Background
Will like to post a couple of times on our title verse.
Holy Scripture
Proverbs 25:13, 14 ( Link )
13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given
Series
- Proverbs 25:14 – “Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given” – Day 01
Link - Proverbs 25:14 – “Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given” – Day 02
Link
Scripture
More Proverbs of Solomon
1 These are additional proverbs of Solomon, which were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter
and the glory of kings to search it out.
3 As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,
so the hearts of kings cannot be searched.
4 Remove the dross from the silver,
and a vessel for a silversmith will come forth.
5 Remove the wicked from the king’s presence,
and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king,
and do not stand in the place of great men;
7 for it is better that he says to you, “Come up here!”
than that you should be demoted in the presence of the prince.
Even what you have seen with your own eyes,
8 do not bring hastily to court.
Otherwise, what will you do in the end
when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 Argue your case with your neighbor
without betraying another’s confidence,
10 lest the one who hears may disgrace you,
and your infamy never go away.
11 A word fitly spoken
is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold
is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.
Teaching
Verse 1
Commentaries
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
7.THE THIRD GREAT DIVISION OF THE BOOK; ANOTHER COLLECTION OF SOLOMONIC PROVERBS, CHIEFLY PARABOLIC IN CHARACTER (Proverbs 25-29).(1) These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah copied out.–To this time they had existed, it may be, partly by oral tradition, partly in writing, but now Hezekiah, in his anxiety to preserve these sacred memorials of the past, had them copied out and formed into one collection. To his care we probably also owe the compilation of Books II. (Psalms 42-72) and III. (73-89) of the Psalter, in the former of which are included several psalms of David’s which had not found a place in Book I., though this last-named book consists almost, if not entirely, of psalms ascribed to him. In the same manner the present book (Proverbs 25-29) contains proverbs of Solomon which apparently were not known to the compiler of the previous collection.
Observation
I like, actually enjoy, Charles Ellicott’s take.
He says King Hezekiah acted in anxiety.
King Hezekiah was not acting in assuredness.
King Hezekiah was not acting based on a referral of what was agreed upon in a meeting.
King Hezekiah prompted by the spirit of the living God acted in haste.
King Hezekiah summoned his men.
King Hezekiah carefully chose trustworthy men to transcribe the earlier work of King Solomon.
Verse 2
and the glory of kings to search it out.
Commentaries
Pulpit Commentary
The pulpit commentary uses a couple of verses to shed light on the mysteries of God.
- Deuteronomy 29:29 – The covenant in Moab ( Link )
- 29 The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, so that we may follow all the words of this law.
- Isaiah 45:15 – God calls Cyrus ( Link )
- 15 Truly you are a God who hides himself
- Ecclesiastes 8:17 – God’s Ways are Mysterious ( Link )
- 16 When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe the task that one performs on the earth—though his eyes do not see sleep in the day or even in the night
17 I saw every work of God, and that a man is unable to comprehend the work that is done under the sun. Despite his efforts to search it out, he cannot find its meaning; even if the wise man claims to know, he is unable to comprehend.
- 16 When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe the task that one performs on the earth—though his eyes do not see sleep in the day or even in the night
- Romans 11:33 – A Hymn of Praise ( Link )
- 32 For God has consigned everyone to disobedience so that He may have mercy on everyone.
33 O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!
34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?
- 32 For God has consigned everyone to disobedience so that He may have mercy on everyone.
- Psalm 40:5 – I Waited Patiently for the LORD ( Link )
- 5 Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders You have done, and the plans You have for us—none can compare to You—if I proclaim and declare them, they are more than I can count.
6 Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but my ears You have opened. Burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not require.
- 5 Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders You have done, and the plans You have for us—none can compare to You—if I proclaim and declare them, they are more than I can count.
Verse 3
so the hearts of kings cannot be searched.
Commentaries
Pulpit Commentary
Verse 4
and a vessel for a silversmith will come forth.
Commentaries
Ellicott’s Commentary
(4) And there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
Parallel Verses
- Proverbs 17:3 – Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness ( Link )
- The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
Verse 5
and his throne will be established in righteousness.
Observation
In verse 5, Solomon admonishes us to closely guide our assembly.
Wickedness in the innermost court will corrupt the throne figuratively and practically.
Verse 6
and do not stand in the place of great men;
Observation
In verse 6, Solomon guides against self exaltation.
Verse 7
than that you should be demoted in the presence of the prince.
Even what you have seen with your own eyes,
Observation
In Luke 14:8 ( Link ), your messiah has this to say:-
When thou art invited to a wedding, sit not down in the first place, lest perhaps one more honourable than thou be invited by him:
The key preposition are:-
- When one believes in the certainty of honor, one should temper one’s expectations
- When one believes the host has no one better, no one greater, not to accost the host our judgement
Verse 8
8 do not bring hastily to court.
Otherwise, what will you do in the end
when your neighbor puts you to shame?
Observation
In verse 8, Solomon speaks to guarding ourselves against pre-supposing that we will get more favorable ears in sharing our discourse through legal channels.
Verses 9-10
without betraying another’s confidence,
10 lest the one who hears may disgrace you,
and your infamy never go away.
Observation
In verses 9 and 10, Solomon implores us in the following ways:-
- Tempered Discourse
- Safely guarding other’s confidence
- Not trusting that our betrayed confidence will result in building out of everlasting trust
Verses 11
is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Observation
In verse 11, Solomon encourages us to speak gratefully and gracefully
Verses 12
is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.
Observation
To guard against those who carry rumors and hear says, Solomon advises us to be few with adversarial conduct and words overall.
Learning in the Open 