In this and the four following chapters are contained various maxims and observations of Solomon, collected by the men of Hezekiah, about kings, and other subjects of both private and public concern.
1THESE are also proverbs of Solomon, which 1the men of Hezekiah king of Judah 2copied out.
1 Understand wise men or prophets who lived at the time of king Hezekiah and to whom he committed this work to be done, which they performed by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost.
2 This is thought to have been done when king Hezekiah settled in order both the ecclesiastical and civil state of his kingdom; for, Solomon had spoken three thousands proverbs, 1 Kings 4:32.
23It is the glory of God to conceal aa4thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a 5matter.
3 That is, it tends to God’s glory.
a Rom. 11:33.
4 Namely, concerning that which He decrees within Himself and executes in due time, which is oftentimes incomprehensible to the understanding of all reasonable creatures, and into which we may not curiously search, but ought to adore with all humility and reverence; whereby He is honored. Compare Deut. 29:29; Rom. 11:33.
5 Namely, which concerns their government, and whereof they ought to have knowledge and understanding, in order that they may do good justice unto their subjects, and may prudently manage their government.
3The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is 6unsearchable.
6 Namely, which cannot be done fully and perfectly by any, and is or can be done but in part by many and by the greatest part of men in no wise at all.
47Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.b
7 As silver, being purified from scum and dross, becomes a suitable mass for the goldsmith to make thereof a beautiful piece of work, so a king, by putting away from him the scum and dross of wicked and unrighteous persons, makes his court honorable and establishes thereby his throne and kingdom.
b refiner
5Takec away the wicked from before the king, and hisd throne shall be established in righteousness.
c Prov. 20:8.
d Prov. 20:28.
68Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and 9stand not in the place of great men:
8 Or, do not put yourself stately or haughty, namely either in words or behavior, or apparel, or any other way.
9 Namely, in regard you are not of the number of great men. Understand by great men those who are great in regard of birth, state, office, gifts, dignity. See 2 Kings 10 on verse 6.
7For better it is that it be said unto thee, 10Comee up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the 11prince 12whom thine eyes have seen.
10 Compare Luke 14:10.
e Luke 14:7, 8, 9, etc.
11 See of the Hebrew word Job 12 on verse 21.
12 That is, unto whom you have joined yourself too close as to look him in the face with too much freedom. Other, that thine eyes should see it, that is, that you must see it before your own eyes, without being able to prevent it.
8Gof not forth 13hastily to strive, lest thou know not 14what to do in the end 15thereof, when 16thy neighbour hath put thee 17to shame.
f Prov. 18:17.
13 That is, rashly, unadvisedly.
14 Namely, what would be unseemly and worthy of punishment, as with quarrelling, fighting, wounding and killing.
15 Namely, of entering hastily into strives and law suits.
16 Namely, who contends or goes to law with you.
17 Namely, having conquered you at law, and having proved that you have impeached him unjustly and falsely.
918Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and 19discoverg not a secret to another:
18 That is, if you have a dispute with your neighbor, endeavor first to finish the business among yourselves, and be not hasty to bring this before the judge.
19 That is, behave yourself modest and temperate in your dispute as such that you do not wrong your neighbor in his reputation, by discovering what might very well be concealed. Or, discover not what another has told you privately, whether it is he who has given you counsel concerning your own affair, or whether it is such a thing, as he would by no means have another to know it.
g uncover, disclose*
10Lest he that heareth it put thee to 20shame, and thine infamy 21turn not away.
20 Namely, by calling you a whisperer or talebearer.
21 That is, will not cease, but will abide continually with you.
11A word 22fitly spoken is like apples of gold 23in picturesh of silver.
22 That is, in due time and place, and to purpose. Hebr. according to its ways, or wheels.
23 Or, silver pictures or images. Other, adorned with silver leaf-work.
h images carved in relief
12As an 24earring of gold, and an 25ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an 26obedient ear.
24 That is, as a golden earring. See of the Hebrew word Gen. 24 on verse 22.
25 Other, collar. Other, jewel, or necklace.
26 That is, which is willing and diligent to hearken to good instruction and advice.
13As the cold of snow 27in the time of harvest, so is ai faithful messenger 28to them that send him: for he 29refresheth the soul of his masters.
27 Namely, this is to the reapers, when, being very thirsty by reason of the heat of the day, and the hardness of their labor, they long for a draught of cool drink.
i Prov. 13:17.
28 He has respect to the manner or custom of those who dwell in hot countries, and in the heat of summer cool their drink with ice or snow, which for that very purpose they keep in deep cellars under the ground.
29 Namely, when he brings back good tidings. See of the Hebrew word Psalm 19 on verse 7.
14Whoso boasteth himself of a 30false gift is 31like clouds and wind without 32rain.
30 That is, which he indeed promises in words, but gives it not in deed and in truth. Hebr. gift of falsehood.
31 See also of the same similitude 2 Peter 2:17; Jude verse 12.
32 The Hebrew word geschem signifies for the most part a great shower of rain, which falls down in great abundance and with a mighty violence, as Gen. 7:12; 8:2; Ezra 10:9. But here it seems to signify all kind of rain, as 1 Kings 17:7.
15By long forbearing is aj prince 33persuaded, and a 34soft tongue breaketh 35the bone.
j Prov. 15:1; 16:14.
33 That is, moved, as with reasons and arguments to do that whereunto otherwise he had no inclination.
34 That is, soft speech.
35 That is, the mind, which is as hard as bone, or (as we say) as hard as stone.
16Hast thou found 36honey? eat 37so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be 38filled therewith, and vomit it.
36 Understand under this word all manner of pleasant food, whereof as much as may suffice nature, in order to avoid all excessive and immoderate misuse. Some understand hereby the searching after high and heavenly things, which are indeed delightful and pleasant to the spirit of man, but do exceed and surmount the measure of his apprehension. This verse may be likewise understood of the right use of true friendship, which is very pleasant and delightful, whereof mention is made in the next verse.
37 Hebr. thy sufficiency, that is, as much as suffices nature, as much as your health may bear.
38 Namely, if you ate more than is enough for you.
1739Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
39 Or, Let thy foot be seldom in. Hebr. keep thy foot precious, that is, sparingly, from going too boldly into your neighbor’s house, and discourteously misusing the familiarity and kindness which he shows towards you. Compare 1 Sam. 3 on verse 1.
18A man that 40beareth false witness against his neighbour is ak maul,l and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
40 Hebr. answering. See Judges 18 on verse 14.
k Psalm 11:2; 57:4; 59:7; 120:4; Prov. 12:18.
l hammer, mallet
1941Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is 42like a broken tooth, and a foot 43out of joint.
41 Hebr. the confidence of an unfaithful man, that is, the confidence that is put in an unfaithful friend, or the confidence which an unfaithful person himself has in anything in time of need.
42 Namely, to chew therewith when a man is hungry.
43 Namely, to run therewith, when one must haste away. The Hebrew word signifies properly a foot, which, because it is out of joint, is ever ready to stumble and fall.
20As he that 44taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as 45vinegar upon nitre,m so is hen that singeth songs to an 46heavy heart.
44 Which is not done in this season.
45 Which dissolves the nitre, or causes it to melt.
m carbonate of soda
n Rom. 12:15.
46 Hebr. evil or bad, that is, sad or sorrowful. See Gen. 40 on verse 7. The word good is likewise taken for merry or joyful. See 1 Kings 21 on verse 7. The meaning is: that it is not proper to sing merry songs in the presence of those who are sad and heavy, for with those we ought to be sad and heavy, and to be joyful with those who are joyful, Rom. 12:15.
21Ifo thine enemyp be hungry, give him 47bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
o Rom. 12:20.
p Exod. 23:4, 5.
47 Understand by bread and water all bodily necessities, namely, meat and drink. See 1 Kings 13:8 and the annotation.
22For thou shalt 48heap 49coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward 50thee.
48 Hebr. take, that is, taking heap. The Hebrews do often comprehend under one word also the signification of another. See Gen. 12 on verse 15.
49 That is, you shall drive him to this that he will soon lay aside all malice and enmity which he has against you, as one who would have hot burning coals laid upon his head he would right away shake them off from him. Or you shall soften his heart and make it pliable that he shall be convinced of the wrong that he has done you; as smiths are wont to mollify and sharpen iron with hot burning coals.
50 Namely, the good you have done to your enemy, although he is unthankful toward you.
23The north wind 51driveth away rain: so doth an 52angry countenance a 53backbiting tongue.
51 Hebr. causeth or procureth sorrow; which some understand of driving away, others of bearing or bringing forth.
52 Namely, of a wise and godly man, who takes no delight in such a tongue as is here mentioned.
53 Hebr. a tongue of secrecy, that is, who speaks not downright, but uses deceit, flattering, backbiting, stinging and provoking, etc.
2454Itq is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a 55brawling woman and in a wide house.
54 See the exposition of this verse Prov. 21 on verse 9.
q Prov. 21:9, 19.
55 Hebr. a housewife of brawlings.
25As cold waters to a thirsty 56soul, so is good news from a far country.
56 That is, man or person. See Gen. 12 on verse 5. The sense is: that a person with a good tiding is as well refreshed with fresh cool water as one who is weary.
26A righteous man 57falling down before the wicked is as a troubled 58fountain, and a corrupt spring.
57 Namely, committing some fault in the sight of a wicked man. Or, not daring to do his office in reproving a wicked person. Compare Job 4 on verse 4.
58 The mouths and teachings of godly men are resembled to fountains and springs, from which all good instructions flow, Prov. 10:11; 13:14; 16:22. When therefore, by reason of some cross or affliction, they come to fail in the performance of their office, it is then as if the fountain was troubled and muddy, and the well clogged.
2759It is 60not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
59 This verse may otherwise be thus rendered: It is not good to eat much honey, but the searching of the glory of such things is honour.
60 But indeed bad and harmful. Compare verse 16.
28Her61that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
r Prov. 16:32.
61 That is, he who cannot bridle or master his mind, affections and motions. Hebr. whose spirit hath no restraint or rule.