Prov. 25 Observations about kings, Prov. 25:1–7. A caution against contentions, Prov. 25:8; against revealing of secrets, Prov. 25:9. The reason of this caution, Prov. 25:10; with divers other rules, Prov. 25:11–28.

These, which are contained in this and the following chapters. The men of Hezekiah; certain persons appointed by Hezekiah for that work, whether prophets, as Isaiah, Hosea, or Micah, who lived in his days, or some others, it is neither evident nor material.

It is the glory of God; it is agreeable to the nature and highly conducing to the honour of God, because it is a testimony of his infinite wisdom and knowledge, of his absolute power and sovereignty, and of his other incomprehensible perfections.

The heaven for height, and the earth for depth; as no man upon earth can exactly discover the height of heaven, or the depth of earth, or discern what is contained in them.

Then, and not till then, it is fit for that use.

From before the king; from his court and councils. Shall be established, by removing them who by their wicked counsels and practices provoked God’s displeasure against the king, and blasted his reputation, and alienated the hearts of his people from him.

Put not forth thyself, Heb. Do not magnify or glorify thyself, by vaunting speech or carriage, but, which is implied, carry thyself humbly and modestly, which is most pleasing to kings, and most becoming and safe for them.

For better it is, it is more for thy credit and comfort, that it be said unto thee, by some public officer, or by the king himself. Whom thine eyes have seen; into whose presence and acquaintance thou hast so boldly intruded thyself, who as before he observed thy impudence, so now he sees and…

Go not forth hastily, without necessary cause and due consideration, to strive, either judicially or otherwise. Put thee to shame, for thy folly in undertaking what thou wast not able to accomplish, and for thy injustice in charging him wrongfully.

Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; if thou hast any quarrel with him, first try to compose it by private discourse with him. Compare Matt. 5:25, Matt. 18:15, Luke 12:58. Discover not a secret; any secret.

Put thee to shame; reproach thee for thy gross violation of the laws of prudence, and justice, and charity, and friendship therein. And thine infamy turn not away; and that disgrace which thou didst design against another fall and be fastened upon thyself.

A word fitly spoken, for the matter, and season, and other circumstances of it, is like apples of gold in pictures of silver, which it seems was usual in those times, and was grateful to the eye for the beauty and variety both of the colours and figures, the golden apples appearing through net-work…

As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold; highly acceptable, and a great ornament, and not an offence and dishonour, as fools esteem it; so is a wise reprover, that reproves an offender faithfully; yet prudently, in the fittest manner and season.

As the cold of snow; either, 1. As drink cooled with ice or snow, as was and is usual in hot countries. Or, 2. As a cool air, such as is in snowy seasons. Or, 3. As drink which is as cold as snow.

Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift, pretending that he hath given, or promising that he will give, a man those gifts, which he neither hath given, nor intendeth to give him, is like clouds and wind without rain; like empty clouds carried about with wind, and not affording that rain which by…

By long forbearing, by patient submission and expectation, is a prince persuaded, or pacified, whereas his rage is increased by opposition. Compare Eccles. 10:4. A soft tongue, a mild and humble answer, breaketh the bone; softeneth a heart which is as hard as bone or stone.

Honey in those parts was oft found in woods or fields, as Judg. 14:8;c. 1 Sam. 14:25. By honey he understands, not only all delicious meats, but all present and worldly delights, which we are here taught to use with moderation. Honey excessively taken disposeth a man to vomiting.

Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house, visit him not too frequently nor unseasonably, lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee, as men are apt to loathe those meats of which they surfeit, as was now observed, Prov. 25:16.

Is as cruel and pernicious to him as any instrument of death. The design of the proverb is to show the wickedness of slander, and that a false witness is in some respect as bad as a murderer.

It is not only deceitful, but hurtful, as a broken tooth though it make show of helping, yet is not only unhelpful to a man for chewing his meat, but also troublesome and painful; and as a foot out of joint doth not help, but hinder and pain, him that attempts to walk upon it.

In cold weather, when it is most seasonable and necessary. As vinegar upon nitre, which dissolves the nitre, and makes it useless and ineffectual. So is he, he is no less absurd and impertinent, that singeth songs to an heavy heart; whose grief is not relieved, but increased by it, as common…

By bread and water he understands all things necessary for his subsistence.

For, understand, in so doing, which words are expressed Rom. 12:20, where this text is quoted, thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head; either, 1. In a bad sense, thou shalt hereby aggravate his sin, and occasion a more speedy and grievous vengeance from God, which, like fire from heaven, shall…

An angry countenance in the hearer, who by his countenance showeth his dislike of such persons and practices. A backbiting tongue, Heb. a secret tongue, which privily slandereth his neighbour, as it is expressed, Ps. 101:5, and as the manner of backbiters is.

Because it comes thither more rarely and difficultly after it hath been long expected and earnestly desired; all which circumstances make it more acceptable.

Falling down; either, 1. Into sin. So the sense is, When a just man is either allured or terrified into any sinful practice before wicked men, or into any base and servile compliance with their lusts, he who by his excellent counsels was like a fountain or well of life, as his mouth is called,…

Not good, to wit, for the health of the body. For men; which words are easily understood, both out of the foregoing clause, where the honey is supposed to be eaten by men, and out of the following words, which are evidently meant of them.

Over his own spirit; over his passions, and especially his anger, Which is signified by this word, Prov. 16:2, Eccles. 10:4. Is like a city that is broken down, and without walls; exposeth himself to manifold dangers and mischiefs.