Proverbs 14:26-35

26 In the fear of the LORD one has ¹strong confidence, and ²his children will have ³a refuge.

27 The fear of the LORD is ⁴a fountain of life, that one may ⁵turn away from the snares of death.

28 In ⁶a multitude of people is the glory of a king, but without people a prince is ruined.

29 Whoever is ⁷slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

30 A tranquil^[a] heart gives ⁸life to the flesh, but ⁹envy^[b] makes ¹⁰the bones rot.

31 Whoever oppresses a poor man ¹¹insults his ¹²Maker, ¹³but he who is generous to the needy honors him.

32 ¹⁴The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing, but ¹⁵the righteous finds refuge in his death.

33 Wisdom ¹⁶rests in the heart of a man of understanding, but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.^[c]

34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

35 A servant who deals wisely has ¹⁷the king's favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.

Proverbs 14:26-35 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST KINGS 4

As in the preceding chapter we have a proof of the wisdom and understanding which the Lord gave to Solomon, as promised, so in this an account is given of the riches and honour he was possessed of; of him, as king over all Israel, and of his princes, 1Ki 4:1-6; of the providers of food for his household in the several parts of the land, 1Ki 4:7-19; of the largeness and extent of his dominions, and of the peace and prosperity thereof, 1Ki 4:20,21,24,25; of his daily provisions for his household and for his cattle, 1Ki 4:22,23,26-28; and of his superior wisdom and knowledge to all others in all nations, which brought some out of all to hear it, 1Ki 4:29-34.

Cross References

• 1. [Proverbs 1:33]
• 2. [Psalms 73:15]
• 3. See Psalms 14:6
• 4. See Proverbs 10:11
• 5. See Proverbs 13:14
• 6. [1 Kings 4:20]
• 7. Proverbs 16:32; Proverbs 19:11; [ver. 17; Ecclesiastes 7:9; James 1:19]
• 8. See Proverbs 4:22
• 9. [Psalms 112:10]
• 10. Proverbs 12:4
• 11. Proverbs 17:5; [Matthew 25:40, 45]
• 12. Proverbs 22:2; See Job 35:10
• 13. Proverbs 28:8
• 14. Proverbs 24:16
• 15. Genesis 49:18; Psalms 16:11; Psalms 17:15; Psalms 23:4; 2 Corinthians 1:9; 2 Corinthians 5:8; 2 Timothy 4:18; [Numbers 23:10]; See Job 19:25-27
• 16. Ecclesiastes 7:9; Proverbs 12:16; Proverbs 29:11
• 17. [Proverbs 16:13; Proverbs 22:11]; See Matthew 24:45-47

Footnotes

• [a]. Or healing
• [b]. Or jealousy
• [c]. Or Wisdom rests quietly in the heart of a man of understanding, but makes itself known in the midst of fools