1. Should a king find delight in committing wickedness?
No: “It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness” (Proverbs 16:12).
Proverbs 20:28, Proverbs 25:5, and Proverbs 29:14.
2. What kind of speech do righteous kings love?
“Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right” (Proverbs 16:13).
Proverbs 14:35 and Proverbs 22:11.
3. Does a wise man seek to cause the king to be angry with him?
No: “The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it” (Proverbs 16:14).
Proverbs 19:12, Proverbs 20:2, Ecclesiastes 8:4, and Daniel 5:18-19.
Christians are told to honor the king (I Peter 2:17).
4. If one found his or her self in the favor of the king, was that a good thing?
Yes, like the cloud of the latter rain [spring rain]: “In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain” (Proverbs 16:15).
The latter rain is the spring rain (cf. Job 29:23-24 and Zechariah 10:1).
5. How valuable are wisdom and understanding?
More than gold and silver: “How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver” (Proverbs 16:16)!
Proverbs 4:7, Proverbs 8:10-11, and Ecclesiastes 7:12.
Earthly treasures cannot save anyone (Psalms 49:6-10, Matthew 16:26, Luke 12:13-21, and Revelation 3:17-19).
Wisdom saves (Proverbs 24:14 and Isaiah 33:6).
We’ll take more about understanding in question 11 (verse 22).
6. What is the highway of the upright?
Departing from evil: “The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul” (Proverbs 16:17).
Job 28:28, Psalms 34:13-15, Proverbs 4:24-27, II Corinthians 7:1, and II Timothy 2:19.
7. Is it better to be humble or to be proud and haughty?
We’d better be humble: “(18) Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. (19) Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud” (Proverbs 16:18-19).
Pride doesn’t help anyone (Proverbs 11:12, Proverbs 15:25, Proverbs 16:5, Proverbs 21:4, Proverbs 29:23, I Peter 5:5, and I John 2:16-17).
A haughty spirit is not good either (II Samuel 22:28, Proverbs 18:12, and Isaiah 2:11-12).
The Lord has respect unto the lowly (Psalms 138:6 and Isaiah 57:15).
The humble are exalted while the exalted will be abased (Matthew 23:12 and Luke 18:9-14).
8. How do you have to handle a matter to find good?
“He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good…” (Proverbs 16:20).
Proverbs 24:3-5
9. In whom should you trust to find happiness?
“…and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he” (Proverbs 16:20).
Psalms 64:10 and Psalms 146:5.
10. What kind of heart must one have to be called prudent [Strong’s #995; “one of understanding; perceptive”]?
“The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning” (Proverbs 16:21).
Proverbs 10:8, Proverbs 16:23, Proverbs 18:15, and Ecclesiastes 8:5.
11. Would you rather be one of understanding or one who hears the instruction of fools?
One of understanding, for such brings life: “Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly” (Proverbs 16:22).
Understanding is required for salvation (Matthew 13:19 and Ephesians 5:17).
Listening to a fool (cf. Ecclesiastes 7:5) causes you to fall (Matthew 15:14).