Proverbs 25:1-28

How do restraint and dependable kindness serve both rulers and neighbors?

Berean Standard Bible

1 These are additional proverbs of Solomon, which were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah: 2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out. 3 As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be searched. 4 Remove the dross from the silver, and a vessel for a silversmith will come forth. 5 Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness. 6 Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men; 7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here!” than to be demoted in the presence of the prince. Even what you have seen with your own eyes, 8 do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame? 9 Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence, 10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your infamy never go away. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. 12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear. 13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters. 14 Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given. 15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. 16 If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up. 17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you. 18 Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor. 19 Like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble. 20 Like one who removes a garment on a cold day or vinegar poured on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. 21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. 22 For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you. 23 As the north wind brings forth rain, so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks. 24 Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife. 25 Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. 26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked. 27 It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory. 28 Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.

What is the context?

The heading identifies additional proverbs of Solomon copied by Hezekiah’s men. The chapter then distinguishes God’s concealed purposes from a ruler’s responsibility to investigate and remove corrupt influence.

The warning against taking an exalted place exposes the humiliation that can follow self-promotion. Caution in disputes follows: what one has seen is not a reason to rush into court or betray a confidence.

Timely words, a welcome rebuke, and a faithful messenger are compared with precious ornaments and refreshing cold. Promises without gifts are clouds that never deliver rain.

Patience and a gentle tongue can accomplish what force cannot. The honey and visiting sayings teach proportion: a good thing becomes burdensome when its proper measure is ignored.

False witness is pictured as a weapon, and unreliable help as a damaged tooth or foot. Singing to a heavy heart can be as ill-timed as removing a garment in the cold.

The command to feed a hungry enemy rejects withholding necessities out of hostility. Its coals image belongs with giving food and water, not secretly replacing care with an act of physical harm.

The close returns to contention, good news, compromised righteousness, self-glory, and self-command. The unguarded temper is a city with broken walls.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Wesley interprets the coals as kindness moving an enemy toward repentance. His old wording also differs visibly from the BSB: verse 20 has vinegar on nitre rather than a wound, and verse 23 has a wind driving rain away rather than bringing it. The pastoral point about ill-timed speech does not require treating those wordings as identical.

Where does this fit in God's plan?

Romans 12:17–21 directly quotes Proverbs 25:21–22 within Paul’s refusal of personal vengeance. Overcoming evil with good controls the application: feeding an enemy is an act of care, not a religious disguise for retaliation.

Luke 14:7–11 gives an established parallel to verses 6–7 when Jesus tells guests to take a low place rather than grasp at honor. The banquet instruction echoes the proverb’s reversal without making every detail of the chapter a prediction of Jesus.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

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