Proverbs 16:4-14

4 ¹The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even ²the wicked for the day of trouble.

5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is ³an abomination to the LORD; ⁴be assured, he will not go unpunished.

6 By ⁵steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by ⁶the fear of the LORD one ⁷turns away from evil.

7 When a man's ways please the LORD, ⁸he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 ⁹Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.

9 ¹⁰The heart of man plans his way, but ¹¹the LORD establishes his steps.

10 ¹²An oracle is on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment.

11 ¹³A just balance and scales are the LORD's; all the weights in the bag are his work.

12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for ¹⁴the throne is established by righteousness.

13 ¹⁵Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right.

14 ¹⁶A king's wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will ¹⁷appease it.

Proverbs 16:4-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST KINGS 6

This chapter gives an account of the building of the temple, for which preparations were before made and begins with the time of its building, 1Ki 6:1; gives the dimensions of it and the porch before it, 1Ki 6:2,3; observes the windows in it and chambers about it, 1Ki 6:4-10; and while it was building, Solomon had a word from the Lord relative to it, 1Ki 6:11-14; and then the account goes on concerning the walls of the house, and the flooring of it, 1Ki 6:15-18; and the oracle in it, and the cherubim in that, 1Ki 6:19-30; and the doors into it, and the carved work of them, 1Ki 6:31-36; and the chapter is concluded with observing the time when it was begun and finished 1Ki 6:37,38.

Cross References

• 1. Romans 11:36
• 2. Job 21:30; [Exodus 9:16]
• 3. Proverbs 6:16, 17; Proverbs 8:13; Luke 16:15
• 4. Proverbs 11:21; [Proverbs 28:20]
• 5. Daniel 4:27
• 6. Proverbs 14:16
• 7. ver. 17; Job 28:28
• 8. [Genesis 26:28; 2 Chronicles 17:10]
• 9. See Proverbs 15:16
• 10. [ver. 1; Proverbs 19:21]
• 11. Proverbs 20:24; [Psalms 37:23; Jeremiah 10:23]
• 12. [1 Kings 3:28]
• 13. See Proverbs 11:1
• 14. Proverbs 25:5; [Proverbs 20:28; Proverbs 29:14; Isaiah 16:5]
• 15. [Proverbs 14:35; Proverbs 22:11]
• 16. Proverbs 19:12; Proverbs 20:2
• 17. [Proverbs 25:15]