Proverbs 16:12

16:12. The ruler that uses his power aright, will find that to be his best security. 13. Put those in power who know how to speak to the purpose. 14,15. Those are fools, who, to obtain the favour of an earthly prince, throw themselves out of God's favour. 16. There is joy and satisfaction of spirit, only in getting wisdom. 17. A sincerely religious man keeps at a distance from every appearance of evil. Happy is the man that walks in Christ, and is led by the Spirit of Christ. 18. When men defy God's judgments, and think themselves far from them, it is a sign they are at the door. Let us not fear the pride of others, but fear pride in ourselves. 19. Humility, though it exposes to contempt in the world, is much better than high-spiritedness, which makes God an enemy. He that understands God's word shall find good. 21. The man whose wisdom dwells in his heart, will be found more truly prudent than many who possess shining talents. 22. As waters to a thirsty land, so is a wise man to his friends and neighbours. 23. The wise man's self-knowledge, always suggests something proper to be spoken to others. 24. The word of God cures the diseases that weaken our souls. 25. This is caution to all, to take heed of deceiving themselves as to their souls. 26. We must labour for the meat which endureth to everlasting life, or we must perish.

It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness,.... The Targum is, "the abomination of kings are they that work wickedness.'' It should be an abomination to kings to commit wickedness themselves, and those that do it should be abhorred by them, or they should show their resentment at it by removing them from their presence, or by punishing them: and though there have been such kings as David, Psalm 101:4; yet there are but few such; this is not true of kings in common; and therefore rather expresses what they should be than what they are; but is perfectly applicable to Christ, who loves righteousness and hates iniquity, Psalm 45:7; for the throne is established by righteousness; this is the support, strength, and security of every kingdom, and of the thrones of kings; and it is with judgment and righteousness that the throne of Christ is established; yea, justice and judgment are the habitation of his throne, Isaiah 9:7.

Proverbs 16:12 . It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness — They should not only abstain from all wicked practices, but abhor them, both in their own persons, and in all their servants and subjects. It is too plain that he speaks not of the common practice, but of the duty of kings, as in Proverbs 16:10 . A good king not only does justice, but it is an abomination to him to do otherwise: he hates the thought of doing wrong, and perverting justice: he not only abhors the wickedness done by others, but abhors to do any himself, though, having power, he might easily and safely do it. For the throne is established by righteousness — He that makes conscience of using his power aright, shall find that to be the best security of his government; both as it will oblige people, and keep them true to his interests, and as it will bring down upon him and his government the blessing of God, which will be a firm basis to his throne, and a strong guard about it.

(12) It is an abomination to kings . . . .—This and the following verse are, like Proverbs 16:10 , descriptive of the ideal king who, above all things, loves truth and justice. Psalms 72 works out the thought more fully. How feebly the character was fulfilled by Solomon or the best of his successors the history of Israel shews. It was too high a conception for man to carry out, and was fulfilled only in the person of David’s Son, who is “King of kings, and Lord of lords” ( Revelation 19:16 ).

It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; they should not only abstain from all wicked practices, but abhor them both in their own persons, and in all their servants and subjects. It is too plain that he speaks not of the common practice, but of the duty of kings, as on Proverbs 16:10 . And such affirmative expressions are oft used in Scripture to express men’s duty only, as 1 Corinthians 6:19 , your body is (i.e. should be) the temple , &c.; and 1 Corinthians 7:32 , careth , &c. i.e. ought to care. The throne is established by righteousness; and (which is implied) weakened, and sometimes overthrown by unrighteousness; and therefore this is necessary for their own security and happiness.

Verse 12. - It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness. This and the following verse give the ideal view of the monarch - that which he ought to be rather than what be is (comp. Psalm 72 .). Certainly neither Solomon nor many of his successors exhibited this high character. The Septuagint, followed by some modern commentators, translates, "He who doeth wickedness is an abomination to kings;" but as the "righteousness" in the second clause ( the throne is established by righteousness ) undoubtedly refers to the king, so it is more natural to take the "wickedness" in the first member as being his own, not his subjects'. When a ruler acts justly and wisely, punishes the unruly, rewards the virtuous, acts as God's vicegerent, and himself sets the example of the character which becomes so high a position, he wins the affection of his people, they willingly obey him. and are ready to die for him and his family (comp. Proverbs 25:5 ; Isaiah 16:5 ). Lawmakers should not be law breakers. Seneca, 'Thyest.,' 215 - "Ubi non est pudor,Nec cura juris, sanctitas, pietas, fides,Instabile regnum est." Proverbs 16:12

12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness, For by righteousness the throne is established. As 10b uttered a warning to the king, grounded on the fact of 10a, so 12a indirectly contains a warning, which is confirmed by the fact 12b. It is a fact that the throne is established by righteousness (יכּון as expressive of a rule, like הוּכן, Isaiah 16:5, as expressive of an event); on this account it is an abomination to kings immediately or mediately to commit wickedness, i.e., to place themselves in despotic self-will above the law. Such wicked conduct shall be, and ought to be, an abhorrence to them, because they know that they thereby endanger the stability of their throne. This is generally the case, but especially was it so in Israel, where the royal power was never absolutistic; where the king as well as the people were placed under God's law; where the existence of the community was based on the understood equality of right; and the word of the people, as well as the word of the prophets, was free. Another condition of the stability of the throne is, after Proverbs 25:5, the removal of godless men from nearness to the king. Rehoboam lost the greater part of his kingdom by this, that he listened to the counsel of the young men who were hated by the people.

Verse 11 All the weights of the bag are his - Alluding, probably, to the standard weights laid up in a bag in the sanctuary, and to which all weights in common use in the land were to be referred, in order to ascertain whether they were just: but some think the allusion is to the weights carried about by merchants in their girdles, by which they weigh the money, silver and gold, that they take in exchange for their merchandise. As the Chinese take no coin but gold and silver by weight, they carry about with them a sort of small steelyard, by which they weigh those metals taken in exchange. PROVERBS 16: 12 It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness. Verse 12 It is an abomination to kings, etc. - In all these verses the wise man refers to monarchical government rightly administered. And the proverbs on this subject are all plain. PROVERBS 16: 13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth. PROVERBS 16: 14 The king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it. PROVERBS 16: 15 In the light of the king’s face is life. His favour is like a cloud of the spring rain. PROVERBS 16: 16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. Verse 16 How much better - to get wisdom than gold? - Who believes this, though spoken by the wisest of men, under Divine inspiration? PROVERBS 16: 17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil

for himself —"for its answer," or "purpose," that is, according to God's plan; the wicked are for the day of evil (Psalms 49:5; Jeremiah 17:18); sinning and suffering answer to each other, are indissolubly united. 5. (Compare Proverbs 3:32). 6. By mercy and truth —that is, God's (Psalms 85:10); He effects the atonement, or covering of sin; and the principles of true piety incline men to depart from evil; or, "mercy" and "truth" may be man's, indicative of the gracious tempers which work instrumentally in procuring pardon. purged —expiated (as in Leviticus 16:33; Isaiah 27:9, Hebrew ). 7. Persecutions, of course, excepted. 8. (Compare Proverbs 15:6, 16, 17). 9. (Compare Proverbs 16:3). directeth —establisheth. 10. The last clause depends on the first, expressing the importance of equity in decisions, so authoritative. 11. are the Lord's … his work —that is, what He has ordered, and hence should be observed by men. 12. Rulers are rightly expected, by their position, to hate evil; for their power is sustained by righteousness. 13. A specification of the general sentiment of Proverbs 16:12. ## 14. This wrath, so terrible and certain, like messengers of death (1 Kings 2:25), can be appeased by the wise. 15. light of … countenance —favor (Psalms 4:6). life —preserves it, or gives blessings which make it valuable. the latter rain —fell just before harvest and matured the crop; hence specially valuable (Deuteronomy 11:14). 16. (Compare Proverbs 3:16; 4:5). 17.