Proverbs 16:4-14

4 The Lord has prepared everything for His purpose- even the wicked for the day of disaster.^[a]

5 Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the Lord;^[b] be assured,^[c] he will not go unpunished.^[d]

6 Wickedness is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness, and one turns from evil by the fear of the Lord.^[e]

7 When a man's ways please the Lord, He^[f] makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 Better a little with righteousness than great income with injustice.^[g]

9 A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps.^[h]

10 God's verdict is on the lips of a king;^{[i] [j]} his mouth should not err in judgment.^[k]

11 Honest balances and scales are the Lord's; all the weights in the bag^[l] are His concern.^[m]

12 Wicked behavior^[n] is detestable to kings, since a throne is established through righteousness.^[o]

13 Righteous lips are a king's delight, and he loves one who speaks honestly.

14 A king's fury is a messenger of death, but a wise man appeases it.^[p]

Proverbs 16:4-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST KINGS 6

This chapter gives an account of the building of the temple, for which preparations were before made and begins with the time of its building, 1Ki 6:1; gives the dimensions of it and the porch before it, 1Ki 6:2,3; observes the windows in it and chambers about it, 1Ki 6:4-10; and while it was building, Solomon had a word from the Lord relative to it, 1Ki 6:11-14; and then the account goes on concerning the walls of the house, and the flooring of it, 1Ki 6:15-18; and the oracle in it, and the cherubim in that, 1Ki 6:19-30; and the doors into it, and the carved work of them, 1Ki 6:31-36; and the chapter is concluded with observing the time when it was begun and finished 1Ki 6:37,38.

Footnotes

• [a]. Rm 9:21-22
• [b]. Pr 6:16-17; 8:13; 2 Ch 32:25
• [c]. Lit hand to hand
• [d]. Pr 11:21; 16:18; Ps 101:5
• [e]. Jb 28:28; Pr 3:7
• [f]. Or he
• [g]. Pr 15:16-17; 16:19; 28:6; Ps 37:16
• [h]. Pr 16:1; 19:21; 20:24
• [i]. Or A divination is on the lips of a king
• [j]. 2 Sm 14:17,20
• [k]. Pr 18:14-15; 2 Sm 23:2-3
• [l]. Merchants kept the stones for their balance scales in a bag.
• [m]. Pr 11:1; Lv 19:36; Ezk 45:10; Mc 6:11
• [n]. Whether the wicked behavior is on the part of the king or someone else is ambiguous in Hb.
• [o]. Pr 25:5; Ps 101
• [p]. Ec 10:4