Pro 16:14 | MHM | STEP | The Power and Influence of Kings This section teaches about the great power that kings and rulers once had, especially in ancient times when their word was law. Their anger could mean death, and their favor could mean life and happiness. We should be thankful if we live under a government that protects both the ruler’s authority and the people’s freedoms. The Bible uses this truth about earthly kings to remind us of how important it is to seek the favor of God, the King of kings, whose anger is more serious and whose favor is more precious than anything in this world. v. 14 : A king’s anger can be extremely dangerous, like a message of death. For example, the wrath of King Ahasuerus meant death for Haman (Esther 7:7-10 ). Sometimes just a single angry word from a ruler can fill people with fear, as if they have been sentenced to die. It takes real wisdom to calm down a king’s anger with the right words, just as Jonathan was able to calm King Saul’s anger towards David (1 Samuel 19:6 ). Wise and careful advice can sometimes help an angry ruler to forgive and not punish harshly.

‏ Proverbs 16:14

The Power and Influence of Kings

This section teaches about the great power that kings and rulers once had, especially in ancient times when their word was law. Their anger could mean death, and their favor could mean life and happiness. We should be thankful if we live under a government that protects both the ruler’s authority and the people’s freedoms. The Bible uses this truth about earthly kings to remind us of how important it is to seek the favor of God, the King of kings, whose anger is more serious and whose favor is more precious than anything in this world.

v. 14: A king’s anger can be extremely dangerous, like a message of death. For example, the wrath of King Ahasuerus meant death for Haman (Esther 7:7-10 ^a). Sometimes just a single angry word from a ruler can fill people with fear, as if they have been sentenced to die. It takes real wisdom to calm down a king’s anger with the right words, just as Jonathan was able to calm King Saul’s anger towards David (1 Samuel 19:6 ^b). Wise and careful advice can sometimes help an angry ruler to forgive and not punish harshly.