Avowedly here is a supplement of “proverbs of Solomon” not contained in the preceding collection. What is there in this to demur to? Those we have had abide in their excellence. If more be added of no less divine excellence, why be ungrateful to God? Is our eye evil because He is good? Let us not be faithless but believing.
“There also [are] proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
[It is] the glory of God to conceal a thing; but the glory of kings [is] to search out a matter.
The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings [is] unsearchable.
Take away dross from the silver, and there cometh forth a vessel for the finer.
Take away the wicked [from] before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great [men].
For better [is it] that it be said to thee, Come up hither, than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen” (vers. 1-7).
What an illustration of God's glory in concealing is that which the apostle Paul has unveiled at last by the Spirit when the fit moment arrived for its revelation! a great mystery truly, for it concerned Christ and with Him the church as His body. It was hid in God from the ages and generations when God was dealing first with individuals, then with His ancient people, whilst the great experiment was made in every way whether man by himself could be brought to God or worthily represent Him. The end of such dispensations was the rejection of Christ on the cross; which His grace made the ground of salvation by the gospel. Nor this only, but setting the risen and glorified Christ in the new and unparalleled glory of Head over all things heavenly and earthly, and uniting with Him those who now believe in the closest union of His body, would show His love in the Father's house and His glory at His appearing. It is a most wonderful proof that it is His glory to conceal a thing; but the principle applies widely, that we may be exercised in all dependence on what He alone can impart in His ways with us.
With kings it is the other side of sifting out, on behalf of their subjects, good or evil to reward or punish it. They are ordained by God and alike are the fountain of earthly honor, and bear the sword not in vain to punish evil-doers. Hence the need of searching out a matter.
No sovereign better than Solomon exemplifies that the heart of kings is unsearchable. See his decision of the dispute between the mothers, whose was the dead child, and whose the living one. Was there one soul that penetrated his heart when he asked for a sword and said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other? The false mother was as willing as the true was not; but who could have anticipated it but the king? What sounded cruel turned out wise and kind. “The heaven for height and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.”
All the more important, if there be precious metal, that the base alloy be taken away. Then only comes forth a thing of beauty and for use.
So is it that the wicked should not enjoy court favors. Righteous repudiation of evil ones establishes a throne in men's consciences.
But there is another moral element of great moment there and everywhere else: not self-seeking but a truly humble mind. As our Lord said, If it were but about a place at a feast, go and take the last, that when the host comes, he may say, Friend, go up higher. So here “Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king nor in the place of great [men].” What a reproof of vanity to be thrust lower and in the prince's presence too!
Let us not forget Him who lived what He said, and said for our edification, “everyone that exalteth himself shall be abased, and he that abaseth himself shall be exalted.”