Hezekiah's men copied these proverbs of Solomon. 'It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.' Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king (Jesus' table parable echoes it, Luke 14). 'A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in network of silver.' By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone. 'If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat', coals of fire on his head; Paul quotes it whole (Romans 12:20). Like a city broken down and without walls is he whose spirit is without restraint.

Drawn from Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory and Matthew Henry, Complete Commentary.

Context

Poetry · Solomon, Agur, Lemuel — Proverbs overview

A. 1–14 Copied Out by the Men of Hezekiah: the Glory of Kings
B. 15–28 A Word Fitly Spoken, and Coals of Fire on His Head

Top cross-references8 chapters ▾

Proverbs 155 verses
- Proverbs 15:1A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
- Proverbs 15:5A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.
- Proverbs 15:23A man takes joy in a fitting reply—and how good is a timely word!
- Proverbs 15:30The light of the eyes cheers the heart, and good news nourishes the bones.
- Proverbs 15:31He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
- Read Proverbs 15 →
Proverbs 164 verses
- Proverbs 16:12Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.
- Proverbs 16:14The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
- Proverbs 16:19It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.
- Proverbs 16:32He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.
- Read Proverbs 16 →
Proverbs 203 verses
- Proverbs 20:6Many a man proclaims his loving devotion, but who can find a trustworthy man?
- Proverbs 20:8A king who sits on a throne to judge sifts out all evil with his eyes.
- Proverbs 20:19He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips.
- Read Proverbs 20 →
Proverbs 272 verses
- Proverbs 27:2Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—a stranger, and not your own lips.
- Proverbs 27:15A constant dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike—
- Read Proverbs 27 →

4 more chapters this one speaks with

Proverbs 252 verses
- Proverbs 25:25Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
- Proverbs 25:27It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory.
- Read Proverbs 25 →
1 Kings 42 verses
- 1 Kings 4:29And God gave Solomon wisdom, exceedingly deep insight, and understanding beyond measure, like the sand on the seashore.
- 1 Kings 4:32Solomon composed three thousand proverbs, and his songs numbered a thousand and five.
- Read 1 Kings 4 →
Proverbs 172 verses
- Proverbs 17:3A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.
- Proverbs 17:14To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out.
- Read Proverbs 17 →
Luke 142 verses
- Luke 14:7When Jesus noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, He told them a parable:
- Luke 14:11For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
- Read Luke 14 →

Cross-references from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and OpenBible.info.