Proverbs

Chapter 25 opens with a structural note of some significance: "These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out." This marks the beginning of what scholars call the Hezekian collection — proverbs of Solomon preserved and edited by scribes working under Hezekiah, who reigned roughly 700 BCE. Chapters 25 through 29 form this distinct sub-collection. The chapter opens with a cosmological and royal observation: it is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the honor of kings is to search out a matter. Divine mystery and royal inquiry are placed in contrast — God's hiddenness is a form of glory; human investigation of what is hidden is a form of honor. Several of the chapter's observations concern social conduct with the powerful and with neighbors. Don't push yourself forward in the presence of the king — better to be invited up than publicly put lower. Debate your cause directly with your neighbor; don't broadcast the dispute to others, lest someone use it to shame you. Don't rush into conflict without thinking through how it ends. The chapter contains some of the most vivid images in Proverbs. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. A wise reprover upon an obedient ear is like an earring of fine gold. A faithful messenger to those who send him is like cold snow in harvest — he refreshes the soul of his masters. A man who boasts of a gift he never gives is like clouds and wind without rain. A false witness against a neighbor is a maul, a sword, and a sharp arrow. Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth and a foot out of joint. Singing songs to a heavy heart is like taking away a garment in cold weather. If your enemy is hungry, give him bread; if thirsty, give him water — for in doing so you heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward you. The chapter closes: he that has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down and without walls — defenseless to whatever attacks it.