6 Honour not thyself before a king, And in the place of the great stand not.
As to the asses which are lost to thee this day three days, set not thy heart to them, for they have been found; and to whom `is' all the desire of Israel?' is it not to thee and to all thy father's house?' And Saul answereth and saith, `Am not I a Benjamite -- of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? and why hast thou spoken unto me according to this word?' And Samuel taketh Saul, and his young man, and bringeth them in to the chamber, and giveth to them a place at the head of those called; and they `are' about thirty men.
And David saith unto Saul, `Who `am' I? and what my life -- the family of my father in Israel -- that I am son-in-law to the king?' And it cometh to pass, at the time of the giving of Merab daughter of Saul to David, that she hath been given to Adriel the Meholathite for a wife. And Michal daughter of Saul loveth David, and they declare to Saul, and the thing is right in his eyes, and Saul saith, `I give her to him, and she is to him for a snare, and the hand of the Philistines is on him;' and Saul saith unto David, `By the second -- thou dost become my son-in-law to-day.' And Saul commandeth his servants, `Speak unto David gently, saying, Lo, the king hath delighted in thee, and all his servants have loved thee, and now, be son-in-law to the king.' And the servants of Saul speak in the ears of David these words, and David saith, `Is it a light thing in your eyes to be son-in-law to the king -- and I a poor man, and lightly esteemed?'
and now, thus dost thou say to My servant, to David: `Thus said Jehovah of Hosts, I have taken thee from the comely place, from after the flock, to be leader over My people, over Israel; and I am with thee whithersoever thou hast gone, and I cut off all thine enemies from thy presence, and have made for thee a great name, as the name of the great ones who `are' in the earth, and I have appointed a place for My people, for Israel, and have planted it, and it hath tabernacled in its place, and it is not troubled any more, and the sons of perverseness do not add to afflict it any more, as in the beginning, even from the day that I appointed judges over My people Israel; and I have given rest to thee from all thine enemies, and Jehovah hath declared to thee that Jehovah doth make for thee a house. `When thy days are full, and thou hast lain with thy fathers, then I have raised up thy seed after thee which goeth out from thy bowels, and have established his kingdom; He doth build a house for My Name, and I have established the throne of his kingdom unto the age. I am to him for a father, and he is to Me for a son; whom in his dealings perversely I have even reproved with a rod of men, and with strokes of the sons of Adam, and My kindness doth not turn aside from him, as I turned it aside from Saul, whom I turned aside from before thee, and stedfast `is' thy house and thy kingdom unto the age before thee, thy throne is established unto the age.' According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so spake Nathan unto David.
And I say, `Ah, Lord Jehovah! lo, I have not known -- to speak, for I `am' a youth.' And Jehovah saith unto me, `Do not say, I `am' a youth, for to all to whom I send thee thou goest, and all that I command thee thou speakest. Be not afraid of their faces, for with thee `am' I to deliver thee, -- an affirmation of Jehovah.' And Jehovah putteth forth His hand, and striketh against my mouth, and Jehovah saith unto me, `Lo, I have put my words in thy mouth. See, I have charged thee this day concerning the nations, and concerning the kingdoms, to pluck up, and to break down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.'
And Amaziah saith unto Amos, `Seer, go flee for thee unto the land of Judah, and eat there bread, and there thou dost prophesy; and `at' Beth-El do not add to prophesy any more, for it `is' the king's sanctuary, and it `is' the royal house.' And Amos answereth and saith unto Amaziah, `I `am' no prophet, nor a prophet's son `am' I, but a herdsman I `am', and a cultivator of sycamores, and Jehovah taketh me from after the flock, and Jehovah saith unto me, Go, prophesy unto My people Israel.
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.