Proverbs 25
Summary for Prov 25:1: 25:1–29:27 a During the reign of King Hezekiah (728–686 BC), wise men (advisers) collected these proverbs of Solomon and added them to the collection.Summary for Prov 25:2-3: 25:2-3 b This warning reminds young men entering royal service that some things cannot be understood, including the king’s sometimes mysterious reasoning (e.g., 2 Sam 11:14-25 c; 24:3 d).
Summary for Prov 25:4-5: 25:4-5 e As silver is ready for use once it is refined of impurities, the king’s court can do justice when wicked people are removed. A little bit of evil can spoil much good (Eccl 10:1 f).
Summary for Prov 25:6-7: 25:6-7 g To gain an audience with the king, a wise person will practice humility instead of pride (cp. Matt 20:20-28 h).
25:7 i Rash actions often result in shame.
Summary for Prov 25:9-10: 25:9-10 j See 11:13 k; 20:19 l.
Summary for Prov 25:11-12: 25:11-12 m Timely advice and valid criticism are precious, beautiful, and rare (see also 15:23 n; 26:7 o, 9 p), and should be welcomed (see 10:17 q; 13:1 r, 10 s; 15:24 t, 31-32 u; 17:10 v).
25:13 w Snow would be a welcome relief in Israel’s hot, dry summers (cp. 26:1 x); trustworthy messengers refresh their employer by enabling him or her to plan for the future.
25:14 y In Israel, rain is rare. When rain does not follow the appearance of storm clouds, it is like the disappointment caused by someone who gives empty promises. Cp. Jude’s description of false teachers (Jude 1:12 z).
Summary for Prov 25:16-17: 25:16-17 aa Honey in moderation is tasty and healthy (24:13-14 ab); too much will cause vomiting. This principle can be applied to other areas of life; for example, it is good to visit your neighbors, but not too often.
25:18 ac Lying can have deadly consequences (see 6:16-19 ad; 14:5 ae, 25 af).
Summary for Prov 25:21-22: 25:21-22 ag Contrary to expectation, compassion toward an enemy is more effective than anger (see Rom 12:20 ah).
25:24 ai This proverb repeats 21:9 aj.
25:26 ak A spring or fountain that yields fresh water gives life. When godly people allow the wicked to dominate them, what was life-giving becomes deadly.
Summary for Prov 25:27-28: 25:27-28 al The wise have self-control and cannot easily be dominated.
Proverbs 26
26:1 am It is not fitting to give honor to fools.26:2 an Curses and blessings can have real effect (see Gen 27:1-41 ao; 48:8-9 ap, 15-20 aq; Num 6:23-27 ar), but an undeserved curse has no effect.
26:3 as A fool is like a dumb animal that can only be guided by brute force (see 10:13 at; 14:3 au).
Summary for Prov 26:4-5: 26:4-5 av Proverbs are often context sensitive. Whether or not to answer the foolish arguments of fools depends on what kind of fool and what kind of situation.
26:7 aw A fool might know a proverb but not be able to use it correctly. Cp. 26:9 ax.
26:9 ay A proverb misapplied by a fool might actually cause harm. Cp. 26:7 az.
26:10 ba A fool or a bystander might easily be lazy (see 10:4-6 bb) or incompetent (see 26:6-7 bc). An employer should beware!
26:11 bd Even when foolishness brings terrible consequences, a fool persists in it (17:10 be; see also 2 Pet 2:22 bf).
26:12 bg Fools have hope because they might recognize their folly and seek advice. However, those who think they are wise will remain ignorant.
Summary for Prov 26:13-16: 26:13-16 bh The lazy person: See 6:6-11 bi; 10:4-5 bj; 15:19 bk; 22:13 bl.
26:15 bm This proverb repeats 19:24 bn.
26:17 bo The wise avoid getting involved in other people’s arguments (cp. 26:21 bp).
Summary for Prov 26:18-19: 26:18-19 bq Lies are extremely dangerous because they lead people to act on false information. Liars cannot cover up later by claiming that they were only joking (see 6:16-19 br; 14:5 bs, 25 bt; 25:18 bu).
Summary for Prov 26:20-21: 26:20-21 bv A gossip and a quarrelsome person are both like fuel to the fire of trouble and discord.
26:22 bw This proverb repeats 18:8 bx.
Summary for Prov 26:23-26: 26:23-26 by People sometimes hide evil attitudes and wicked intentions through flattery. In the end, the true hatred of smooth talkers will be exposed.
26:27 bz People usually receive the bad consequences they intend for others (see 1:17-19 ca).
Proverbs 27
27:1 cb We should plan (24:27 cc), but our plans succeed only when God so wills (16:1 cd, 3 ce, 33 cf; Jas 4:13-16 cg). Only fools think that they control the future.27:2 ch The Hebrew word translated praise comes from the same root as “brag” in 27:1 ci. Bragging (self-praise) is foolish.
27:3 cj Fools cause heavy ... resentment by their foolish words and actions.
27:4 ck Anger can be dangerous but can be countered with a gentle answer (15:1 cl). Jealousy is harder to resolve (6:34-35 cm).
27:5 cn A rebuke improves life by correcting harmful behavior (13:1 co; 14:6 cp). Hidden, unexpressed love has no value.
27:6 cq Wounds from a ... friend are from a loving rebuke (27:5 cr). They are better than flattery (many kisses) from an enemy who intends to harm rather than help.
27:7 cs Even the best teaching (honey) will be refused if offered at the wrong time. The key to real learning is the receptivity of the student.
27:8 ct A person who forsakes his family and strays from home will more likely find trouble than whatever he was seeking (e.g., Luke 15:11-16 cu).
27:9 cv Nothing is more encouraging than heartfelt counsel from an intimate friend (see also 27:6 cw).
27:10 cx In a crisis, one might need immediate assistance, so it is important to have friends close by and neighbors who can help.
27:11 cy Fairly or not, parents are evaluated by their children’s public behavior.
27:12 cz This proverb repeats 22:3 da.
27:13 db This proverb repeats 20:16 dc.
27:14 dd It is important to speak appropriately for the circumstances (cp. 15:23 de).
27:15 df A quarrelsome wife: Cp. 19:13 dg; 21:9 dh, 19 di; 25:24 dj.
27:17 dk iron sharpens iron: Wisdom comes from interaction, often critical, with a good friend (see 27:6 dl, 9 dm).
27:18 dn An employer values loyal workers who protect their employer’s interests. Wise employers give their workers incentives to be loyal, such as allowing them to eat the fruit (see Deut 25:4 do; 1 Cor 9:7-10 dp; 1 Tim 5:17-18 dq).
27:20 dr Death and Destruction: See study note on 15:11.
• Human desire is never satisfied by money, power, or pleasure.
27:21 ds A person who avoids conceit in response to praise demonstrates purity of character (cp. 17:3 dt).
27:22 du Foolishness is deeply ingrained in the character of a fool.
Summary for Prov 27:23-27: 27:23-27 dv Agricultural property can provide food and clothing from generation to generation; these resources require continuous labor and attention or, like riches, they disappear.
Proverbs 28
28:1 dw The wicked experience God’s curse for breaking his covenant (see Lev 26:14-17 dx, 36-37 dy).28:2 dz Wise ... leaders rule justly and effectively (8:15-16 ea).
28:4 eb Without law, chaos results and the wicked flourish.
28:5 ec Evil people seek gain by breaking the law. Justice ensures that they are punished and the righteous are rewarded.
28:6 ed Virtue is more valuable than material wealth. This proverb is repeated with a slightly different conclusion in 19:1 ee.
28:7 ef their parents: This proverb applies to both fathers and mothers.
28:8 eg The law prohibited charging needy Israelites interest on loans (Exod 22:25 eh; Lev 25:36 ei; Deut 23:19 ej). The rich were instructed to lend generously to the poor (Prov 3:27-28 ek; 11:24 el; 28:27 em; 29:7 en, 14 eo).
28:9 ep A person who ignores the law shows no fear of the Lord (1:7 eq), the lawgiver. That person’s prayers are hypocritical—why should God listen to them?
28:12 er When the wicked take charge: See also 28:28 es.
28:13 et The wise admit their mistakes and sins and pursue correction (see Ps 32:1-5 eu).
28:15 ev A wicked ruler will not help the poor because his rule is not just. Like a roaring lion or an attacking bear, he destroys their lives.
28:17 ew tormented conscience: See 1 Sam 25:31 ex; Rom 2:15 ey; 13:5 ez; cp. Heb 10:22 fa.
• Don’t protect him! Murder is such a serious offense that a fine could not replace the death penalty (see Num 35:32 fb).
28:19 fc This proverb is repeated but with a different conclusion in 12:11 fd.
28:20 fe quick riches: Wealth must be earned ethically, or it will cause harm and will not last (see 13:11 ff, cp. 10:2 fg; 11:18 fh; 13:22 fi; 21:6 fj).
28:21 fk Rendering a wrong verdict based on a bribe is evil (17:23 fl; 22:16 fm).
28:23 fn The wise desire honest criticism of their faults so they can improve (10:17 fo; 13:1 fp, 10 fq; 15:24 fr, 31-32 fs).
28:24 ft Callous children who exploit their parents are wicked (see Exod 20:12 fu).
28:25 fv Those who are greedy fight to control circumstances so as to gain riches. Trusting the Lord allows the wise to face life calmly and, ironically, to experience prosperity.
28:26 fw The one who walks in wisdom listens to the advice of others; those who trust their own insight show themselves foolish.
28:28 fx When the wicked take charge: See also 28:12 fy.
Proverbs 29
29:3 fz A man’s wisdom affects his parents (10:1 ga; 15:20 gb; 17:21 gc).• Prostitutes cost money and a man’s wealth is rapidly wasted on them.
29:4 gd A just king looks out for the rights of others; a ruler who accepts bribes uses his office for personal gain (see also 17:23 ge; 22:16 gf; 28:21 gg).
29:5 gh Flattery is usually a trap to taking advantage of someone (7:21-22 gi; 26:23 gj).
29:11 gk Wise people learn to control their emotions; they remain calm even under stress.
29:13 gl The oppressor should be motivated to treat the poor more humanely because God created them both (see also 3:27 gm; 11:24 gn; 28:27 go; 29:7 gp).
29:15 gq Wisdom is not instinctive—it must be taught.
29:18 gr The wise accept divine guidance from God’s law, the guide to his will.
29:19 gs In some instances of discipline, tangible consequences might need to accompany instructions.
29:23 gt See 6:17-18 gu; 11:2 gv; 13:10 gw; 15:33 gx; 16:18-19 gy; 18:12 gz; 19:20 ha; 22:4 hb.
29:24 hc You are sworn to tell the truth: See Lev 5:1 hd.
29:25 he Fearing people is a dangerous trap: See 1:7 hf; Luke 12:4-5 hg.
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