Notice in verse 1 the source for the rest of the book
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¶ These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king
of Judah copied out.
2 ¶ It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. 3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable. 4 ¶ Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer. 5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness. |
1 -
Copied out That is, "transcribed." They may have been copied or
written down from oral testimonies. Isaiah, Joah or Shebna could have done
a work like this 2ki1818,
2ch2622.
Compare
ec1209.
2 - God to conceal He has provided the mysteries of science for us to explore. We marvel at His work which the evolutionary theory cannot explain. 2 - Search out a matter Kings were also judges of the people. 3 - heart of kings Solomon was an exceptional king. God had given him special wisdom. Of course none of us can read the mind of another. It may have been God's plan to provide extra wisdom to all righteous kings or leaders. 4 - Finer Or "silversmith" in this case. 5 - Take away the wicked As sliver is refined, so the removal of evil counsellors strengthens a kingdom. Consecrated leaders strengthen a church. |
| 6 ¶ Put not forth thyself
in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
7 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. 8 ¶ 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 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another: 10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away. |
6 -
Put not forth Compare lu1407.
8 - Go not forth hastily to strive In the context, we should be slow to take our quarrel to the judge (here, to the king). 9 - With thy neighbor himself Jesus amplified this mt1815. |
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¶ A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. 13 ¶ 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 ¶ Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain. 15 ¶ By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone. 16 ¶ Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. |
11
- A word The tongue is an agent for blessing
or for damage. This follows the context, verses 8 to 10. Compare
ja0308.
Words of kindness and appreciation have a marvelous effect. Compare mt2521.
12 - Earring ... ornament An interesting correspondence. Nezem, "earring," may also mean nose ring is0322. Also ge2422, ex3201. Today, as we prepare our hearts for the judgment, it is time to discard all that would tend to strengthen our pride ex3305. 13 - Cold of snow Falling snow is not pictured here. Snow or ice was used by the wealthy to cool drinks. 13 - Faithful messenger Compare pr1026, pr1317. 15 - Soft tongue Tactful words persuade better than angry ones pr1501. |
| 17 ¶ Withdraw thy foot
from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
18 ¶ A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. 19 ¶ Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. .20 ¶ 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 ¶ If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: .22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee. .23 ¶ The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue. |
17
- Withdraw thy foot Literally, "make your foot rare."
19 - Confidence See is3606. 20 - He that taketh away a garment Or "The person who removes his coat." 20 - Nitre This was an alkali of carbonate of soda je0222. Those who are sorrowful need an understanding ear, not jokes and scolding. 21 - Enemy See 2ki0622, mt0543. 22 - Coals of fire Leading to repentance. 23 - Driveth away Hebrew chil. Should read "brings forth." See the word in ps09002. |
| 24 ¶ It is better to
dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in
a wide house.
25 ¶ As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. 26 ¶ A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring. 27 ¶ It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory. 28 ¶ He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. |
24
- See on pr2109.
26 - Troubled fountain Instead of a spring leading others to eternal life. pr1011, jn0414. 28 - A powerful verse on self-control. Without the right exercise of the will, no one can stand against temptation. God provides the strength but we must want it. |
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