Proverbs 25

Notes

Ver. 2. It is the glory of God that his counsels are unfathomable, and his works, either of creation and providence, so mysterious, that the wisest on earth cannot comprehend their nature, reason, or ends: but it is the honour of kings diligently to search the Scriptures, thoroughly to examine intricate causes, and dive into plots and conspiracies, or fully to display the reasons of their actions. 3. But vulgar minds can no more judge of the secret reasons of statesmen, than they can perfectly search and measure the heavens and the earth. 4, 5. As silver, when purified from its dross, may be framed into whatever vessels the founder pleases; so kingdoms may be established in the most virtuous and happy forms, when wicked persons are removed from the counsels and company of kings. 6, 7. Never ambitiously affect or thrust thyself into courts, or any places or stations that belong not to thee; for it will be more honourable and satisfying to be invited to them, than to be disgracefully thrust from the honours which thou hast arrogated to thyself, and that in the presence of the prince unto whom thou hast approached too near. 8-10. Never enter into any contention till thou hast well considered the goodness and weight of thy cause, and how to manage it, lest in the issue thou be plunged into perplexity and covered with shame. And, if it be possible, make up matters privately, even where thy cause is good. And never let anger or hatred provoke thee to discover thy neighbour's secrets in order to disgrace him, lest such as hear of it not only reproach thee for thy perfidiousness, but even retort upon thee such shameful conduct, which will render thee infamous through life. 11, 12. A wise instruction, advice, reproof, or word of comfort, seasonably and properly given, is comely, valuable, and ornamental: and scarcely can anything be more ornamental in life than a ready and humble hearkening and submitting to wise and seasonable reproof. 13. Cold drink or air in harvest is not more grateful and refreshing to the reapers, than good servants or ambassadors are to their masters, by their speedy despatch of the important business committed to them, and faithful report of their success. 14. It is extremely empty and deceiving to boast of graces, virtues, or abilities which we have not, or to promise what we cannot or care not to perform. 15. By patient submission and expectation princes are most readily pacified and persuaded: and humble, soft, and affectionate language bows the most stiff and hardened tempers, and overcomes even stubborn resolutions to the contrary. 16. Created comforts and pleasures are very agreeable if used in due moderation; but otherwise they lose their relish and plunge us into guilt and trouble. 17. To maintain a friendly intercourse with our neighbours is dutiful and pleasant; but too many, too long, or unseasonable visits render us disagreeable and disliked. 18. Slander and a bearing false witness are most dangerous and murderous means of destroying our neighbour. 19. Confidence in an unfaithful person in the time of trouble will, to our great anguish and grief, entirely disappoint us of help or relief. 20. As taking away clothes in winter increases our sense of cold, and vinegar irritates nitre, so unseasonable mirth renders a sad heart still more sorrowful. 21, 22. In time of need always render good for evil; and kindly bestow necessary supplies on such as have injured thee: thus shalt thou soften their rage, slay their hatred, and gain their affections; and the Lord shall reward thee with blessings, while he fearfully punishes them if they continue obstinate. 23. As the north wind in many countries dispels clouds and prevents rain, so frowns and rebukes check reproachful slandering and lying. 24. It is better to live cooped up in a corner, exposed to all the injuries of the weather, than in a large family and stately palace with a contentious, brawling, and scolding wife. 25. Good and certain news from a far country, where our friends and fortunes are, is expected with impatience, heard with delight, and believed and thought on with refreshing pleasure; but especially the gospel, which brings from God the blessed tidings of pardon, peace, grace, and salvation. 26. When righteous men are decoyed into scandalous sins, or are degraded from their influence and authority, and oppressed and persecuted, it is as hurtful to a church or nation as if the public fountains were corrupted and poisoned. 27. To hunt after worldly applause and honours, however sweet they be to corrupt nature, is extremely disgraceful and dangerous. 28. And to be furious and passionate renders us useless and miserable.

Ver. 1. Men of Hezekiah. Who the 'men of Hezekiah' were is unknown; and in such cases conjecture is useless. Nor would the knowledge be of any value, for the object of the record is not to give authority to these proverbs, but to remind the wise men of one generation to preserve and copy out for circulation the wisdom of a foregoing generation.—Note, It is thus God has given grace to the Protestant churches to multiply and circulate so many millions of copies of the Holy Scriptures in almost all languages of the earth. C.

Ver. 9. In perfect accordance with that precept of our Saviour, 'If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone,' Mat. 18. 15.—Every confidential secret implies a trust; and he that reveals it, even to his most intimate friend, thereby teaches that friend to divulge it to another, and is thus most likely to be brought to shame as an idle babbler or unfaithful steward. C.

Ver. 11. Holden and others interpret the passage of oranges, citrons, and such golden or precious fruit, produced at feasts in baskets of silver network. But as it contains no mention of taste, the reference seems rather to be to figures of fruit of gold, interspersed amongst branches and leaves of silver, according to the gorgeous style of eastern palaces. C.

Ver. 13. As the cold of snow in the time of harvest. The snow of the lofty Hermon supplied, throughout the heat of summer and toil of harvest, snow for cooling either wine or water— the most reviving of all cordials under a burning sun. C.

Ver. 17. No wise man can be much in his neighbour's house; for any man will find useful employment in his own. And he that imposes himself upon others, because he is weary of himself or of his duty, will soon become a weariness and a nuisance to others. C.

Ver. 20. As vinegar upon nitre. Vinegar poured on the nitre of the ancients (carbonate of soda) causes an instant ebullition in the form of tears. And so does the ill-timed mirth of the fool wring new sorrows from the heavy heart. C.

Ver. 22. Thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, &c. And so extract love from his angry heart, and purify him from his enmity, as 'coals of fire' extract metals from the hard rock, and clear away the dross with which they are commingled. 'The Lord shall reward thee' with thine enemy's conversion, or the peace of thine own conscience. C.

Ver. 26. A righteous man, tempted by fear or hope, to flatter and become subservient to the wicked, is sure to trouble his own peace of mind, if not finally to corrupt his principles. Peter trembling before a servant maid, and accommodating his speech to a rude and blasphemous soldiery, is a striking exemplification of this proverb. C.