With this chapter begins the fourth main division of this book, consisting, as its introductory words inform us, of sayings and perhaps writings of Solomon, which were placed together in their present form by men appointed to the work by King Hezekiah. Zöckler remarks that “while the first and large... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— PROVERBS 25:6. PUT NOT FORTH, literally “_bring not thy glory to view, do not display thyself_.” PROVERBS 25:7. WHOM THINE EYES HAVE SEEN. There is some difference of opinion as to the person to whom this sentence refers. Fleischer understands it as referring to the king, and to th... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— PROVERBS 25:8. LEST THOU KNOW NOT, etc. As will be seen from the italics in the English version, this sentence is very elliptical. Zöckler reads, “_lest_ (it be said to thee) _what wilt thou do_,” etc. Delitzsch, “_That it may not be said_,” etc. Miller, “_Lest what thou doest, in... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— PROVERBS 25:12. AN OBEDIENT EAR. Literally “_an ear that heareth_.” PROVERBS 25:13. THE COLD OF SNOW, etc. “_The coolness of snow is not that of a fall of snow, which in the time of harvest would be a calamity, but of drink cooled with snow, which was brought from Lebanon, or else... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— PROVERBS 25:14. A FALSE GIFT. This gift is generally understood to be one bestowed by the boaster, but which is worth nothing, or the mere promise of a gift which is never fulfilled. _MAIN HOMILETICS OF Proverbs 25:14_ CLOUDS WITHOUT RAIN I. THOSE WHO PROMISE AND DO NOT PERFORM A... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— PROVERBS 25:15. PRINCE. Rather “_Judge_” _MAIN HOMILETICS OF Proverbs 25:15_ FORBEARANCE AND PERSUASIVENESS I. PATIENCE WITHOUT SPEECH IS AN OVERCOMING POWER. The strongest smith will find a piece of cold iron too much for him—if he attempt to bend or break it he will be met with... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— PROVERBS 25:16. FILLED. Rather “_Surfeited_.” _MAIN HOMILETICS OF Proverbs 25:16_ USE AND ABUSE I. THE GOOD GIFTS OF GOD ARE TO BE ENJOYED BY MEN. “_Every creature of God is good_,” says the apostle, “_and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving_” (1 Timothy 4:... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— PROVERBS 25:17. WITHHOLD. Rather “_Make rare_.” PROVERBS 25:18. A MAUL. An instrument or weapon shod with iron, probably a war-club. _MAIN HOMILETICS OF Proverbs 25:17_ OBTRUSIVENESS I. WE MAY BY INDISCRETION CLOSE A DOOR WHICH WE HAVE OURSELVES OPENED. There are many things whi... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— PROVERBS 25:19. FOOT OUT OF JOINT. Rather “_An unsteady foot_.” PROVERBS 25:20. NITRE. “_Not the substance we now understand by nitre—i.e., nitrate of potassa (saltpetre), but the natron or native carbonate of soda of modern chemistry_.” (Smith’s Dictionary.) The combination of th... [ Continue Reading ]
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF Proverbs 25:21_ A BLESSED RECOMPENSE I. A RECOMPENSE WHICH IS DIFFICULT. No one can affirm that it is an easy thing to minister help and comfort to one who has done us an injury, but it is more difficult in some cases than in others. Men are not bound to us by equal ties: some a... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— PROVERBS 25:23. DRIVETH AWAY. Rather “_Brings forward the rain-clouds_.” Most modern commentators adopt this rendering of the verb, and read the latter phrase to suit the metaphor—“_So a secret or slanderous tongue, a troubled countenance_.” _MAIN HOMILETICS OF Proverbs 25:23_ TH... [ Continue Reading ]
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF Proverbs 25:25_ COLD WATER AND GOOD NEWS I. TWO BLESSINGS OFTEN ARDENTLY LONGED FOR. In these days of travel, many more can enter into the spirit of this analogy than in the days of Solomon—the comparative ease by which men can reach the most distant lands, and which in one aspe... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— PROVERBS 25:26. FALLING DOWN—_i.e., “yielding_” or “_wavering_.” CORRUPT. Rather “_Ruined_.” _MAIN HOMILETICS OF Proverbs 25:26_ THE EVIL RESULT OF MORAL COWARDICE I. THERE CAN NEVER BE A GOOD REASON WHY A GOOD MAN SHOULD WAVER OR BOW DOWN BEFORE A BAD MAN. Many reasons often exi... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— PROVERBS 25:27. The last phrase in this verse is variously rendered. The words _is not_ are not in the Hebrew. Stuart reads, “_Searching after one’s own glory is burdensome_”—_i.e._, Honour, like honey, is good only when sought in moderation. Zöckler renders “_To search out the dif... [ Continue Reading ]
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF Proverbs 25:28_ A DEFENCELESS CITY The other side of this picture is given in chap. Proverbs 16:32. (See page 497.) I. SUCH A CITY AS IS HERE DESCRIBED PROCLAIMS THE LACK OF A WISE AND POWERFUL GOVERNOR WITHIN. The walls and buildings of a city are constantly exposed to influen... [ Continue Reading ]