Proverbs 17

1 Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting—and conflict.

2 A wise servant will rule over the master’s disgraceful son and will share the inheritance of the master’s children.

3 Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the LORD tests the heart.

4 Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip; liars pay close attention to slander.

5 Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished.

6 Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children.

7 Eloquent words are not fitting for a fool; even less are lies fitting for a ruler.

8 A bribe is like a lucky charm; whoever gives one will prosper!

9 Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.

10 A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool.

11 Evil people are eager for rebellion, but they will be severely punished.

12 It is safer to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than to confront a fool caught in foolishness.

13 If you repay good with evil, evil will never leave your house.

14 Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out.

15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent— both are detestable to the LORD .

16 It is senseless to pay to educate a fool, since he has no heart for learning.

17 A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.

18 It’s poor judgment to guarantee another person’s debt or put up security for a friend.

19 Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin; anyone who trusts in high walls invites disaster.

20 The crooked heart will not prosper; the lying tongue tumbles into trouble.

21 It is painful to be the parent of a fool; there is no joy for the father of a rebel.

22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

23 The wicked take secret bribes to pervert the course of justice.

24 Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

25 Foolish children bring grief to their father and bitterness to the one who gave them birth.

26 It is wrong to punish the godly for being good or to flog leaders for being honest.

27 A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.

28 Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.

Proverbs 17 Commentary

Chapter 17

Verse 1 These words recommend family love and peace, as needful for the comfort of human life. Verse 2 . The wise servant is more deserving, and more likely to appear one of the family, than a profligate son. Verse 3 . God tries the heart by affliction. He thus has often shown the sin remaining in the heart of the believer. Verse 4 . Flatterers, especially false teachers, are welcome to those that live in sin. Verse 5 . Those that laugh at poverty, treat God's providence and precepts with contempt. Verse 6 . It is an honour to children to have wise and godly parents continued to them, even after they are grown up and settled in the world. Verse 7 . A fool, in Solomon's Proverbs, signifies a wicked man, whom excellent speech does not become, because his conversation contradicts it. Verse 8 . Those who set their hearts upon money, will do any thing for it. What influence should the gifts of God have on our hearts! Verse 9 . The way to preserve peace is to make the best of every thing; not to notice what has been said or done against ourselves. Verse 10 . A gentle reproof will enter, not only into the head, but into the heart of a wise man. Verse 11 . Satan, and the messengers of Satan, shall be let loose upon an evil man. Verse 12 . Let us watch over our own passions, and avoid the company of furious men. Verse 13 . To render evil for good is devilish. He that does so, brings a curse upon his family. Verse 14 . What danger there is in the beginning of strife! Resist its earliest display; and leave it off, if it were possible, before you begin. Verse 15 . It is an offence to God to acquit the guilty, or to condemn those who are not guilty. Verse 16 . Man's neglect of God's favour and his own interest is very absurd. Verse 17 . No change of outward circumstances should abate our affection for our friends or relatives. But no friend, except Christ, deserves unlimited confidence. In Him this text did receive, and still receives its most glorious fulfilment. Verse 18 . Let not any wrong their families. Yet Christ's becoming Surety for men, was a glorious display of Divine wisdom; for he was able to discharge the bond. Verse 19 . If we would keep a clear conscience and a quiet mind, we must shun all excitements to anger. And a man who affects a style of living above his means, goes the way to ruin. Verse 20 . There is nothing got by ill designs. And many have paid dear for an unbridled tongue. Verse 21 . This speaks very plainly what many wise and good men feel very strongly, how grievous it is to have a foolish, wicked child. Verse 22 . It is great mercy that God gives us leave to be cheerful, and cause to be cheerful, if by his grace he gives us hearts to be cheerful. Verse 23 . The wicked are ready to part with their money, though loved, that they may not suffer for their crimes. Verse 24 . The prudent man keeps the word of God continually in view. But the foolish man cannot fix his thoughts, nor pursue any purpose with steadiness. Verse 25 . Wicked children despise the authority of their father, and the tenderness of their mother. Verse 26 . It is very wrong to find fault ( proverbs 17:27-28 ) wise man, by the good temper of his mind, and by the good government of his tongue. He is careful when he does speak, to speak to the purpose. God knows his heart, and the folly that is bound there; therefore he cannot be deceived in his judgment as men may be.

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew fathers.
• [b]. Hebrew A foolish son.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 7

This chapter gives an account of some buildings of Solomon for himself, 1Ki 7:1-12; and of other things for the use of the temple; of two pillars of brass, 1Ki 7:13-22; of the molten sea, 1Ki 7:23-26; and of ten bases, and ten layers on them, 1Ki 7:27-39; with other utensils and ornaments, 1Ki 7:40-51.