Proverbs 25

Gods glory; and counsel, verse 2. Also the honour of Kings, their deep apprehension, their office, and conversing with them, 2,3,4,5,6,7. Causes, or Law-suits, 8,9,10. To speak and reprove in due season,11,12. False boasting of liberality, 14. Long forbearing, soft tongue, 15. Eating honey, or right moderation in corporals, and spirituals, 16,27. Conversing with friends, 17. False witness, 18. Unfaithful persons, 19. Sorrowful men, 20. Kindness unto haters and enemies, 21,22. Hypocritical tongue, 23. Brawling woman, 24. Good tidings, 25. Weakness of the godly before the wicked, 26. Hasty anger, 28.

1. These are also Proverbs of Salomon, which the men of Hizkia King of Juda copied out. [Understand by these, wise men, or prophets, that lived in Kings Hizkia’s time, and to whom he committed this work to be done, which they performed by the instinct, or inspiration of the holy Ghost. This is thought to have been done, when King Hizkia settled both the Ecclesiastical and Civil state of his Kingdom in order. For Salomon had spoken three thousand proverbs, 1 Kings 4:32.]

2. It is the glory of God, [That is, it tendeth to Gods glory] to conceal a matter; [to wit, concerning that which he secretly decreeth with himself, and executeth in due time, which is oftentimes incomprehensible to wisdom and understanding all reasonable creatures, and which we may not curiously dive and search into, but ought with all humility and reverence to admire and adore; whereby he is honoured and exalted. Compare Deut.29.29. Rom.11.33.] but the honour of a King is to search out a matter, [to wit, that concerneth their government, and whereof they ought to have knowledge, and understanding, that they may do justice and judgement unto their subjects, and wisely and prudently manage their government.]

3. At the height of heaven, and (at) the depth of the earth, and (at) the heart of Kings, (there) is no searching. [To wit, which may be done fully and perfectly by any, and is or can be done but in part by many, and by the greatest part of men in no wise at all.]

4. Take away the dross from the silver; and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.

5. Take away the wicked from the face of the King: and his throne shall be established in righteousness. [As silver that is purified from scum and dross, becometh fit matter for the Gold-smith to make some precious vessel thereof; so a King by putting away from him the scum and dross of wicked and unrighteous persons, maketh his Court honourable, and established his Throne and Kingdom thereby. Compare above chapter 20. Verse 8. And 28.]

6. Be not proud [Or, do not demean thy self stately, or, haughty; to wit, either in words, or behaviour, or apparel, or any other way] before the face of the King: and stand not in the place of great men. [to wit, in regard thou art not of the number of great men. Understand by great men, those that be great in regard of birth, honour, office, gifts, dignity, &c. See 2 Kings 10.on ver.6.]

7. For better it is, that be said unto thee: Come up hither; then that thou shouldest be put lower before the face of the prince, [Compare Luke 14:8,9,10. Of the Hebrew word rendered here Prince, see Job 12.on verse 21.] whom thine eyes have seen. [that is, unto whom thou hast joined thy self too near, as to look him in the face with too great boldness. Oth. That thine eyes should see it; that is, that thou shalt be fain to see it with thine own eyes, without being able to shun it.]

8. Go not forth hastily [That is, rashly, unadvisedly] to strive: lest peradventure in the end thereof [To wit, of entering hastily into strifes and suits] thou do act something, [to wit, that should be unseemly, and worthy of punishment, as quarrelling, fighting, wounding, and killing] when thy neighbour [to wit, that contendeth, or goeth to law with thee] shall have made thee ashamed. [to wit, by conquering thee at law, and by making it appear, that thou hast impleaded him wrongfully and erroneously.]

9. Debate thy cause with thy neighbour; [That is, if thou hast a controversy with thy neighbour, endeavour first to take up the business among your selves, and be not over hasty to sue one another presently at law] and reveal not anothers secret: [that is, be have thy self so modest and temperate in thy suit, that thou wrong not thy neighbour in his reputation; by discovering that which might very well be concealed. Or discover not that which another hath told thee in private, whether it be he that hath given thee counsel concerning thine own affairs, or whether it but such a thing, as he would by no means have another to know it.]

10. Lest he that heareth it, reproach thee, [To wit, by calling thee a whisperer, or tale-bearer] for thy ill report will not be turned away. [that is, will not cease, but will abide continually with thee.]

11. A sentence fitly spoken [That is, in due time, and place, and to purpose. Hebr. According to its ways, or, wheels] is (as) golden apples in silver pictured bowls. [or, silver pictures, or, images. Oth. Adorned with silver leaf-work.]

12. A wise reprove to an hearing ear [That is, to an ear that is willing, and diligent to hearken to good instruction and advice] is a golden ear-ring, [that is, as a golden ear-ring. See of the Hebrew word, Gen.24.on verse 22.] and a neck-lace [oth. Collar. Oth. Jewel, or, ornament] of the finest gold.

13. A faithful ambassador is to them that send him, as the cold of snow in the day of harvest; [to wit, is to the reapers, when being very thirsty by reason of the heat of the day, and the hardness of their labour, they long for a draught of cool drink to quench their thirst. He hath respect to the manner or custom of those that dwell in hot countries, and in the heat of summer cool their drink with ice, or snow, which for that very purpose they keep in deep cellars under the ground] for he refresheth the soul of his masters. [to wit, when he bringeth good tidings back. See of the Hebrew word rendered refreshing, Psalm 19.on verse 8. Compare above chapter 13.17.]

14. A man that boasteth himself of a false gift [That is, which he indeed promiseth in words, but giveth it not in deed, and in truth. Hebr. Gift of falsehood] is (as) clouds, and wind, and where no rain is withal. [See also of the same similitude, 2 Pet.2.17. and Jude verse 12. The Hebrew word geschem rendered here rain, signifieth for the most part a great shower of rain, which falleth down in great abundance, and with a mighty violence, as Gen.7.12. and 8.2. Ezra 10 9. But here it seemeth to signify all kind of rain, as 1 Kings 17:7.]

15. By long forbearing a Ruler is persuaded; [That is, moved, as with reasons and arguments to do that, whereunto otherways he had no mind nor inclination] and a soft tongue breaketh the bone. [that is, the mind, which is as hard as bone, or (as we use to say) as hard as stone. Compare above chapter 15.1. and 16.14.]

16. Hast thou found honey? Eat that which is sufficient for thee. [Understand under the word honey all manner of pleasant food, whereof as much as may suffice nature, so as to avoid all excessive and immoderate abuse of the creature. Some understand hereby the searching after high and heavenly things, which are indeed delightful pleasant to the spirit of man, but do exceed and surmount the measure of his apprehension. This verse may be likewise understood of the right use of true friendship, which is very pleasant and delightful, whereof mention is made in the next verse. Hebr. Thy sufficiency; that is, as much as sufficeth nature, as much as thy health will bear, or suffer thee to eat] lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it up. [to wit, thou shouldest eat more then is sufficient for thee, or more then will doe thee good.]

17. Spare thy foot from thy neighbours house, [Or, withdraw thy foot, &c. Hebr. Keep thy foot precious; that is, sparing, from going too boldly into thy neighbours house, and discourteously abusing the familiarity and kindness which he sheweth towards thee. Compare 1 Sam.3. on verse 1.] left he be full thee, and hate thee.

18. A man speaking [Hebr. Answering. See Judg.18.on verse 14.] false witness against his neighbour, is a hammer, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. [compare Psalms 11:2. and 57.5. and 59.8. and 120.4. above chapter 12.18.]

19. Confidence in an unfaithful man in the day of distress, [Hebr. The confidence of an unfaithful man; that is, the confidence that is put in an unfaithful friend, or the confidence which an unfaithful person himself hath in any thing in time of need] is like a broken tooth, [to wit, to chew therewith, when a man is hungry] and a foot out of joint. [to wit, to run therewith, when a man must haste away. The Hebrew word signifieth properly a foot, that because it is out of joint, is ever ready to stumble and fall.]

20. He that singeth songs to a sorrowful [Hebrew evil, or bad; that is, sorrowful, or heavy, or grieved. See Gen.40.on verse 7. So the word good is likewise taken for merry, or joyful. See 1 Kings 21.on verse 7.] heart, is as he that putteth off a garment in the day of cold, [which is a thing very unseasonable] (and as) vinegar upon salt-peter. [which dissolveth the salt-peter, or causeth it to melt. The meaning is, that it is not a seemly thing to sing mercy songs in the presence of those that are sad and heavy; for with those we ought to be sad and heavy, and to be joyful with those that are joyful, Rom.12.15.]

21. If he that hateth thee, be hungry, giveth him bread to eat; and if he thirsty, give him water to drink: [Understand by bread, and water, all bodily necessaries; to wit, meat and drink, see 1 Kings 13:8. and the annot.]

22. For thou shalt heap [Hebr. Take; that is, taking heap. The Hebrews do often comprehend under one word also the signification of another. See Gen.12.on verse 15.] fiery coals upon his head: [that is, thou shalt bring him to this, that he will soon lay aside all malice and enmity, that he hath against thee, as one that should have hot burning coals laid upon his head, eh would presently shake them off from him. Or thou shalt soften his heart, and make it pliable, that he shall be convinced of the wrong that he hath done thee: as Smiths are wont to mollify and sharpen iron with hot burning coals] and the LORD shall reward thee. [to wit, the good that thou hast done to thine enemy, although he be unthankful toward thee.]

23. The north-wind driveth away [Hebr. Causeth, or, procureth sorrow, or, pain: which some understand of driving away, others of bearing or bringing forth] rain: and an angry countenance [to wit, of a wise, and godly man, who taketh no delight in such a tongue as is here mentioned] the secret tongue. [Hebr. A tongue of secrecy; that is, that speaketh not down-right, but useth deceit, flattering, back-biting, stinging, and provoking, &c.]

24. It is better to dwell in a corner of the house-top, then with a brawling wife, [Hebr. A wife of brawlings] and that in an house of company. [See the exposition of this verse above chapter 21. On verse 9. Compare also verse 19. Of the same chapter.]

25. Good news from a far land is as cold water to a wearied soul. [That is, man, or person. See Gen.12.on verse 5. The meaning is, that a man is well refreshed and cheared by hearing good news, as one that is weary and thirsty, is refreshed and cheared with fresh cool water.]

26. The righteous man stumbling before the face of the wicked, [To wit, commiting some fault in the sight of a wicked man. Or, not daring to do his duty, in reproving a wicked person. Compare Job 4.on verse 4.] is a troubled fountain, and corrupt spring. [the mouths and teachings of godly men are resembled to fountains and springs, whence all good instructions flow, above ch.10.11. and 12.14. and 16.22. When therefore by reason of some cross or affliction, they come to fail in the performance of this duty of theirs, then is it as if the fountain were troubled, and muddy, and the spring or well stopped.]

27. It is good to eat much honey: [But indeed bad, and hurtful. Compare above verse 16.] but the searching of the glory of such things, [to wit, that are like unto honey; that is, that are sweet, pleasant, and delightful, as the searching of the nature of Gods works, of things done in the world, &c.] is honour. [to wit, when men keep due measure and moderation therein, follow the right line and rule of truth, and obtain the right use and end. This verse is otherwise thus rendered: It is not good (for a man) to eat much honey, and (no) glory the searching of their own glory.]

28. A man that cannot restrain his (own) spirit, [That is, he that cannot bridle, or master his mind, or affections, and motions. Hebr. Whose spirit hath not restraint, or, rule] is a city broken open without a wall.