Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Adult Sunday School Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/bb/bb20121021.htm

THRU THE BIBLE EXPOSITION
Proverbs: Motivating Teens And Adults To Align With God's Fixed Moral Order
Part V: Proverbs Of Solomon Collected By Hezekiah's Scribes, Proverbs 25:1-29:27
A. Studying Proverbs 25:1-11
  1. Introduction
    1. Two hundred and fifty years after Solomon, king Hezekiah's scribes copied more of Solomon's proverbs from separate work(s), the proverbs in Proverbs 25:1-29:27. (Bible Know. Com., O. T., p. 960)
    2. We view some of these collected proverbs of Solomon in Proverbs 25:1-11 as follows:
  2. Studying Proverbs 25:1-11.
    1. Proverbs 25:1 prefaces the section, stating, "These also are Solomon's proverbs that the noblemen (ish, Kittel, Bib. Heb., p. 1185; R. B. Girdlestone, Syn. of the O. T., 1973, p. 45-50) of Hezekiah, king of Judah removed from one book to another [copied]." (ateq, B. D. B., A Heb.-Eng. Lex. of the O. T., p. 801).
    2. Proverbs 25:2 teaches it is the honor (cabod, Ibid., p. 458-459) of God to conceal (satar, Ibid., p. 711; Hiphil = causative) a matter (dabar, Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 180-184), but it is the honor (cabod again) of kings to search out, investigate (haqar, Ibid., p. 350) a matter (dabar again). An overseer must investigate to determine the facts before making decisions if he would gain honor in his oversight.
    3. Proverbs 25:3 claims as the heavens for height (rum, Ibid., p. 927) and the earth for depth (omeq, Ibid., p. 771), so the heart of kings is not (ayin , Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 34-35) investigated (heqer, Ibid., p. 350 [the noun]) [unsearchable]. Always respect an overseer's knowledge as he must keep confidences, and he likely is holding back expressing some of his knowledge to govern peaceably and righteously.
    4. Proverbs 25:4-5 teaches (4) a removing (hagah, Ibid., p. 212; infin. abs.) of dross (sig, Ibid., p. 691) from silver, and out comes (yasa', Ibid., p. 422-425) a utensil, vessel (keli, Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 479-480) for the refiner (sarap, Ibid., p. 864); (5) a removing (hagah , cf. Pr. 25:4) of the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be firmly established (kun, Ibid., p. 465-467; Niphal = passive).
    5. Proverbs 25:6-7 asserts (6) do not honor yourself (hadar, Ibid., p. 213-214; Hithpael = reflexive intensive) in the presence of the king, and do not take your stand (amad , Ibid., Kittel, p. 1186; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 763-765) in the standing-place, station (maqom, Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 879-880) of the great (gadol , Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 152-153), (7) because it is more wholesome (tob, Ibid., Kittel, p. 1186 and 2 in citing Gen. 1:31 re: God's wholesome (tob ) universe) that it be told to you (amar; Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 55-57), "Come up (alah, Ibid., Kittel, p. 1186; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 748-750) here!" (henah, Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 244) than for you to be abased, humiliated (shapel, Ibid., p. 1050; Hiphil = causative; infinitive construct) in the presence of a nobleman (nadib, Ibid., p. 622).
    6. Proverbs 25:8 claims what you have seen with your eyes, do not hastily (maher, Ibid., p. 555) bring forth (yasa', Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 422-425) to a law case [in court] ( rib, Ibid., p. 936-937), lest (pen, Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 814-815), what will you do in the end (aharit, Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 31) when your neighbor puts you to shame (kalam, Ibid., p. 483-484; Hiphil = causative). Go slow in taking a case to court before a judge as your error might be exposed to your shame and consequent harm.
    7. Proverbs 25:9-10 teaches (9) argue (rib, Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 936, the verb) your case, dispute (rib, Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 936-937, the noun) with your neighbor, but do not disclose, uncover (galah, Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 162-163) [secret] council (sod, Ibid., p. 691) of another man (aher, Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 29), (10) lest ( pen, cf. Pr. 25:8) he who hears [it] expose you to shame (hasad, Ibid., p. 340) [by tattling on your disclosure], and your bad reputation (dibah, Ibid., p. 179) not turn back [be restored] (shub, Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 996-1000). If we must go to court, we should go slow on testifying of matters held in confidence, for doing so can backfire badly to our harm.
    8. Proverbs 25:11 asserts a word spoken (dabar, Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 180-182; Pual = pass. intens.) fittingly (lit., "in its turning," open, Ibid., p. 67) is like apples (tapuha, Ibid., p. 656) of gold in sculptured figures (maskit, Ibid., p. 967; Ryrie Study Bible, KJV, 1978, ftn. to Pr. 25:11) of silver. Even a rebuke, if given at the appropriate time and in a fitting manner, works to appeal to the hearer much like apples of gold set in a sculptured figurine of silver appeal to the eye.
Lesson Application: May we align with God's fixed moral order in each of these realms for blessing.