans 12:20. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

 

VERSE 22. for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

Romans 12:20. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

 

VERSE 23. The north wind produces rain; so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.

 

VERSE 24. It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than to share a house with a contentious woman.

a contentious woman. As we have often seen, Solomon freely talks about troublesome women.

But he does not talk about troublesome men. He could have phrased this verse like this:

It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than to share a house with a contentious man.

The Book of Proverbs often reveals a deeply negative view of women. That probably reflects a misogynistic personality on the part of the men who wrote the book. Read more »

 

VERSE 25. Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

 

VERSE 26. Like a muddied spring, and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

a righteous man who gives way. We are to stand up for ourselves.

 

VERSE 27. It is not good to eat much honey; nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.

 

VERSE 28. Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.

without restraint. Some people blurt out everything. They say they “wear their feelings on their sleeve.”

But they should learn restraint.

If you are a Christian believer, your words need to build other people up, and not tear them down. Read more »

 


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PROVERBS

CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

RESOURCES: SummaryOutline, Memorize, Sluggard, Tree of Life, Misogynism

Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.