Matthew Henry Commentary Proverbs 25
Matthew Henry Commentary
Proverbs 25
Matthew Henry Commentary
Proverbs 25
"These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out. It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable." — Proverbs 25:1-3 (ASV)
God does not need to search into anything; nothing can be hidden from him. But it is the honor of rulers to search out matters, to bring to light hidden works of darkness.
"Take away the dross from the silver, And there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner: Take away the wicked [from] before the king, And his throne shall be established in righteousness." — Proverbs 25:4-5 (ASV)
For a prince to suppress vice, and reform his people, is the best way to support his government.
"Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king, And stand not in the place of great men: For better is it 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." — Proverbs 25:6-7 (ASV)
Religion teaches us humility and self-denial. The one who has seen the glory of the Lord in Christ Jesus will feel his own unworthiness.
"Go not forth hastily to strive, Lest [thou know not] what to do in the end thereof, When thy neighbor hath put thee to shame. Debate thy cause with thy neighbor [himself], And disclose not the secret of another; Lest he that heareth it revile thee, And thine infamy turn not away." — Proverbs 25:8-10 (ASV)
To be hasty in beginning strife will bring difficulties. War must eventually end, and is better prevented. The same is true in private quarrels; do all you can to settle the matter.
"A word fitly spoken Is [like] apples of gold in network of silver. [As] an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, [So is] a wise reprover upon an obedient ear." — Proverbs 25:11-12 (ASV)
A word of counsel, or reproof, rightly spoken, is especially beautiful, as fine fruit becomes still more beautiful in silver baskets.
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