26. From troubled fountains and corrupt springs no healthy water is to be had, so when the righteous are oppressed by the wicked, their power for good is lessened or destroyed. read more
V. COLLECTION 5: SOLOMON’S MAXIMS EXPRESSING WISDOM CHS. 25-29We return now to consider more proverbs of Solomon (cf. Proverbs 1:1 to Proverbs 22:16). Chapters 25-26 contain proverbs that are mainly comparisons. The key words in these chapters are "like . . . so." Chapter 27 is a mixture of comparative and antithetical proverbs. Chapters 28-29 contain maxims that are mainly contrasts marked by the word "but." In all these chapters there are mostly couplets but also some longer proverbs. I... read more
1. Wise and foolish conduct 25:2-28 read more
Courts. Quarrels1-7. relate to kings and courts.1. By the men of Hezekiah the author of this v. doubtless means literary men at the king’s court. These, he says, transcribed the following proverbs from some other collection or collections. It will be noticed that many of them have appeared earlier in the book.2. The works of God in history and nature are beyond us (Deuteronomy 29:29; Job 11:7; Job 15:8; Isaiah 45:15; Romans 11:33). A king should be conversant with all that is going on (1 Kings... read more
(26) A righteous man falling down before the wicked . . .—The mouth of the righteous was described (Proverbs 10:11) as a “well of life,” from the comfort and refreshment it brings to the weary- through the just and kindly counsel it offers. But if the righteous man yields to the pressure put upon him by the wicked, and through fear or favour gives up his principles, then he can no longer give forth counsel out of a pure heart; he becomes like a fountain which has been fouled by the feet of... read more
CHAPTER 26THE KING"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 the 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 presence of great men: Far better is it that... read more
IV. THE PROVERBS OF SOLOMON COLLECTED BY THE MEN OF HEZEKIAH CHAPTER 25 Here begin the proverbs which the good king Hezekiah, under the guidance of the Spirit of God, added to this book. “This title is interesting as affording a proof that a revival of literary activity accompanied the revival of religion and of national prosperity which marked the reign of Hezekiah. The men of Hezekiah were doubtless a body of scribes engaged under the direction of the king in literary labors.” Very... read more
In This CHAPTER, forming the first section, necessarily affirms the basic principles of true unity, which is absolutely essential to recovery. For departure is the very breeding-ground of division, - divisions which have so rent the testimony of God and bear witness to our own shame. Today multitudes see the wrong of this, and many clamor for that unity which would bring all together again. But there is no unity without a solid foundation. Mere union of those still apart in heart is... read more
This division of the book is introduced in the first verse of chapter 25, as the “proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, copied out.” What these words mean it is difficult to say, except in the general sense that the teachers of Hezekiah’s period selected and gathered together wise sayings that had been written, or handed down orally in previous generations. They may have been those of Solomon only, and yet his name may be attached to them simply because they were now... read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 25:26
Proverbs 25:26. And a corrupt spring— See the note on 2 Chronicles 32:4. Besides the methods of stopping up wells and breaking down cisterns there mentioned, the eastern people sometimes practised another way to deprive their enemies of the use of their waters; namely, by throwing into them such filth as rendered them not drinkable. This was done in particular by the people of a place called Bosseret. Accident also has sometimes, after much the same manner, made them unfit for drinking: so, in... read more