Proverbs 16:14

14 [The] Indignation of the king is (like) messengers of death; and a wise man shall please him (but a wise person shall please him).

Proverbs 16:14 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 16:14

The wrath of a king [is as] messengers of death
Or, "angels of death", as the Targum. As the wrath of Ahasuerus was to Haman; when it is either discovered in the countenance of a king, or expressed by his words, or signified by a messenger; it sometimes has been immediate death to a person, and often as terrible as if a messenger brought the sentence of death; yea, it is as if one messenger after another was sent on such an errand, and therefore the word is in the plural number. How terrible is the wrath of the King of kings; and even to kings themselves, who are represented as flying to rocks and mountains to hide them from it! ( Revelation 6:15-17 ) ; but a wise man will pacify it;
by a proper acknowledgment of the offence committed; or by a prudent representation of his case, or the case of his friends; by soft answers and strong arguments, as Jonathan pacified the wrath of King Saul his father against David. He is a wise man that believes in Christ, and pleads his propitiatory sacrifice for the expiation of his sin, at the same time frankly acknowledging it.

Proverbs 16:14 In-Context

12 They that do wickedly be abominable to the king; for the throne of the realm is made steadfast by rightfulness.
13 The will of kings is just lips; he that speaketh rightful things, shall be (ad)dressed. (The desire of kings is just, or truthful, words; he who speaketh upright things shall be favoured.)
14 [The] Indignation of the king is (like) messengers of death; and a wise man shall please him (but a wise person shall please him).
15 Life is in gladness of the king's cheer; and his mercy is as rain coming late. (Life is in the gladness of the king's face; and his mercy is like the rain that cometh late.)
16 Wield thou wisdom, for it is better than gold; and get thou prudence, for it is preciouser than silver. (Possess thou wisdom, for it is better than gold; and get thou prudence, for it is more precious than silver.)
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.