1 These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
AS already intimated, we now enter upon a portion of this book, which did not form any part of it until the days of Hezekiah, nearly three centuries after the death of Solomon himself. Certain unnamed scribes, called in the Septuagint, “the friends of Hezekiah,” rescued from oblivion the maxims which form the five next chapters. We know from 1 Kings 4:33Elihoreph and Ahiah, the sons of Shisha, scribes; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder. (1 Kings 4:3)2 That the wise king “spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.” Of the latter we know little. We have the Song of Songs, the dirge of Ecclesiastes; and it seems likely that Psalm 127 and perhaps others were from his pen. The rest of his songs God has not seen fit to preserve. In the book of Proverbs we have already had before us over four hundred sayings which he collated and handed down to future generations.
In the portion we now take up we find many additional proverbs; but whether transmitted orally or in writing, from his days to the times of Hezekiah, we are not able to definitely decide. The rendering “copied out” would be in favor of the latter thought, but as the word is as correctly translated “collected” (according to well-informed Hebraists), we cannot be positive as to either position. All the Christian needs to enable him to be certain of their divine inspiration is the well-known fact that they formed part of the Old Testament Scriptures when Jesus authenticated all of the three great divisions of the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing;
But the honor of kings is to search out a matter.
3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth,
And the heart of kings is unsearchable.
But though He so acts, He would have those in authority search earnestly His word that they may find out His mind and will. This is good and profitable exercise.
As they delve into His hidden things, so He also searches out the secret chambers of their hearts which to their subjects are unknown. He keeps His own secrets, even as they theirs, revealing the same only to a chosen few.
Now all saints are kings unto God. Therefore He would communicate His mind to each one who studies to show himself approved unto Him. May it be ours to be manifestly kings in this happy sense!
4 Take away the dross from the silver
And there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
5 Take away the lawless from before the king,
And his throne shall be established in righteousness.
See note on Proverbs 17:33The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts. (Proverbs 17:3). As, by the removal of all dross from melted silver, there is produced that which suits the finer, so by the taking away of evil counselors and lawless men from before a king, his throne is established in righteousness. Notice, in Solomon’s history, the many evil-doers who had to be judged ere he could occupy his throne in safety and in quietness. See 1 Kings 2 Throughout.
The same principle abides in regard to the coming kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. The wicked shall be destroyed and all the transgressors rooted out of the land when He returns in triumph to usher in the great day of the Lord (2 Thess. 1 and 2; Rev. 19).
6 Display not thyself in the presence of the king,
And stand not in the place of great men.
7 For better is it that it be said unto thee,
Come up hither,
Than that thou shouldst be put lower
In the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.
That pride and love of approbation which leads one unduly to put himself forward in the presence of the great is almost certain to have a crushing rebuke. He who places his own estimate upon his importance and takes his place accordingly, will likely rate himself far higher than others would, and so be forced in shame to give place to abler and better men. The man who is content with the lowly seat may be called to a higher one if found to be deserving of such recognition. See David, chosen as king when but a shepherd-lad (1 Sam. 16).
8 Go not forth hastily to strive,
Lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof,
When thy neighbor hath put thee to shame.
See notes on Proverbs 24:5, 65A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. 6For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety. (Proverbs 24:5‑6), and 27. Only when the matter is clearly of the Lord should one “go forth to strive.” Too often saints are found like king Josiah meddling in matters that do not concern them, to their shame and deep grief. How significant the words “After all this,” by which the unhappy account of his failure in going out against Pharaoh-necho is introduced, after a lifetime of carefulness and of devotion to God; he “goes forth hastily” to take part in what he should never have interfered with, and so meets a dishonored death (2 Chron. 35:20-2420After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Carchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him. 21But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war: for God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not. 22Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo. 23And the archers shot at king Josiah; and the king said to his servants, Have me away; for I am sore wounded. 24His servants therefore took him out of that chariot, and put him in the second chariot that he had; and they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died, and was buried in one of the sepulchres of his fathers. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah. (2 Chronicles 35:20‑24)).
9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself;
And discover not a secret to another:
10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame,
And thine infamy turn not away.
Much trouble and mischief might be avoided if people were careful to keep their differences to themselves, in place of spreading abroad information as to their shameful quarrels. If the simple scriptural rule, “Tell him his fault between thee and him alone,” were more generally acted upon, how many misunderstandings might be put right at once, in place of dragging on for long seasons and involving an ever-increasing circle of persons who should properly never even have heard of the case.
To go direct to one with whom there is danger of a quarrel, and debate the matter in a gracious spirit with him in secret, carefully keeping the matter from sharp ears and prying eyes—this is what the proverb commends. Nor is it only something commended. It is directly commanded by God Himself. Happy shall His people be when it is taken to heart and conscientiously acted upon! See Matthew 5:25, 2625Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 26Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. (Matthew 5:25‑26).
11 As apples of gold in pictures of silver,
So is a word fitly spoken.
The imagery has puzzled most of the commentators. Just what apples of gold might be is a question with many. One supposes embroidery of golden apples among picture-work of silver.
The explanation that seems most reasonable and commendable is that, by golden, we are to understand a rich yellow or orange color merely; not that the apples are actually of gold. It might be citron fruit, or oranges upon a silver platter; and many so understand it.
But the writer witnessed one day a most unusual occurrence in the chief orange-growing district of southern California; something, indeed, that none remembered as having taken place previously. A fairly heavy fall of snow occurred during the height of the orange harvest. The trees everywhere were covered with the silvery down, and as the lovely view spread out before me, and I noticed the great yellow globes hanging among the whitened boughs and leaves, I exclaimed involuntarily, “Apples of gold in pictures of silver!”
May not Solomon have gazed upon just such a scene? Oranges, in his time, were plentiful in Palestine; and the citron, a large fruit of the lemon variety abounds there still. It is not unlikely that he had beheld a similar view, some wintry day, to that which I have attempted to describe.
The effect would be lovely beyond all powers of pen to make known, but equally lovely are right words spoken at the proper time. See the words of Boaz to Ruth, the Moabitess (Ruth 2:8-138Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens: 9Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn. 10Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger? 11And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been showed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. 12The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust. 13Then she said, Let me find favor in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens. (Ruth 2:8‑13)).
12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold,
So is a wise reprover upon an attentive ear.
A rebuke kindly administered by a wise man should, in place of a rousing indignation, be esteemed as of greater value than a costly present. Such were the words of Oded the prophet to the host of Judah, and we find them acted upon as a message from God (2 Chron. 28:9-159But a prophet of the Lord was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, because the Lord God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven. 10And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: but are there not with you, even with you, sins against the Lord your God? 11Now hear me therefore, and deliver the captives again, which ye have taken captive of your brethren: for the fierce wrath of the Lord is upon you. 12Then certain of the heads of the children of Ephraim, Azariah the son of Johanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, and Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa the son of Hadlai, stood up against them that came from the war, 13And said unto them, Ye shall not bring in the captives hither: for whereas we have offended against the Lord already, ye intend to add more to our sins and to our trespass: for our trespass is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel. 14So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the princes and all the congregation. 15And the men which were expressed by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and gave them to eat and to drink, and anointed them, and carried all the feeble of them upon asses, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their brethren: then they returned to Samaria. (2 Chronicles 28:9‑15)).
13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest,
So is a faithful messenger to them who send him:
For he refresheth the soul of his masters.
In ancient times, snow was used in Palestine, very much as ice is among us. In winter it was carefully put away so as to be available for cooling drinks in the heat of summer. The simile therefore is very easy to understand. As the cold snow refreshes the reapers in the warm harvest days, so does a dependable messenger refresh the soul of his masters. See Jahaziel in 2 Chronicles 20:14-1714Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the Lord in the midst of the congregation; 15And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. 16To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel. 17Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you. (2 Chronicles 20:14‑17).
14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift
Is like clouds and wind without rain.
See the contrast in Proverbs 18:1616A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. (Proverbs 18:16). When clouds are seen in the sky, in a period of drought, men hope for showers and are disappointed if they do not come. So when one talks of making gifts but fails to fulfill his promises, he disappoints in the same way.
But Jude refers to this passage in regard to those who profess to be gifted as teachers of the truth of God, but who in reality have nothing for the souls of their hearers. It is a common thing to see such men, self-confident and positive as to their abilities and spiritual insight, but who are bereft of all true godly discernment.
See the full description of such false gifts in Jude 11-1311Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. 12These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; 13Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. (Jude 11‑13).
15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded,
And a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
Continued kindness and forbearance are powerful agents in overcoming obstinacy and angry passion, which seem as unyielding as a bone. The latter, is a hard, inflexible thing, but a soft tongue is said to break it; that is, mild, persuasive language can overcome where heated terms and wrathful expressions would only arouse deeper resentment. See David’s words to Saul after he had spared that monarch’s life a second time (1 Sam. 26:17-2517And Saul knew David's voice, and said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king. 18And he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand? 19Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the Lord have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if they be the children of men, cursed be they before the Lord; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the Lord, saying, Go, serve other gods. 20Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the Lord: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains. 21Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly. 22And David answered and said, Behold the king's spear! and let one of the young men come over and fetch it. 23The Lord render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness: for the Lord delivered thee into my hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the Lord's anointed. 24And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the Lord, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation. 25Then Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place. (1 Samuel 26:17‑25)).
16 Hast thou found honey?
Eat so much as is sufficient for thee,
Lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
Throughout the Old Testament, honey seems to illustrate mere natural sweetness, hence it was forbidden to form part of the meat-offering which typified Christ in His perfect sinless humanity (see Lev. 2). He never sought solace in natural things, however pleasant or agreeable.
For us, they are permitted in their measure, but we need to beware of making them the chief object before our souls.
Wives and husbands need to watch lest their affection for each other, sweet and lovely as it is, crowds out the things of God. So with the various joys and pleasures of life. What is legitimate and wholly proper in its place, may prove very detrimental to all spiritual growth if it be permitted to become the supreme controlling power of the life. A little honey on the end of the pilgrim’s rod is desirable and helpful. Its abuse is another thing altogether. See Jonathan (1 Sam. 14:2727But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened. (1 Samuel 14:27)).
So too, from the very difficulties of the way, if met and overcome in the fear of God may honey be extracted; but to go about searching for it, is far different to receiving it thankfully, when found in the carcass of a lion slain in the power of faith. See Samson ( Judges 14:5-9, 145Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him. 6And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done. 7And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well. 8And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcase of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcase of the lion. 9And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat: but he told not them that he had taken the honey out of the carcase of the lion. (Judges 14:5‑9)
14And he said unto them, Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. And they could not in three days expound the riddle. (Judges 14:14)). Notice verse 27 below.
17 Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbor’s house;
Lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee.
The lesson is simple and important, but one which many of us are slow to learn. The heart of the proverb is expressed in one of our own, “Familiarity breeds contempt.” This is one form of the honey, a too free indulgence in which the verse above warns us. Even in the case of the best of friends it is well that there should be some delicacy as to continually visiting and intruding, for it is an easy thing to wear out one’s welcome. Few of us can stand minute, daily inspection without its being very much to our disadvantage. It frequently happens that they who were the best of friends become the bitterest enemies, because of neglect of so simple a Scripture as this.
More time spent in secret with God, and less spent in gadding about among men, would result in far greater profit to our souls and bring much more glory to our Lord Jesus Christ. Consider the error to which “the younger widows” were prone, and be warned thereby (1 Tim. 5:1313And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. (1 Timothy 5:13)).
18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor
Is a battle-hammer (or, war-club), and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
How little the slanderer considers the grief oft-times caused to the innocent objects of his vicious tongue! As war-like weapons, carrying pain and anguish in their wake, are the hateful and cruel words they recklessly utter, often destroying all peace of mind and arousing just indignation. On the other hand, it is well for the injured one to take all to the Lord Himself and leave it at His feet, accepting it as part of the discipline of the path. To remember that nothing can come to a believer but what divine love can use in blessing, is to rise triumphant above the tongue of slander and every other evil.
Nothing is harder for a wounded spirit and a sensitive soul than to endure uncomplainingly untrue accusations. Indignation against the false accuser, a determination to clear oneself at all costs, if possible; to avenge oneself on the evil-doer—how natural are all these things to the human heart! But to go on, serenely looking to God for grace to so live that all shall see the falsity of the charge; to commit the keeping of my reputation to Him who permitted the trial for my humbling; to own the righteousness of His ways as I reflect on the many occasions upon which I have dishonored His name, however innocent I may be now—these are healthful exercises indeed. Thus I am kept from taking things into my own hand, and can count upon God to act for me, as of old He did for Job, for David, for Daniel, and a host of others who had learned to commit all to Him whose love is unchanging, and who never permits a trial unless He discerns in the state of soul a “needs be” for the affliction which His government permits. See verse 23 below.
19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble
Is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather,
And as vinegar upon soda (natron),
So is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart.
The natron of the ancients is not the niter or saltpeter of our times, but was a native mineral soda of Palestine, which, when put in contact with an acid, would foam.
To take away a garment in cold weather would add to the person’s discomfort, arousing indignation, even as vinegar poured upon natron would effervesce. So one who sang light frivolous songs to him who was of a heavy heart, would only increase his distress and cause his anger to be stirred.
There is a time for all things. The merry-hearted love to sing; the sad and grief-stricken prefer loving sympathy. See Judah by the waters of Babylon (Ps. 137:1-4).
21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat;
And if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head,
And Jehovah shall reward thee.
These are the verses quoted, with the exception of the last clause, by the apostle Paul in Romans 12:2121Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21). He there takes them verbatim from the Septuagint.
It is certainly worthy of note that when a line of conduct suited to Christians, who have entered into the precious truths unfolded in Romans 3 to 8 inclusive, is in question, the Holy Ghost should quote from this portion of the Old Testament. This but bears out the remark made in the introduction that here we have the behavior which becomes the man of God basking in the full blaze of present truth.
Vengeance is to be far from the thoughts of the saint. He is to show grace and compassion even to his enemies, losing no opportunity to minister to their need. By so doing, the fire of love will soften their angry feelings, and the Lord’s reward will be upon the soul who thus imitates his Master, who said, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matt. 5:4444But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Matthew 5:44)). It would be the greatest incongruity for one who was himself the object of grace to attempt to deal in judgment with those who had wronged him. See Stephen (Acts 7:6060And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:60)).
23 The north wind driveth away rain:
So doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
The receiver of stolen goods is as guilty as the thief. So is it with the one who gives encouragement to another to relate scandalous stories. Nothing is more conducive to strife and sorrow among the people of God than the repeating of matters that cannot profit, and that bring pain to the one of whom they are related. But there is no surer way to encourage the backbiter than by giving ear to his tales. If met by “an angry countenance,” and reproved in the fear of God, the mischief might often be nipped in the bud.
When people come with unsavory tales about absent persons it would be well to meet them in the spirit that David manifested towards Rechab and Baanah, for such people are character-assassins (2 Sam. 4:5-125And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ish-bosheth, who lay on a bed at noon. 6And they came thither into the midst of the house, as though they would have fetched wheat; and they smote him under the fifth rib: and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped. 7For when they came into the house, he lay on his bed in his bedchamber, and they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and gat them away through the plain all night. 8And they brought the head of Ish-bosheth unto David to Hebron, and said to the king, Behold the head of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul thine enemy, which sought thy life; and the Lord hath avenged my lord the king this day of Saul, and of his seed. 9And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said unto them, As the Lord liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity, 10When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings: 11How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth? 12And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-bosheth, and buried it in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron. (2 Samuel 4:5‑12)).
24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop,
Than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul,
So is good news from a far country.
The glorious gospel of the blessed God is, above all else, that good news from a far country, which is to the thirsty soul like a draft of clear sparkling water from a cold spring. When, weary, famished, and ready to perish, the poor sinner quaffs the living water, it becomes in his inmost being a fountain springing up unto everlasting life. See the woman of Samaria (John 4:6-296Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. 7There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. 8(For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) 9Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. 10Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. 11The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? 12Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? 13Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. 15The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. 16Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. 17The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: 18For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly. 19The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. 20Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. 21Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. 25The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. 26Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. 27And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her? 28The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, 29Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? (John 4:6‑29)).
26 A troubled fountain, and a defiled well,
Is a righteous man giving way before the lawless.
To the thirsty traveler a troubled fountain or an evil spring defiled with filth and impurities is a cause for grief and vexation. So will a godly and upright man be disappointed and pained to behold a righteous person set at naught, or oppressed by those who have no principle and who refuse to subject themselves to law, either divine or human. See Gedaliah and Ishmael (Jer. 41:1-31Now it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, and the princes of the king, even ten men with him, came unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and there they did eat bread together in Mizpah. 2Then arose Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and the ten men that were with him, and smote Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan with the sword, and slew him, whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land. 3Ishmael also slew all the Jews that were with him, even with Gedaliah, at Mizpah, and the Chaldeans that were found there, and the men of war. (Jeremiah 41:1‑3)).
27 It is not good to eat much honey;
So to search after one’s own glory is wearisome.
See note on verse 16 above. The immoderate use of honey is pernicious. Much more so is inordinate ambition. He who lives but to glorify himself, will be wearied in the search after vanity. Of this the entire book of Ecclesiastes is witness. Also see God’s message to Baruch the son of Neriah ( Jer. 45:6).
28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit
Is like a city that is broken down and without walls.
See note on Proverbs 16:3232He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. (Proverbs 16:32). Self-control is ever important. This is the temperance of the New Testament. Paul made it his object to keep his body under, that thus he might make manifest the fact that he was not a reprobate or castaway (1 Cor. 9:26, 2726I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. (1 Corinthians 9:26‑27)). Lack of this control of himself sadly dishonored Noah, and that shortly after world-government had been committed to him (Gen. 9:20, 2120And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard: 21And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent. (Genesis 9:20‑21)). Moses, too, of all men the meekest, failed in self-government when angered at Meribah (Num. 20). May we have grace given to hold our spirits in godly subjection, that thus we become not like a city exposed to the ready assaults of its enemies! Even when one is clearly in the right, nothing so prejudices his case as losing control of his temper, and uttering heated, hasty words. Others are prone to forget the minor points of the evidence at such a time, and to judge by the spirit manifested. Therefore the importance of exemplifying in our words and ways “the meekness and gentleness of Christ.”