More Proverbs of Solomon
Comments for Study 25
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I. Do Not Exalt Yourself (25:1-10)
* See a drawing to the right by an unknown author is now in public domain. Proverbs 25:2 is cited.
>1.
* Proverbs 25:1 "These are more proverbs of Solomon, copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:"
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* Proverbs 25:2 "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings."
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* Proverbs 25:3 "As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable."
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>2.
* Proverbs 25:4-5 "Remove the dross from the silver, and out comes material for the silversmith; remove the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness."
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* Proverbs 25:6-7a "o not exalt yourself in the king's presence, and do not claim a place among great men; it is better for him to say to you, "Come up here," than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman."
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>3.
* Proverbs 25:7b-8 "What you have seen with your eyes do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame?"
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* Proverbs 25:9-10 "If you argue your case with a neighbor, do not betray another man's confidence, or he who hears it may shame you and you will never lose your bad reputation."
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II. Heap Burning Coals (25:11-22)
* See a drawing to the right by an unknown author is now in public domain. Proverbs 11:13, 12:11, 20:19, 21:13, 25:17, and 27:14 are noted.
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* Proverbs 25:11 "A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver."
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* Proverbs 25:12 "Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear."
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* Proverbs 25:13 "Like the coolness of snow at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the spirit of his masters."
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* Proverbs 25:14 "Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give."
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>5.
* Proverbs 25:15 "Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone."
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* Proverbs 25:16 "If you find honey, eat just enough-- too much of it, and you will vomit."
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* Proverbs 25:17 "Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house-- too much of you, and he will hate you."
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>6.
* Proverbs 25:18 "Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is the man who gives false testimony against his neighbor."
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* Proverbs 25:19 "Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble."
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* Proverbs 25:20 "Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on soda, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart."
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>7.
* Proverbs 25:21-22 "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you."
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III. Self Control (25:23-28)
>8.
* Proverbs 25:23 "As a north wind brings rain, so a sly tongue brings angry looks."
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* Proverbs 25:24 "Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife."
* See notes on 21:9 and 19.
* "corner of the roof"
* "quarrelsome"
* "wife"
* Frankly, these three proverbs are the funniest in the entire book. They express the same sentiment about what would be better for a husband if his wife is quarrelsome and ill-tempered. They are saying he should resign to confine his living habits to either the corner of the roof or a desert thus surrendering the rest of the house to his wife for the rest of their married life. What happens when he is thirsty, hungry, and has to go to the restroom? "Oh well, I wonder if my neighbor will allow me to use his range and commode this afternoon? If not I'll have to seek into the fast food restaurant again."
As is usual with proverbs this triad wedlock aphorism is more than what is apparent, especially since they are humorous, even ridiculous.
Roofs in the ancient Middle East were flat. Small rooms were sometimes built on them. Cloth coverings and sides made the roof a tent that contained weather-resistant furniture. (Deuteronomy 22:8; 2 Kings 4:10; Acts 10:9-11, 13) Someone could and did spend time up there in the fair weather months. Families however wouldn't make it a permanent residence because winters are too cold and summers are too hot. The point of the proverbs isn't that a man should allow his marriage to be so dysfunctional and not passionate as to live in solitude.
Though sometimes most husbands want to humorously agree that they should just walk away and hide that is not the point. These three proverbs are saying, "Do not live foolishly. Work it out with your wife. Why is she quarreling and ill-tempered? What is she trying to say when she is like this? What can we do to eliminate the impasse?" Though repeated three times never once does proverbs say how a husband and wife are to work it out. Proverbs 31:11, 23, and 28 give clues. They proclaim that a husband has full confidence in his wife, keeps a respected job and life, calls her blessed, and praises her. Isn't this part of loving my wife as Christ loves me as Ephesians 5:24-25 instructs?
>9.
* Proverbs 25:25 "Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land."
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* Proverbs 25:26 "Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked."
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>10.
* Proverbs 25:27 "It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to seek one's own honor."
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* Proverbs 25:28 "Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control."
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