Bridges on Proverbs 25:1
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 25:1
 
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1.  These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
 
THIS seems to be a third division of this sacred book.† The selection was probably made (with several repetitions from the former part†) from “the three thousand proverbs which Solomon spoke;”† and which, having been carefully preserved, the men of Hezekiah copied out, nearly three hundred years after. Thus the word of God, brought out of obscurity for the instruction of the people, stamped the reformation of this godly king (2 Chronicles 31:21); as it did the reformation of Josiah in after-times.† The New Testament fully authenticates this section of the book as part of the inspired canon.† We are not reading therefore the maxims of the wisest of men. But the voice from heaven proclaims — “These are the true sayings of God.”
The Holy Spirit mentions not only the author, but the copyists, of these proverbs. And often has good service been done to the Church, not only by original writers, but by those who have copied and brought out their writings into wider circulation. The world usually honours only the grand instruments, and casts the humbler agency into the shade. (Ecclesiastes 9:15, 16.) But God honors not only the primary, but the subordinate instruments; not only the five — but the one talent — faithfully laid out for him. The blessing is not promised to their number — but to their improvement. (Matthew 25:21-23.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
See Chapter 1. and 10. - 24 (note Chapter number colors)
(See also Preface)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
See a Note on this Footnote:
Chapter 25:1 with 24:23    Chapter 25:15 with 19:24    Ch. 25:24 with 21:9    Chapter 26:13 with 22:13    Chapter 26:22 with 18:8    Ch. 27:12 with 22:3    Chapter 27:13 with 20:16    Chapter 27:15 with 19:13    Ch. 28:6 with 19:1    Chapter 28:18 with 10:9    Chapter 28:19 with 12:11    Chapter 28:21 with 18:5
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
1 Kings 4:32. Compare Ecclesiastes 12:9. Does not the divine discrimination, which has withheld the whole of Solomon's writings, reprove the indiscriminate publication of all that eminent men may have left in manuscript? Crudities, and even gross errors, have been thus accredited by the authority of great names, not less unjustly to their memory, than injuriously to the Church.
 
 
1 Kings 4:32
32 And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.
 
Compare
Ecclesiastes 12:9
9 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. {moreover...: or, the more wise the preacher was, etc}
 
 
2 Chronicles 31:21
21 And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.
 
 
Footnote:
2 Chronicles 34:14-30. We mark the same Divine stamp of mercy upon our own precious, though reviled, Reformation.
 
 
2 Chronicles 34:14-30
14 ¶ And when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found a book of the law of the LORD given by Moses. {by: Heb. by the hand of} 15 And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan. 16 And Shaphan carried the book to the king, and brought the king word back again, saying, All that was committed to thy servants, they do it. {to thy...: Heb. to the hand of, etc} 17 And they have gathered together the money that was found in the house of the LORD, and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers, and to the hand of the workmen. {gathered together: Heb. poured out, or, melted} 18 Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king. {it: Heb. in it} 19 And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes. 20 And the king commanded Hilkiah, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Abdon the son of Micah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king's, saying, {Abdon: or, Achbor} 21 Go, enquire of the LORD for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD, to do after all that is written in this book. 22 And Hilkiah, and they that the king had appointed, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvath, the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college:) and they spake to her to that effect. {Hasrah: also called, Harhas} {wardrobe: Heb. garments} {in the college: or, in the school, or, in the second part} 23 And she answered them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell ye the man that sent you to me, 24 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah: 25 Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be poured out upon this place, and shall not be quenched. 26 And as for the king of Judah, who sent you to enquire of the LORD, so shall ye say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel concerning the words which thou hast heard; 27 Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD. 28 Behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace, neither shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place, and upon the inhabitants of the same. So they brought the king word again. 29 ¶ Then the king sent and gathered together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. 30 And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people, great and small: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of the LORD. {great...: Heb. from great even to small}
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Chapter 25:6-7 with Luke 14:7-10    Prov. 25:21-22 with Ro. 12:20   
Proverbs 26:11 with 2 Peter 2:22      Proverbs 27:1 with James 4:14   
 
 
Ecclesiastes 9:15, 16
15 Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. 16 Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
 
 
Matthew 25:21-23
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
e-compiler's note:
There were several reference, syntax, & ordering errors and obscurities in this footnote. Mr. Bridges' point is to show that several Proverbs in this third division of the Book are repetitions from former sections. An attempt has been made to sort through the errors/obscurities and correct them. Some of the pairs are not exact requotes & have significant variations, further complicating the process of discerning what was originally intended to be joined together. It was thought that including these would be preferable to reproducing what are clearly mistakes in this printing of the book (1978 reprint, ISBN 0 85151 088 4).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 25:1
1 ¶ These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
 
with
Proverbs 24:23
23 ¶ These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 25:15
¶ The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth. {it grieveth...: or, he is weary}
 
with
Proverbs 19:24
24 ¶ A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 25:24
24 ¶ It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
 
with
Proverbs 21:9
9 ¶ It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house. {a brawling...: Heb. a woman of contentions} {a wide...: Heb. an house of society}
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 26:13
13 ¶ The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
 
with
Proverbs 22:13
13 ¶ The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 26:22
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. {innermost...: Heb. chambers}
 
with
Proverbs 18:8
8 ¶ The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. {talebearer: or, whisperer} {as wounds: or, like as when men are wounded} {most...: Heb. chambers}
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 27:12
12 ¶ A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
 
with
Proverbs 22:3
3 ¶ A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 27:13
¶ Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
 
with
Proverbs 20:16
16 ¶ Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 27:15
¶ A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.
 
with
Proverbs 19:13
13 ¶ A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 28:6
6 ¶ Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
 
with
Proverbs 19:1
1 ¶ Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 28:18
18 ¶ Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
 
with
Proverbs 10:9
¶ He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 28:19
¶ He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
 
with
Proverbs 12:11
11 ¶ He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 28:21
21 ¶ To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
 
with
Proverbs 18:5
5 ¶ It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.