# Proverbs 25 đź“–: Words Fitly Spoken
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> [!info] Table of Contents
> [[#đź“ś Scripture Text (NET)]]
> [[#đź“– Verse-by-Verse Commentary]]
> [[#🤔 Interesting Facts]]
> [[#🧠Chapter Summary]]
> [[#✝️ Christ in This Chapter]]
> [[#🔎 Key Observations / 🛟 Life Application]]
> [[#đź’¬ Discussion Questions]]
> [[#✍️ Key Verses to Remember]]
> [[#đź”— Related Passages]]
> [[#🙏 Devotional Reflection]]
> [[#🛤 Life Application]]
> [[#đź“‚ Internal Notes]]
## đź“ś Scripture Text (NET)
(The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005)
#### More Proverbs of Solomon
**Principle**:
[[#Verse 01.]] These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of King Hezekiah of Judah copied:
[[#Verse 02.]] It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, and it is the glory of a king to search out a matter.
[[#Verse 03.]] As the heaven is high and the earth is deep so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
[[#Verse 04.]] Remove the dross from the silver, and material for the silversmith will emerge;
[[#Verse 05.]] remove the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
[[#Verse 06.]] Do not honor yourself before the king, and do not stand in the place of great men;
[[#Verse 07.]] for it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,” than to put you lower before a prince, whom your eyes have seen.
[[#Verse 08.]] Do not go out hastily to litigation, or what will you do afterward when your neighbor puts you to shame?
[[#Verse 09.]] When you argue a case with your neighbor, do not reveal the secret of another person,
[[#Verse 10.]] lest the one who hears it put you to shame and your infamy will never go away.
[[#Verse 11.]] Like apples of gold in settings of silver, so is a word skillfully spoken.
[[#Verse 12.]] Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to the ear of the one who listens.
[[#Verse 13.]] Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the heart of his masters.
[[#Verse 14.]] Like cloudy skies and wind that produce no rain, so is the one who boasts of a gift not given.
[[#Verse 15.]] Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a soft tongue can break a bone.
[[#Verse 16.]] You have found honey—eat only what is sufficient for you, lest you become stuffed with it and vomit it up.
[[#Verse 17.]] Don’t set foot too frequently in your neighbor’s house, lest he become weary of you and hate you.
[[#Verse 18.]] Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow, so is the one who testifies against his neighbor as a false witness.
[[#Verse 19.]] Like a bad tooth or a foot out of joint, so is confidence in an unfaithful person at the time of trouble.
[[#Verse 20.]] Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day or like vinegar poured on soda, so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
[[#Verse 21.]] If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
[[#Verse 22.]] for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you.
[[#Verse 23.]] The north wind brings forth rain, and a gossiping tongue brings forth an angry look.
[[#Verse 24.]] It is better to live on a corner of the housetop than in a house in company with a quarrelsome wife.
[[#Verse 25.]] Like cold water to a weary person, so is good news from a distant land.
[[#Verse 26.]] Like a muddied spring and a polluted well, so is a righteous person who gives way before the wicked.
[[#Verse 27.]] It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable for people to seek their own glory.
[[#Verse 28.]] Like a city that is broken down and without a wall, so is a person who cannot control his temper.
## đź“– Verse-by-Verse Commentary
###### Overall.
###### Verse 01.
###### Verse 02.
###### Verse 03.
###### Verse 04.
###### Verse 05.
###### Verse 06.
###### Verse 07.
###### Verse 08.
###### Verse 09.
###### Verse 10.
###### Verse 11.
###### Verse 12.
###### Verse 13.
###### Verse 14.
###### Verse 15.
###### Verse 16.
###### Verse 17.
###### Verse 18.
###### Verse 19.
###### Verse 20.
###### Verse 21.
###### Verse 22.
###### Verse 23.
###### Verse 24.
###### Verse 25.
###### Verse 26.
###### Verse 27.
###### Verse 28.
## 🤔 Interesting Facts
- This chapter begins the section of Proverbs compiled by the men of King Hezekiah (Proverbs 25–29).
- Verse 2—“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings”—highlights divine mystery and human inquiry.
- Proverbs 25 contains many verses about restraint in speech, fitting for those in leadership or social conflict.
- Several verses use vivid imagery (e.g., “apples of gold in settings of silver”) to describe well-spoken words (v. 11).
- It emphasizes patience and humility in conflict resolution, encouraging gentle responses even before rulers (v. 15).
1. Verse 1 says these proverbs of Solomon were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah, more than two centuries after Solomon.
2. The Hezekiah collection runs from chapter 25 through chapter 29.
3. Hezekiah led a major spiritual reform in Judah (2 Chronicles 29-31), and gathering wisdom literature fits that renewal.
4. Jesus' teaching about taking the lowest seat at a banquet (Luke 14:7-11) closely echoes 25:6-7.
5. Paul quotes 25:21-22 in Romans 12:20.
6. A trustworthy messenger is like the cold of snow at harvest time (25:13). Many think of snow brought down from the mountains to cool drinks in the summer heat.
7. Someone who boasts of gifts he never gives is like clouds and wind without rain (25:14).
8. Verse 16 warns that eating too much honey can make you sick, and verse 17 applies the same principle to visiting your neighbor too often.
9. Verse 24 repeats 21:9 word for word.
10. Many sayings in this chapter are comparisons that set two images side by side, a style common in the Hezekiah collection.
## 🧠Chapter Summary
**Main Teaching**: Proverbs 25, compiled by King Hezekiah’s men from Solomon’s wisdom, focuses on wise leadership, restraint in speech, and responding to conflict with patience and humility. It encourages discretion, peacemaking, and self-control.
**How It Fits in Proverbs**: This chapter begins a new section of collected sayings, emphasizing the social value of wisdom—especially in kingship, influence, and relationships. It shifts slightly from family life to public conduct and diplomacy.
**Apologetic Insight**: Proverbs 25 affirms that wisdom applies even in high places and that God values humility, not just competence. It critiques the modern exaltation of charisma and raw power, emphasizing instead virtue as the foundation of lasting influence.
## ✝️ Christ in This Chapter
Christ is the King who humbled Himself and was exalted (25:6-7; Philippians 2:8-9). He calls us to feed our enemies and overcome evil with good (25:21-22; Romans 12:20-21), and He is the good news from a distant land that refreshes the weary soul (25:25).
## 🔎 Key Observations / 🛟 Life Application
- 📌 Wise speech is like gold—valuable and timely.
- đź“Ś Self-control is a mark of strength and honor.
- đź“Ś Gentleness and patience can persuade even powerful people.
#### Today, I can apply this chapter by:
- âś… Keep confidence when someone shares something private with you.
- ✅ Avoid speaking too much—say only what is necessary and kind.
- âś… Show patience with others instead of pushing your own way.
- âś… Be gentle in your approach when giving correction or feedback.
- ✅ Don’t seek your own honor—let others recognize your good work.
## đź’¬ Discussion Questions
1. Words spoken at the right time are like apples of gold in settings of silver (25:11). Who needs a well-timed word from you?
2. Verses 6-7 warn against promoting yourself. How did Jesus apply this in Luke 14:7-11?
3. Feeding a hungry enemy heaps burning coals on his head (25:21-22). What does it look like to repay evil with kindness?
## ✍️ Key Verses to Remember
- đź“– verse 2: It is God's glory to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out.
- đź“– verse 11: Words spoken at the right time are like golden apples in a silver setting. Timely, wise words are beautiful and valuable.
- đź“– verse 28: A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.
## đź”— Related Passages
- đź”— [[Proverbs 15#Verse 23.|Proverbs 15:23]] - A fitting word at the right time is a joy.
- đź”— [[James 03#Verse 02.|James 3:2]] - Whoever controls his tongue is mature.
- đź”— [[Galatians 05#Verse 22.|Galatians 5:22-23]] - The fruit of the Spirit includes self-control.
- đź”— [[Luke 14#Verse 07.|Luke 14:7-11]] - Take the lowest place, and you will be honored.
- đź”— [[Romans 12#Verse 20.|Romans 12:20-21]] - Feed your enemy and overcome evil with good.
## 🙏 Devotional Reflection
> [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way.
## 🛤 Life Application
> [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way.
## đź“‚ Internal Notes