5 Take away H1898 the wicked H7563 from before H6440 the king, H4428 and his throne H3678 shall be established H3559 in righteousness. H6664
He that worketh H6213 deceit H7423 shall not dwell H3427 within H7130 my house: H1004 he that telleth H1696 lies H8267 shall not tarry H3559 in my sight. H5869 I will early H1242 destroy H6789 all the wicked H7563 of the land; H776 that I may cut off H3772 all wicked H205 doers H6466 from the city H5892 of the LORD. H3068
Wherein the king H4428 granted H5414 the Jews H3064 which were in every city H5892 to gather themselves together, H6950 and to stand H5975 for their life, H5315 to destroy, H8045 to slay, H2026 and to cause to perish, H6 all the power H2428 of the people H5971 and province H4082 that would assault H6696 them, both little ones H2945 and women, H802 and to take the spoil H7998 of them for a prey, H962 Upon one H259 day H3117 in all the provinces H4082 of king H4428 Ahasuerus, H325 namely, upon the thirteenth H7969 H6240 day of the twelfth H8147 H6240 month, H2320 which is the month H2320 Adar. H143 The copy H6572 of the writing H3791 for a commandment H1881 to be given H5414 in every province H4082 was published H1540 unto all people, H5971 and that the Jews H3064 should be ready H6264 H6259 against that day H3117 to avenge H5358 themselves on their enemies. H341 So the posts H7323 that rode H7392 upon mules H7409 and camels H327 went out, H3318 being hastened H926 and pressed on H1765 by the king's H4428 commandment. H1697 And the decree H1881 was given H5414 at Shushan H7800 the palace. H1002 And Mordecai H4782 went out H3318 from the presence H6440 of the king H4428 in royal H4438 apparel H3830 of blue H8504 and white, H2353 and with a great H1419 crown H5850 of gold, H2091 and with a garment H8509 of fine linen H948 and purple: H713 and the city H5892 of Shushan H7800 rejoiced H6670 and was glad. H8056 The Jews H3064 had light, H219 and gladness, H8057 and joy, H8342 and honour. H3366 And in every province, H4082 and in every city, H5892 whithersoever H4725 the king's H4428 commandment H1697 and his decree H1881 came, H5060 the Jews H3064 had joy H8057 and gladness, H8342 a feast H4960 and a good H2896 day. H3117 And many H7227 of the people H5971 of the land H776 became Jews; H3054 for the fear H6343 of the Jews H3064 fell H5307 upon them.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 25
Commentary on Proverbs 25 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 25
Pr 25:1-28.
1. The character of these proverbs sustains the title (see Introduction).
also—refers to the former part of the book.
copied out—literally, "transferred," that is, from some other book to this; not given from memory.
2. God's unsearchableness impresses us with awe (compare Isa 45:15; Ro 11:33). But kings, being finite, should confer with wise counsellors;
3. Ye wisely keeping state secrets, which to common men are as inaccessible heights and depths.
4, 5. As separating impurities from ore leaves pure silver, so taking from a king wicked counsellors leaves a wise and beneficent government.
5. before—or, "in presence of," as courtiers stood about a king.
6, 7. Do not intrude into the presence of the king, for the elevation of the humble is honorable, but the humbling of the proud disgraceful (Lu 14:8-10).
8. (Compare Pr 3:30).
lest … shame—lest you do what you ought not, when shamed by defeat, or "lest thou art shut out from doing any thing."
9, 10. (Compare Mt 5:25, Margin).
secret—that is, of your opponent, for his disadvantage, and so you be disgraced, not having discussed your difficulties with him.
11. a word fitly—literally, "quickly," as wheels roll, just in time. The comparison as apples … silver gives a like sense.
apples, &c.—either real apples of golden color, in a silver network basket, or imitations on silver embroidery.
12. Those who desire to know and do rightly, most highly esteem good counsel (Pr 9:9; 15:31). The listening ear is better than one hung with gold.
13. Snow from mountains was used to cool drinks; so refreshing is a faithful messenger (Pr 13:17).
14. clouds—literally, "vapors" (Jer 10:13), clouds only in appearance.
a false gift—promised, but not given.
15. Gentleness and kindness overcome the most powerful and obstinate.
long forbearing—or, "slowness to anger" (Pr 14:29; 15:18).
16, 17. A comparison, as a surfeit of honey produces physical disgust, so your company, however agreeable in moderation, may, if excessive, lead your friend to hate you.
18. A false witness is as destructive to reputation, as such weapons to the body (Pr 24:28).
beareth … witness—literally, "answereth questions," as before a judge, against his neighbor.
19. Treachery annoys as well as deceives.
20. Not only is the incongruity of songs (that is, joyful) and sadness meant, but an accession of sadness, by want of sympathy, is implied.
21, 22. (Compare Mt 5:44; Ro 12:20). As metals are melted by heaping coals upon them, so is the heart softened by kindness.
23. Better, "As the north wind bringeth forth (Ps 90:2) or produces rain, so does a concealed or slandering tongue produce anger."
24. (Compare Pr 21:9, 19).
25. (Compare Pr 25:13).
good news—that is, of some loved interest or absent friend, the more grateful as coming from afar.
26. From troubled fountains and corrupt springs no healthy water is to be had, so when the righteous are oppressed by the wicked, their power for good is lessened or destroyed.
27. Satiety surfeits (Pr 25:16); so men who are self-glorious find shame.
is not glory—"not" is supplied from the first clause, or "is grievous," in which sense a similar word is used (Pr 27:2).
28. Such are exposed to the incursions of evil thoughts and successful temptations.