Proverbs Chapter 25
1 These also are 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 glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner;
5 Take away the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Don't exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place amongst great men;
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.
8 Don't be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbour shames you?
9 Debate your case with your neighbour, and don't betray the confidence of another,
10 lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
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.
14 As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
15 By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.
16 Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbour's house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
18 A man who gives false testimony against his neighbour is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a lame foot.
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.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
23 The north wind produces rain; so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 Like a muddied spring and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it honourable to seek one's own honour.
28 Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
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Proverbs Chapter 25 Guide
We now come to the second collection of the proverbs of Solomon. These, as the title specifically declares, constitute a posthumous collection gathered in the days of Hezekiah. Speaking generally, the proverbs in this collection are more picturesque than the former. For the most part, they are antithetical, and logical.
These are pictures, and are more perfectly parabolic. In passing over them we shall again note some of the more striking.
Verse Proverbs 25:11. The figure is intended to suggest the thought of proper and beautiful setting. Delicate filigree work in silver forms a beautiful setting for apples of gold in that it shows them up in relief, and makes their value patent. So also a word which answers the apple of gold as a supreme value is yet more forceful as it is fitly spoken, that is, artistically.
Verse Proverbs 25:20. The proverb indicates the impropriety of making merry in the presence of sorrow. It is wrong in method and serves to increase distress rather than to soothe it.
Verse Proverbs 25:27. Much honey produces nausea. So eventually does self-glorification.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
Proverbs Chapter 25 Commentary
Verses 1-3
God needs not search into any thing; nothing can be hid from him. But it is the honour of rulers to search out matters, to bring to light hidden works of darkness.
Verses 4, 5
For a prince to suppress vice, and reform his people, is the best way to support his government.
Verses 6, 7
Religion teaches us humility and self-denial. He who has seen the glory of the Lord in Christ Jesus, will feel his own unworthiness.
Verses 8-10
To be hasty in beginning strife, will bring into difficulties. War must at length end, and might better be prevented. It is so in private quarrels; do all thou canst to settle the matter.
Verses 11, 12
A word of counsel, or reproof, rightly spoken, is especially beautiful, as fine fruit becomes still more beautiful in silver baskets.
Verse 13
See what ought to be the aim of him that is trusted with any business; to be faithful. A faithful minister, Christ's messenger, should be thus acceptable to us.
Verse 14
He who pretends to have received or given that which he never had, is like the morning cloud, that disappoints those who look for rain.
Verse 15
Be patient to bear a present hurt. Be mild to speak without passion; for persuasive language is the most effectual to prevail over the hardened mind.
Verse 16
God has given us leave to use grateful things, but we are cautioned against excess.
Verse 17
We cannot be upon good terms with our neighbours, without discretion as well as sincerity. How much better a Friend is God than any other friend! The oftener we come to him, the more welcome.
Verse 18
A false testimony is dangerous in every thing.
Verse 19
Confidence in an unfaithful man is painful and vexatious; when we put any stress on him, he not only fails, but makes us feel for it.
Verse 20
We take a wrong course if we think to relieve those in sorrow by endeavouring to make them merry.
Verses 21, 22
The precept to love even our enemies is an Old Testament commandment. Our Saviour has shown his own great example in loving us when we were enemies.
Verse 23
Slanders would not be so readily spoken, if they were not readily heard. Sin, if it receives any check, becomes cowardly.
Verse 24
It is better to be alone, than to be joined to one who is a hinderance to the comfort of life.
Verse 25
Heaven is a country afar off; how refreshing is good news from thence, in the everlasting gospel, which signifies glad tidings, and in the witness of the Spirit with our spirits that we are God's children!
Verse 26
When the righteous are led into sin, it is as hurtful as if the public fountains were poisoned.
Verse 27
We must be, through grace, dead to the pleasures of sense, and also to the praises of men.
Verse 28
The man who has no command over his anger, is easily robbed of peace. Let us give up ourselves to the Lord, and pray him to put his Spirit within us, and cause us to walk in his statutes.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.