Proverbs 25:12-16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 25:11-12

Solomon here shows how much it becomes a man, 1. To speak pertinently: A word upon the wheels, that runs well, is well-circumstanced, in proper time and place?instruction, advice, or comfort, given seasonably, and in apt expressions, adapted to the case of the person spoken to and agreeing with the character of the person speaking?is like golden balls resembling apples, or like true apples of a golden colour (golden rennets), or perhaps gilded, as sometimes we have gilded laurels, and those... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 25:13

See here, 1. What ought to be the care of a servant, the meanest that is sent on an errand and entrusted with any business, much more the greatest, the agent and ambassador of a prince; he ought to be faithful to him that sends him, and to see to it that he do not, by mistake or with design, falsify his trust, and that he be in nothing that lies in his power wanting to his master's interest. Those that act as factors, by commission, ought to act as carefully as for themselves. 2. How much this... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 25:14

He may be said to boast of a false gift, 1. Who pretends to have received or given that which he never had, which he never gave, makes a noise of his great accomplishments and his good services, but it is all false; he is not what he pretends to be. Or, 2. Who promises what he will give and what he will do, but performs nothing, who raises people's expectations of the mighty things he will do for his country, for his friends, what noble legacies he will leave, but either he has not wherewithal... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 25:15

Two things are here recommended to us, in dealing with others, as likely means to gain our point:?1. Patience, to bear a present heat without being put into a heat by it, and to wait for a fit opportunity to offer our reasons and to give persons time to consider them. By this means even a prince may be persuaded to do a thing which he seemed very averse to, much more a common person. That which is justice and reason now will be so another time, and therefore we need not urge them with violence... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 25:16

Here, 1. We are allowed a sober and moderate use of the delights of sense: Hast thou found honey? It is not forbidden fruit to thee, as it was to Jonathan; thou mayest eat of it with thanksgiving to God, who, having created things grateful to our senses, has given us leave to make use of them. Eat as much as is sufficient, and no more. Enough is as good as a feast. 2. We are cautioned to take heed of excess. We must use all pleasures as we do honey, with a check upon our appetite, lest we take... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 25:12

As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold ,.... As a golden earring, when first put on, gives pain and uneasiness; but, being well hung and fixed, is very ornamental, being of fine gold, and especially when any jewels are upon it; which may be meant by the ornament, as the word is rendered, Song of Solomon 7:1 ; so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear ; such is the reproof of a wise man, which is seasonably given, in a fit and proper manner; and which appears to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 25:13

As the cold of snow in the time of harvest ,.... As water as cold as snow; or as a breeze of air, such as in a time of snow; and so Jarchi, "as the cold of the days of snow, which a man desires in summer, and not snow simply, for snow itself is not good in the time of harvest;' see Proverbs 24:1 . Or rather "as a shield" or "covering of snow" F8 כצנת שלג "sicut scutum ex nive", some in Gejerus, so Aben Ezra; "sicat tectio nivis", Michaelis. , as the word signifies: perhaps,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 25:14

Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift ,.... Of his charity and alms deeds; bragging of great things he does this way, when he does nothing; or who is very vain in making large promises of what he will give, when he does not perform; either not having it in his heart, or in the power of his hands, to give what he promises; Satan like, who offered to give all the kingdoms of this world to Christ, if he would worship him, when nothing of it belonged unto him, or was in his power to give: and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 25:15

By long forbearing is a prince persuaded ,.... To come into measures, and do that which his council and ministry advise him to, and to which he may seem at first very averse; but by a mild and gentle representation of things, by an humble submission of them to him, and by frequent remonstrances and patient waiting, his mind is softened, bent, and inclined to take their advice, and pursue the measures suggested to him; which, had they been pressed with heat, haughtiness, and haste, would have... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 25:16

Hast thou found honey ?.... Of which there was great plenty in Judea; and was to be found in fields and woods, 1 Samuel 14:25 ; eat so much as is sufficient for thee ; to satisfy appetite, without overcharging the stomach; what may be conducive to health, and no more; lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it ; that is, overfilled; filled to a loathing of it, so as to cause a casting of it up this is not merely to be understood in a literal sense; something more is intended, as... read more

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