PROVERBS A CHAPTER A DAY

CHAPTER 25

The comments are interleaved with the text.

1

These also are proverbs of Solomon; the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied them out:

2 

God gets glory from concealing things;

    kings get glory from investigating things.

COMPARING GOD AND KINGS WAS COMMON IN THE ANCIENT WORLD. HERE GOD’S RETICENCE IS NOTED.

3 

Like the sky for height or the earth for depth

    is the heart of kings — unfathomable.

THIS IS MERE ROYALIST PROPAGANDA

4 

Remove the impurities from the silver,

    and the smith has material to make a vessel.

Remove the wicked from the king’s presence,

    and his throne will rest firmly on righteousness.

NOTE THE IMPURITY IS NOT IN THE KING

6 

Don’t put yourself forward in the king’s presence;

    don’t take a place among the great.

GOOD ADVICE GIVEN THE ARROGANCE OF ROYAL COURTS

For it is better to be told, “Come up here,”

    than be degraded in the presence of a nobleman.

JESUS USED THIS PROVERB

8

What your eyes have seen,

    don’t rush to present in a dispute.

For what will you do later on,

    if your neighbor puts you to shame?

PEOPLE IN GLASS HOUSES…? 

Discuss your dispute with your neighbor,

    but don’t reveal another person’s secrets.

If you do, and he hears of it, he will disgrace you,

    and your bad reputation will stick.

COMMUNITY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN WINNING A SQUABBLE

11 

Like apples of gold in settings of silver

    is a word appropriately spoken.

Like a gold earring, like a fine gold necklace

    is a wise reprover to a receptive ear.

THE SOCIAL VALUE OF WISE SPEECH

13 

Like the coldness of snow in the heat of the harvest

    is a faithful messenger to the one who sends him;

    he refreshes his master’s spirit.

WITH NO TECHNICAL MEDIA THE MESSENGER WAS ALL-IMPORTANT TO THE SENDER

14 

Like clouds and wind that bring no rain

    is he who boasts of gifts he never gives.

15 

With patience a ruler may be won over,

    and a soft tongue can break bones.

AH, YES

16 

If you find honey, eat only what you need;

    for if you eat too much of it, you may throw it up

so don’t visit your neighbor too much,

    or he may get his fill of you and come to hate you.

IF YOU THINK YOUR VISITS ARE SO SWEET, MAYBE YOU NEED A REJECTION

18 

Like a club, a sword or a sharp arrow

    is a person who gives false testimony against a neighbor.

VIOLENCE IS NOT ALWAYS PHYSICAL

19 

Relying on an untrustworthy person in a time of trouble

    is like relying on a broken tooth or an unsteady leg.

Like removing clothes on a chilly day.

A BREACH OF TRUST IS KEENLY FELT.

20

Like pouring vinegar on wounds

    is someone who sings songs to a heavy heart.

SADLY TRUE

21 

If someone who hates you is hungry, give him food to eat;

    and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

For you will heap fiery coals of shame on his head,

    and the Lord will reward you.

JESUS LEARNED FROM THIS, SO PROBABLY WE CAN

23 

The north wind brings rain

    and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.

24 

It is better to live on a corner of the roof

    than to share the house with a nagging wife.

THE FOURTH REPETITION OF THIS IN PROVERBS. MAYBE IF YOU HAVE AS MANY WIVES AS SOLOMON YOU WILL GO ON NAG.GING ABOUT NAGGING

25 

Like cold water to a person faint from thirst

    is good news from a distant land.

EVEN YET, BUT HOW MUCH MORE SO THEN!

26 

Like a muddied spring or a polluted well

    is a honest person who gives way before the wicked.

HONESTY LIKE WATER IS PRECIOUS

27 

It isn’t good to eat too much honey

    or to seek honor after honor.

BALANCE, SELF CONTROL

28 

Like a city breached, without walls,

    is a person who lacks self-control.

YES