Hezekiah was one of the few kings who actually honoured God, 2 Chronicles 31:20-21. This verse has given scholars much to think about. Did Hezekiah do the following?
1. Transcribe from one book to another, 2. Translate, 3. Collate? What effect does this have on our understanding of inspiration? None. All were inspired by God, 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘It seems that the remaining part of this book contains proverbs which had been collected by the order of King Hezekiah, and were added to the preceding book as a sort of supplement, having been collected from traditional sayings of Solomon. And as the men of Hezekiah may mean Isaiah, Shebna, and other inspired men, who lived in that time, we may consider them as of equal authority with the rest, else such men could not have united them to the sacred book. The chronological notes in the margin of this and the five following chapters denote the time when the proverbs contained in them were collected together in the reign of Hezekiah, about two hundred and seventy years after the death of Solomon.’
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Proverbs 25:2 is not a reference to academic or scientific research, but it praises administrative probes. A king should know what is going on. Proverbs 25:3 is just another way of saying that nobody knows what any king is liable to do. The kings of Israel were a constant illustration of this truth. Proverbs 25:5 sets forth the requirement that if a king’s throne is to be established in righteousness, he must have proven and trustworthy servants and advisors. There prevailed among ancient kings the delusion that they ruled by Divine Right, and one may detect traces of this conceit in these verses.’
Prophecy is a perfect example of inspiration. It’s partially concealed until its fulfilment, then the glory of God’s wisdom and providence can be seen, Deuteronomy 29:29. There are so many things man does not know, Job 38-41.
How many times have our leaders listened to bad advice? Only when the kings, presidents and ministers are wise and good, will the government be established in righteousness, 1 Kings 12:1-17.
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘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 counsellors, wicked and interested ministers, and sycophants-are banished from the court and cabinet.’
Everyone needs a taste of humility from time to time, Philippians 2:3-8. If we won’t humble ourselves, then God will humble us, James 4:10 / Luke 14:7-11.
Once again, we’re reminded that we must obtain all of your information first before making any judgments on anyone else, 1 Corinthians 6:1-8. We must understand all of the facts accurately, Matthew 18:15 / Luke 12:57-59.
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘After squandering your money away upon lawyers, both they and the judge will at last leave it to be settled by twelve of your fellow citizens! OH, the folly of going to law! OH, the blindness of men, and the rapacity of unprincipled lawyers!’
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Another translation clarifies the passage: ‘Don’t be too quick to go to court about something you have seen; if another witness later proves you wrong, what will you do then? If you and your neighbour have a difference of opinion, settle it between yourselves and do not reveal any secrets. Otherwise, everyone will learn that you can’t keep a secret, and you will never live down the shame.’
This could be a gold earring or a gold nose ring.
McGee, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The apples of gold were probably oranges.’ However, the mention of ornaments such as an ear-ring in the parallel verse probably means that the ‘apples of gold’ were some kind of beautiful ornament.’
Cook, in his commentary, says the following.
‘This is probably a reference to some kingly gift that Hiram, king of Tyre, had presented to Solomon. People gazed upon the cunning work and admired it, but the wise king saw in the costly rarity a parable of something higher.’
The point is that gold pleases the eye, and a cool drink pleases the heart. Normally, harvest time is a hot and sweaty time. The cool snow is a welcome change. It is refreshing to find an honest and faithful messenger, in other words, someone you trust.
These clouds are not worth much, nor is this person. This person boasts how good they are, Acts 5:1-11, but when it is time to produce the results, there is nothing. We must keep our promises, 2 Peter 2:17.
Once again, we’re reminded of the tremendous power of the tongue; it can be used for good or bad, Luke 18:1-8 / James 3:3-6.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Jesus may have had this in mind when he spoke of the ‘unjust judge’, Luke 18:6. The American Standard Version marginal reading allows ‘judge’ here instead of ruler.’
Solomon is basically saying that we should be moderate with all of our enjoyments, don’t overindulge.
Henry, in his commentary, says the following.
1. We are allowed a sober and moderate use of the delights of sense: Hast thou found honey? It is not forbidden fruit to thee, as it was to Jonathan; thou mayest eat of it with thanksgiving to God, who, having created things grateful to our senses, has given us leave to make use of them. Eat as much as is sufficient, and no more. Enough is as good as a feast.
2. We are cautioned to take heed of excess. We must use all pleasures as we do honey, with a check upon our appetite, lest we take more than does us good and make ourselves sick with it. We are most in danger of surfeiting upon that which is most sweet, and therefore those that fare sumptuously every day have need to watch over themselves, lest their hearts be at any time overcharged. The pleasures of sense lose their sweetness by the excessive use of them and become nauseous, as honey, which turns sour in the stomach; it is therefore our interest, as well as our duty, to use them with sobriety.’
Here we’re reminded not to impose on our neighbour. In other words, everyone needs some privacy, Matthew 26:36-46.
Henry, in his commentary, says the following.
1. The sin condemned is bearing false witness against our neighbour, either in judgment or in common conversation, contrary to the law of the ninth commandment.
2. That which it is here condemned for is the mischievousness of it; it is in its power to ruin not only men’s reputation, but their lives, estates, families, all that is dear to them. A false testimony is everything that is dangerous; it is a maul (or club to knock a man’s brains out with), a flail, which there is no fence against; it is a sword to wound near at hand and a sharp arrow to wound at a distance; we have therefore need to pray, Deliver my soul, O Lord! from lying lips, Psalm 120:2.’
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following concerning Proverbs 25:19.
‘It would be hard for anyone to imagine two more uncomfortable conditions than those mentioned in line two. The more serious, of course, would be the foot out of joint (‘broken’ in some translations); because in loss of mobility one would be unable to flee from danger. To paraphrase the proverb it says that, ‘Trusting an unfaithful man in a crisis is both extremely painful and dangerous.’
When someone is sad, they don’t usually appreciate laughing and joking. Such actions do not make sense given the circumstances, Romans 12:15.
Henry, in his commentary, says the following.
1. The absurdity here censured is singing songs to a heavy heart. Those who are in great sorrow are to be comforted by sympathising with them, condoling with them, and concurring in their lamentation. If we take that method, the moving of our lips may assuage their grief, Job 16:5; but we take a wrong course with them if we think to relieve them by being merry with them, and endeavouring to make them merry; for it adds to their grief to see their friends so little concerned for them; it puts them upon ripping up the causes of their grief, and aggravating them, and makes them harden themselves in sorrow against the assaults of mirth.
2. The absurdities this is compared to are taking away a garment from a man in cold weather, which makes him colder, and pouring vinegar upon nitre, which, like water upon lime, puts it into a ferment; so improper, so incongruous, is it to sing pleasant songs to one that is of a sorrowful spirit. Some read it in a contrary sense: As he that puts on a garment in cold weather warms the body, or as vinegar upon nitre dissolves it, so he that sings songs of comfort to a person in sorrow refreshes him and dispels his grief.’
This verse is quoted in Romans 12:20. We should always go the extra mile to help others, even our enemies, 2 Kings 6:22 / Matthew 5:40-48 / Romans 12:14-21.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Heaping coals of fire upon the head of an enemy’ is a metaphor referring to the pangs of conscience that an enemy will experience upon receiving such undeserved treatment.’
When you find out that someone has been talking about you ‘behind your back’, it certainly does not bring smiles!
The husband has to go to the corner of the attic to get away from his wife, Proverbs 21:9. Solomon should know with his many wives, 1 Kings 11:3 / Proverbs 21:9.
Henry, in his commentary, says the following.
1. How those are to be pitied that are unequally yoked, especially with such as are brawling and contentious, whether husband or wife; for it is equally true of both. It is better to be alone than to be joined to one who, instead of being a meet-help, is a great hindrance to the comfort of life.
2. How those may sometimes be envied that live in solitude; as they want the comfort of society, so they are free from the vexation of it. And as there are cases which give occasion to say, ‘Blessed is the womb that has not borne,’ so there are cases which give occasion to say, ‘Blessed is the man who was never married, but who lies like a servant in a corner of the house-top.’
We all love a cool drink on a hot day, and we all love to hear nothing but good news, but there are times when we waste that good news on those who are just not interested, Matthew 10:14.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following concerning Proverbs 25:26.
‘Just as a corrupted source of water for a community brings sorrow to them all, so the tragic overthrow of a righteous man is a heartache to the surrounding neighbours and friends.’
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following concerning Proverbs 25:27.
‘He that searches too much into mysteries, is likely to be confounded by them. I really think this is the meaning of the place, and shall not puzzle either myself or my reader with the discordant explanations which have been brought forward with the hope of illustrating this passage.’
These verses are basically describing someone we cannot depend upon to stay within their limits. In other words, this is someone who, what we would say, just ‘flies off the handle,’ Ephesians 4:26.