Proverbs 20
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Verse 18: See Proverbs 15:22.
Verse 19: It is best to avoid a gossip, because he or she may soon be gossiping about us! (see Proverbs 11:13).
Verse 20: According to the law of Moses, cursing one’s parents was punishable by death (Exodus21:17;Leviticus20:9). Snuffing out a person’s lamp means putting that person to death. Cursing one’s parents can take many forms: verbal abuse, physical abuse, and the refusal to meet their needs. Honoring one’s parents is a requirement for all of God’s people (Exodus 20:12).
Verse 21: Those who demand their inheritance quickly may live to regret it (see Luke 15:11–16).
Verse 22: See Proverbs 19:11; Romans 12:19; 1 Peter 3:9.
Verse 24: A man’s steps are directed by the LORD (see Proverbs 32:5–6; 16:9). The Lord’s actions are above human comprehension; we know something of God’s ways from Scripture, but still His thoughts are far higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8). Therefore, we cannot fully understand the way in which God directs us. We must learn to trust Him.
Verse 25: If we make a vow to God, we must fulfill it (Numbers 30:1–2; Deuteronomy 23:21–23).
Verse 26: See verse 8.
Verse 27: The lamp of the LORD—His “eye,” His light—searches the spirit of a man. Humans have a spiritual capacity to respond to God; they have a conscience which can be awakened, enlightened, by God’s Spirit. As God searches our inmost being, we also, with the Spirit’s help, can search ourselves and identify those things within us that displease God (see Proverbs 5:21; 15:3,11; Hebrews 4:12–13).
Verse 28: Love and faithfulness keep a king (leader) safe. First,God’s covenant love and faithfulness keep His anointed leader safe. Second, the leader’s own love and faithfulness to God’s covenant keeps him “safe,” because his people will respect him and be loyal to him. Love and faithfulness are the two pillars of God’s covenant with His people (see Proverbs 3:3–4; 16–12).
Verse 30: Sometimes stern punishment is needed to restrain evil; this proverb affirms the necessity of corporal punishment in cleansing a young person from evil (see Proverbs 13:24; 22:15).