Proverbs 25:1-27

Proverbs 25:1-27

[1] These are also proverbs  of Solomon,  of Hezekiah  king  of Judah  copied out.  [2] It is the glory  of God  to conceal  a thing:  but the honour  of kings  is to search out  a matter.  [3] The heaven  for height,  and the earth  for depth,  and the heart  of kings  is unsearchable.  [4] Take away  the dross  from the silver,  and there shall come forth  a vessel  for the finer.  [5] Take away  the wicked  from before  the king,  and his throne  shall be established  in righteousness.  [6] Put not forth  thyself in the presence  of the king,  and stand  not in the place  of great  [7] For better  it is that it be said  unto thee, Come up  hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower  in the presence  of the prince  whom thine eyes  have seen.  [8] Go not forth  hastily  to strive,  lest thou know not what to do  in the end  thereof, when thy neighbour  hath put thee to shame.  [9] Debate  thy cause  with thy neighbour  himself; and discover  not a secret  to another:  [10] Lest he that heareth  it put thee to shame,  and thine infamy  turn not away.  [11] A word  spoken  is like apples  of gold  in pictures  of silver.  [12] As an earring  of gold,  and an ornament  of fine gold,  so is a wise  reprover  upon an obedient  ear.  [13] As the cold  of snow  in the time  of harvest,  so is a faithful  messenger  to them that send  him: for he refresheth  the soul  of his masters.  [14] Whoso  boasteth  himself of a false  gift  is like clouds  and wind  without rain.  [15] By long  forbearing  is a prince  persuaded,  and a soft  tongue  breaketh  the bone.  [16] Hast thou found  honey?  eat  so much as is sufficient  for thee, lest thou be filled  therewith, and vomit  [17] Withdraw  thy foot  from thy neighbour's  house;  lest he be weary  of thee, and so hate  [18] A man  that beareth  false  witness  against his neighbour  is a maul,  and a sword,  and a sharp  arrow.  [19] Confidence  in an unfaithful man  in time  of trouble  is like a broken  tooth,  and a foot  out of joint.  [20] As he that taketh away  a garment  in cold  weather,  and as vinegar  upon nitre,  so is he that singeth  songs  to an heavy  heart.  [21] If thine enemy  give him bread  to eat;  and if he be thirsty,  give him water  to drink:  [22] For thou shalt heap  coals of fire  upon his head,  shall reward  thee. [23] The north  wind  driveth away  rain:  so doth an angry  countenance  a backbiting  tongue.  [24] It is better  to dwell  in the corner  of the housetop,  woman  and in a wide  house.  [25] As cold  waters  to a thirsty  soul,  so is good  news  from a far  country.  [26] A righteous  man falling down  before  the wicked  is as a troubled  fountain,  and a corrupt  spring.  [27] It is not good  to eat  much  honey:  so for men to search  their own glory 

What does Proverbs 25:1-27 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

We return now to consider more proverbs of Solomon (cf. Proverbs 1:1 to Proverbs 22:16). Chapters25-26 contain proverbs that are mainly comparisons. The key words in these chapters are "like ... so." Chapter27 is a mixture of comparative and antithetical proverbs. Chapters28-29 contain maxims that are mainly contrasts marked by the word "but." In all these chapters there are mostly couplets but also some longer Proverbs 1counted66 proverbs in the group of analogies ( Proverbs 25:1 to Proverbs 27:22) and54in the group of contrasts (chs28-29). This gives us120 proverbs in this major section of the book if we exclude the discourse on prudence in Proverbs 27:23-27.
"The proverbs in these chapters differ in that there are more multiple line sayings and more similes; chapters28-29 are similar to chapters10-16 , but chapters25-27 differ in having few references to God." [1]
I shall again (in chs25-29 , as in Proverbs 10:1 to Proverbs 22:16) comment only on those verses that seem to me to need clarification.