25:1Hezekiah’s story is told in 2 Kings 18~20; 2 Chronicles 29-32; and Isaiah 36-39. He was one of the few kings of Judah who honored the LORD. By contrast, his father, Ahaz, actually nailed the Temple door shut. Hezekiah restored the Temple, destroyed idol worship centers, and earned the respect of surrounding nations, many of whom brought gifts to God because of him. It is not surprising that Hezekiah had these proverbs copied and read, for “in all that he did in the service of the Temple of God and in his efforts to follow God’s laws and commands, Hezekiah sought his God wholeheartedly. As a result, he was very successful” (2 Chronicles 31:21).
Life Application Study BibleProverbsChapter 25
Proverbs 25
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 1047, 1048
A few verse numbers on this page were hard to read in the scan and are marked with a dotted underline — compare with the original page image if in doubt.
25Proverbs 25
More Proverbs of Solomon
125 These are more proverbs of Solomon, collected by the advisers of King Hezekiah of Judah.
2It is God's privilege to conceal thingsand the king’s privilege to discover them.
3No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth, or all that goes on in the king’s mind!
4Remove the impurities from silver,and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith.
5Remove the wicked from the king's court,and his reign will be made secure by justice.
6Don’t demand an audience with the kingor push for a place among the great.
7It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head tablethan to be sent away in public disgrace.Just because you've seen something,8 don’t be ina hurry to go to court.For what will you do in the endif your neighbor deals you a shameful defeat?
9When arguing with your neighbor,don’t betray another person’s secret.
10Others may accuse you of gossip,and you will never regain your good reputation.
11Timely advice is lovely,like golden apples in a silver basket.
12To one who listens, valid criticismis like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.
13Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer.They revive the spirit of their employer.
14A person who promises a gift but doesn't give itis like clouds and wind that bring no rain.
15Patience can persuade a prince,and soft speech can break bones.
16Do you like honey?Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick!
17Don’t visit your neighbors too often,or you will wear out your welcome.
18Telling lies about othersis as harmful as hitting them with an ax,wounding them with a sword,or shooting them with a sharp arrow.
19Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot. 20Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart is like taking someone's coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar in a wound. 21If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. 22You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the LORD will reward you.
23As surely as a north wind brings rain,So a gossiping tongue causes anger!
24It's better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.
25Good news from far awayis like cold water to the thirsty.
26If the godly give in to the wicked, it’s like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.
27It’s not good to eat too much honey,and it’s not good to seek honors for yourself.
28A person without self-controlis like a city with broken-down walls.2 6 1Honor is no more associated with fools
Life Application Notes 10 notes
25:2-6These four proverbs all focus on the king. Verse 2 indicates the importance of a king’s efforts to discover the truth. This is followed by a parable on the value of a king keeping his own counsel and making up his own mind. Then, because a wise king seeks good advisers, he must be aware of the danger of those who are wicked in places of influence. Last, a warning is issued to those within the court that anyone who makes demands on the king’s time treads on dangerous ground. Hezekiah began his collection of wisdom with words for himself.
25:6,7Jesus made this proverb into a parable (see Luke 14:7-11). We should not seek honors for ourselves. It is better to quietly and faithfully accomplish the work God has given us to do. As others notice the quality of our life, then they will draw attention to us.
25:13tt is often difficult to find people you can really trust. Faithful employees (“trustworthy messengers”) are punctual, responsible, honest, and hardworking. Such people are invaluable as they help take some of the pressure off their employer. Find out what your employer needs from you to make his or her job easier, and do it.
25:14Most churches, missions organizations, and Christian groups depend on the gifts of people to keep their ministries going. But many who promise to give fail to follow through. The Bible is very clear about the effect this has on those involved in the ministry. If you make a pledge, keep your promise.
25:18Lying about someone is as vicious as an act of physical violence. Its effects can be as permanent as those of a wound. The next time you are tempted to pass on a bit of gossip, imagine yourself wounding the victim of your remarks with a sword. This image may shock you inte silence.
25:21,22God’s form of retaliation is most effective and yet difficult to do. Paul quotes this proverb in Romans 12:19-21. In Matthew 5:44, Jesus encourages us to pray for those who hurt us. By returning good for evil, we are acknowledging God as the balancer of all accounts and trusting him to be the judge.
25:26To compromise with the wicked means setting aside your standards of right and wrong. No one is helped by someone who compromises with the wicked.
25:27Dwelling on the honors you deserve can only be harmful. it can make you bitter, discouraged, or.angry, and it will not bring you the rewards that you think should be yours. Pining for what you should have received may make you miss the satisfaction of knowing you did your best.
25:28Even though city walls restricted the inhabitants’ movements, people were happy to have them. Without walls, they would have been vulnerable to attack by any passing group of marauders. Self-control limits us, to be sure, but it is necessary. An out-of-control life is open to all sorts of attacks by the enemy. Think of self-control as a wall for defense and protection.