Proverbs 26

1 As snow in summer and as rain in harvest, so honour is not suited for a fool.

2 As the sparrow in its wandering, as the swallow in its flight, so the curse causeless shall never come.

3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.

4 Never answer a fool according to his folly lest thou also be like unto him.

5 Answer the fool showing him his folly lest he be wise in his own conceit.

6 He that gives responsibility to one who is not able to carry it out is like him that sends a message by the hand of a fool, and he shall drink the damage.

7 Like unto the way that the one who is lame walks, so is a proverb in the mouth of the fool.

8 As he that binds the stone in the sling, so is he that gives honour to a fool.

9 As thorns sunk into the hand of one who is drunk, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

10 The great God that formed all things rewards both the fool and transgressors.

11 As a dog returns to his vomit, so the fool returns to his folly.

12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

14 As the door turns upon his hinges, so does the slothful upon his bed.

15 The slothful hides his hand in his bosom; it grieves him to bring it again to his mouth.

16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can give him counsel.

17 He that passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him is like one that takes a dog by the ears.

18 As a mad man who casts firebrands, arrows, and death,

19 so is the man that destroys his friend and says, Am I not in sport?

20 Where there is no wood, the fire goes out, so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceases.

21 Charcoal for burning coals and wood for fire, and a contentious man to kindle strife.

22 The words of a talebearer seem smooth, but they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.

24 He that hates dissembles with his lips and lays up deceit within him;

25 when he speaks fair, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.

26 Even though his hatred is covered up in the desert, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation.

27 Whosoever digs a pit shall fall therein, and he that rolls a stone, it will return upon him.

28 A lying tongue hates those that are afflicted by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin.

Proverbs 26 Commentary

Chapter 26

Verse 1 Honour is out of season to those unworthy and unfit for it. Verse 2 . He that is cursed without cause, the curse shall do him no more harm than the bird that flies over his head. Verse 3 . Every creature must be dealt with according to its nature, but careless and profligate sinners never will be ruled by reason and persuasion. Man indeed is born like the wild ass's colt; but ( proverbs 26:4-5 ) remarks to the man, and address them to his conscience, so as may best end the debate. ( 6-9 ) . Fools are not fit to be trusted, nor to have any honour. Wise sayings, as a foolish man delivers and applies them, lose their usefulness. Verse 10 . This verse may either declare how the Lord, the Creator of all men, will deal with sinners according to their guilt, or, how the powerful among men should disgrace and punish the wicked. Verse 11 . The dog is a loathsome emblem of those sinners who return to their vices, ( Verse 12 ) . We see many a one who has some little sense, but is proud of it. This describes those who think their spiritual state to be good, when really it is very bad. Verse 13 . The slothful man hates every thing that requires care and labour. But it is foolish to frighten ourselves from real duties by fancied difficulties. This may be applied to a man slothful in the duties of religion. Verse 14 . Having seen the slothful man in fear of his work, here we find him in love with his ease. Bodily ease is the sad occasion of many spiritual diseases. He does not care to get forward with his business. Slothful professors turn thus. The world and the flesh are hinges on which they are hung; and though they move in a course of outward services, yet they are not the nearer to heaven. Verse 15 . The sluggard is now out of his bed, but he might have lain there, for any thing he is likely to bring to pass in his work. It is common for men who will not do their duty, to pretend they cannot. Those that are slothful in religion, will not be at the pains to feed their souls with the bread of life, nor to fetch in promised blessings by prayer. Verse 16 . He that takes pains in religion, knows he is working for a good Master, and that his labour shall not be in vain. Verse 17 . To make ourselves busy in other men's matters, is to ( proverbs 26:18-19 ) must repent in earnest, or his sin will be his ruin. ( 20-22 ) . Contention heats the spirit, and puts families and societies into a flame. And that fire is commonly kindled and kept burning by whisperers and backbiters. Verse 23 . A wicked heart disguising itself, is like a potsherd covered with the dross of silver. ( 24-26 ) . Always distrust when a man speaks fair unless you know him well. Satan, in his temptations, speaks fair, as he did to Eve; but it is madness to give credit to him. Verse 27 . What pains men take to do mischief to others! but it is digging a pit, it is rolling a stone, hard work; and they prepare mischief to themselves. Verse 28 . There are two sorts of lies equally detestable. A slandering lie, the mischief of this every body sees. A flattering lie, which secretly works ruin. A wise man will be more afraid of a flatterer than of a slanderer.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 13

In this chapter is an account of a man of God being sent to exclaim against Jeroboam's altar, and threaten its destruction, of which he gave a sign, which was accomplished, and with it the withering of the king's hand, which was healed upon the prophet's prayer for him, 1Ki 13:1-7, who would have entertained him at his house, but he refused the offer, and departed, 1Ki 13:8-10, but an old prophet in Bethel hearing of him, rode after him, and fetched him back to eat bread with him, through a lie he told him, 1Ki 13:11-19 upon which the word came to the old prophet, threatening the man of God with death for disobeying his command, and which was accordingly executed by a lion that met him in the way, and slew him, 1Ki 13:20-24, of which the old prophet being informed, went and took up his carcass, and buried it in his own sepulchre, where he charged his sons to bury him also when dead, believing that all the man of God had said would be fulfilled, 1Ki 13:25-30 and the chapter is closed with observing the continuance of Jeroboam in his idolatry, 1Ki 13:33,34.