Proverbs 17

1 Better a dry crust with quiet than a house full of feasting with quarrels.

2 An insightful servant rules over a disgraceful son and will divide an inheritance with the brothers.

3 A crucible is for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart.

4 An evildoer pays attention to guilty lips; a liar listens to a destructive tongue.

5 Those who mock the poor insult their maker; those who rejoice in disaster won't go unpunished.

6 Grandchildren are the crown of the elderly, and the glory of children is their parents.

7 Too much talking isn't right for a fool; even less so false speech for an honorable person.

8 A bribe seems magical in the eyes of those who give it, granting success to all who use it.

9 One who seeks love conceals an offense, but one who repeats it divides friends.

10 A rebuke goes deeper to an understanding person than a hundred lashes to a fool.

11 Evil people seek only rebellion; a cruel messenger will be sent against them.

12 Safer to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than fools in their folly.

13 Evil will never depart from the house of those who return evil for good.

14 The start of a quarrel is like letting out water, so drop the dispute before it breaks out.

15 Judging the righteous wicked and the wicked righteous— the LORD detests both of these.

16 Why should a fool have money to pay for wisdom? He has no mind.

17 Friends love all the time, and kinsfolk are born for times of trouble.

18 One with no sense shakes hands on a deal, securing a loan for a friend.

19 Those who love an offense love a quarrel; those who build a high doorway invite a collapse.

20 Those with crooked hearts won't prosper, and those with twisted tongues will fall into trouble.

21 Having a fool for a son brings grief; there's no joy for a scoundrel's father.

22 A joyful heart helps healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

23 The wicked take secret bribes to twist the way of justice.

24 Wisdom is right in front of those with understanding, but the eyes of fools are off to the edges of the earth.

25 A foolish son is irritating to his father and bitter to her who gave birth to him.

26 It isn't good to punish the righteous, to strike the honorable for their integrity.

27 Wise are those who restrain their talking; people with understanding are coolheaded.

28 Fools who keep quiet are deemed wise; those who shut their lips are smart.

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.

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.