We will now look at chapter 25.
1 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed. Proverbs 25:1 (NASB)
Hezekiah's story is told in 2 Kings 18-20; 2 Chronicles 29-32; and Isaiah 36-39. He was one of the few kings of Judah who honored the Lord. By contrast, his father, Ahaz, actually nailed the Temple door shut. Hezekiah restored the Temple, destroyed idol worship centers, and earned the respect of surrounding nations, many of whom brought gifts to God because of him. It is not surprising that Hezekiah had these proverbs copied and read, for "in all that he did in the service of the Temple of God and in his efforts to follow God's laws and commands, Hezekiah sought his God wholeheartedly. As a result, he was very successful".
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. Proverbs 25:2 (NASB)
Matthew Henry says of this verse:
"God needs not search into anything; nothing can be hid from him. But it is the honor of rulers to search out matters, to bring to light hidden works of darkness."
3 As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable. Proverbs 25:3 (NASB)
Do we truly understand all that is going on in the government? It would be almost impossible to understand it all. It would be as difficult as understanding the heavens or the depths of the earth.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, And there comes out a vessel for the smith; Proverbs 25:4 (NASB)
Silver must be passed through the fire to make it pure. A silver smith cannot make a pure vessel without pure silver.
5 Take away the wicked before the king, And his throne will be established in righteousness. Proverbs 25:5 (NASB)
Clarke has said of this verse:
"You cannot have a pure silver vessel till you have purified the silver; and no nation can have a king - a public blessing till the wicked - all bad counselors, wicked and interested ministers, and sycophants - are banished from the court and cabinet. When the wise and good only are the king’s ministers and advisers, then the throne will be established in righteousness, and his administration be a universal blessing."
6 Do not claim honor in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of great men; 7 For it is better that it be said to you, "Come up here," Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes have seen. Proverbs 25:6-7 (NASB)
The pushing and shoving - boastful temper - is, in the long run, suicidal. It is wiser as well as nobler to take the lower place at first in humility, than to take it afterward with shame.
Remember the parable in Luke 14:8-10:
"When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give your place to this man,' and then in disgrace you proceed to occupy the last place. "But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you. "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 14:8-11 (NASB)
8 Do not go out hastily to argue your case; Otherwise, what will you do in the end, When your neighbor humiliates you? Proverbs 25:8 (NASB)
There are those who are out to look for a good argument. They want to take everyone to court. But do not be hasty in these actions for it may bring dishonor to you. If you are brought to court or need to go to court - search out the case.
9 Argue your case with your neighbor, And do not reveal the secret of another, Proverbs 25:9 (NASB)
This is always to be the first step if you have an argument with someone. Talk to the person who has offended you or you have offended. Keep it between yourselves. There is no reason for the whole neighborhood to know what is going on. Jesus said:
"If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother." Matthew 18:15 (NASB)
10 Or he who hears it will reproach you, And the evil report about you will not pass away. Proverbs 25:10 (NASB)
Verse 10 is a continuation of verse 9. If the issue is not done in private - it will not go away.
11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances. Proverbs 25:11 (NASB)
Words spoken at the proper time - in the proper manner - have power.
12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise reprover to a listening ear. Proverbs 25:12 (NASB)
I have heard it said, "A listening ear is better than one that is adorned with a beautiful ear ring. But this proverb speaks of one who brings you wisdom through reproof. I don't think that there are any who like criticism - but if the criticism is justified - we should listen.
13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters. Proverbs 25:13 (NASB)
It is often difficult to find people you can really trust. Faithful employees - "trustworthy messengers" - are punctual, responsible, honest, and hardworking. Such people are invaluable as they help take some of the pressure off their employer. Find out what your employer needs from you to make his or her job easier, and do it.
14 Like clouds and wind without rain Is a man who boasts of his gifts falsely. Proverbs 25:14 (NASB)
Most churches, missions organizations, and Christian groups depend on the gifts of people to keep their ministries going. But many who promise to give fail to follow through. The Bible is very clear about the effect this has on those involved in the ministry. If you make a pledge, keep your promise.
15 By forbearance a ruler may be persuaded, And a soft tongue breaks the bone. Proverbs 25:15 (NASB)
Don't give up the task of following the path of righteousness. Keep speaking the truth in love. Even a soft tongue can break a bone. Keep on keeping on.
16 Have you found honey? Eat only what you need, That you not have it in excess and vomit it. Proverbs 25:16 (NASB)
Honey is good. But too much of it can make you sick. Seek to do things in moderation.
17 Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor's house, Or he will become weary of you and hate you. Proverbs 25:17 (NASB)
Give a horse a lump of sugar once in awhile and they will follow you anywhere. It is different to visit your neighbor every once in awhile - than to live there. It is one thing to be a guest rather than a pest.
18 Like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow Is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor. Proverbs 25:18 (NASB)
Lying about someone is as vicious as an act of physical violence. Its effects can be as permanent as those of a wound. The next time you are tempted to pass on a bit of gossip, imagine yourself wounding the victim of your remarks with a sword. This image may shock you into silence.
19 Like a bad tooth and an unsteady foot Is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble. Proverbs 25:19 (NASB)
A faithless person's confidence is like a rotten tooth or a broken foot. What good is the advice of an idiot? Will there advise keep you on the path of righteousness? We can learn from a fool - but only how not to act.
20 Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on soda, Is he who sings songs to a troubled heart. Proverbs 25:20 (NASB)
There is appropriate behavior (words and actions) at appropriate times - wisdom leads us to right behavior at the right time.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; Proverbs 25:21 (NASB)
God's form of retaliation is most effective and yet difficult to do. Paul quotes this proverb in Romans 12:19-21. Jesus encourages us to pray for those who hurt us. By returning good for evil, we are acknowledging God as the balancer of all accounts and trusting him to be the judge. Jesus said:
"But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Matthew 5:44 (NASB)
22 For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the Lord will reward you. Proverbs 25:22 (NASB)
It has been said, "As metals are melted by heaping coals upon them, so is the heart softened by kindness."
23 The north wind brings forth rain, And a backbiting tongue, an angry countenance. Proverbs 25:23 (NASB)
If you are close to someone - you are aware of what words will make them angry. Why speak them unless you are looking for a good fight? You can help set the weather pattern of those you are close to.
24 It is better to live in a corner of the roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman. Proverbs 25:24 (NASB)
Matthew Henry has said of this verse:
"It is better to be alone, than to be joined to one who is a hinderance to the comfort of life."
25 Like cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a distant land. Proverbs 25:25 (NASB)
Matthew Henry says of this verse:
"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!"
26 Like a trampled spring and a polluted well Is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. Proverbs 25:26 (NASB)
To compromise with the wicked means setting aside your standards of right and wrong. No one is helped by someone who compromises with the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat much honey, Nor is it glory to search out one's own glory. Proverbs 25:27 (NASB)
I have found that awards in this life are often unfair. Those who do not deserve them - often get them and those who deserve them are often overlooked. Dwelling on the honors you deserve can only be harmful. It can make you bitter, discouraged, or angry, and it will not bring you the rewards that you think should be yours. Pining for what you should have received may make you miss the satisfaction of knowing you did your best.
28 Like a city that is broken into and without walls Is a man who has no control over his spirit. Proverbs 25:28 (NASB)
Even though city walls restricted the inhabitants' movements, people were happy to have them. Without walls, they would have been vulnerable to attack by any passing group of marauders. Self-control limits us, to be sure, but it is necessary. An out-of-control life is open to all sorts of attacks by the enemy. Think of self-control as a wall for defense and protection.
