Proverbs 16:14-28:8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:14-15

These two verses show the power of kings, which is every where great, but was especially so in those eastern countries, where they were absolute and arbitrary. Whom they would they slew and whom they would they kept alive. Their will was a law. We have reason to bless God for the happy constitution of the government we live under, which maintains the prerogative of the prince without any injury to the liberty of the subject. But here it is intimated, 1. How formidable the wrath of a king is:... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:14

The wrath of a king is as messengers of death ,.... Or, "angels of death", as the Targum. As the wrath of Ahasuerus was to Haman; when it is either discovered in the countenance of a king, or expressed by his words, or signified by a messenger; it sometimes has been immediate death to a person, and often as terrible as if a messenger brought the sentence of death; yea, it is as if one messenger after another was sent on such an errand, and therefore the word is in the plural number. How... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:10-15

Divine and human authority I. THE DERIVATION OF AUTHORITY AND LAW FROM GOD . ( Proverbs 16:10 .) The true ruler is the representative of God. Royal decrees and legal statutes profess to rest, and must rest ultimately, if they are to be binding, upon the moral Law itself. Hence the reverence in old days for "the Lord's anointed," though in the person of a Charles Stuart, was the popular witness to a deep truth, which lies at the foundation of society. II. PRINCIPLES ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:14

The wrath of a king is as messengers of death. In a despotic monarchy the death of an offender follows quickly on the offence. Anger the king, and punishment is at hand; instruments are always ready who will carry out the sentence, and that before time is given for reconsideration. The murder of Thomas a Becket will occur as an illustration (comp. Esther 7:8 , etc). The LXX . translates, "The king's wrath is a messenger of death," taking the plural as put by enallage for the singular;... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 16:13-15

Proverbs 16:13-15. Righteous lips are the delight of kings All wise and good kings do, and all kings should, delight in employing such counsellors, judges, and officers, under them, as are just and faithful in their counsels, sentences, and actions; because such bring great honour and advantage to them. The wrath of a king is as messengers of death It strikes as great terror into those with whom he is offended, as if the sentence of death were pronounced against them, and officers were... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:1-33

Laying plans and making decisions (16:1-33)A person may make plans, but God is the one who determines their outcome. He knows the person’s unseen motives and controls events according to his purposes. It is important, therefore, always to bring God into one’s planning (16:1-4). God punishes the arrogant but has mercy on those who fear him (5-6). He protects them from harm and guides them on the right pathway (7-9).When a king’s wisdom comes from God, his decisions will be right. He will show no... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 16:14

messengers, &c. Illustrations: Benaiah (1 Kings 2:25 ); Haman (Esther 7:8-10 ). pacify it = get it covered. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 16:14

"The wrath of a king is a messenger of death; But a wise man will pacify it."Cook pointed out that Proverbs 16:13 speaks of a king as he should be; and this one presents a king as they actually were, "Reminding us of the terrible rapidity with which, in the despotic monarchies of the East, death followed the royal displeasure."[16] As the second clause indicates, it was the pinnacle of good judgment to avoid, at all costs, the displeasure of any king. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 16:14

14. This wrath, so terrible and certain, like messengers of death ( :-), can be appeased by the wise. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Proverbs 16:1-16

B. How to Please God 16:1-22:16There is a shift in emphasis in Solomon’s anthology here. Pleasing God (cf. 1 Corinthians 7:33; Colossians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:4; 1 John 3:22) becomes a greater factor in the proverbs that follow, whereas those in chapters 10-15 had living successfully more in view. Nevertheless, this is only a change in proportion of emphasis. Both ends are present in both sections of the book (chs. 10-15 and Proverbs 16:1 to Proverbs 22:16). read more

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