1. What king had Solomon’s proverbs copied?
King Hezekiah of Judah: “These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out” (Proverbs 25:1).
Solomon authored many proverbs and songs (I Kings 4:30-32).
Hezekiah was a good king (II Kings 18:1-8) with the exception of his faith in man over God [Egypt] (II Kings 18:21 and Isaiah 36:4-6; cf. Proverbs 25:19, Isaiah 30:1-7, and Isaiah 31:3).
We know for sure that the prophets at the time of Hezekiah were Isaiah (Isaiah 1:1), Hosea (Hosea 1:1), and Micah (Jeremiah 26:18 and Micah 1:1).
Scribes were used to copy inspired writings (Jeremiah 36:32).
Any wise king would want to have Solomon’s proverbs on hand (I Kings 4:29-30, I Kings 4:34, I Kings 5:7, and I Kings 10:23-24).
Too bad the same interest is not in the words of the KING (Matthew 12:42).
2. While kings should search out matters, does God reveal everything?
No: “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter” (Proverbs 25:2).
God does not reveal everything to us (Deuteronomy 29:29, Job 5:8-9, Job 11:7-9, Psalms 40:5, Psalms 139:4-6, Isaiah 55:8-9, John 20:30-31, John 21:24-25, and Romans 11:31-34).
What God has revealed is what we need to know (II Peter 1:3-4). He has fully equipped us so that we can do every good work (II Timothy 3:15-17).
Kings want to search things out (Ezra 4:12-19 and Ezra 6:1).
3. While kings may search out matters, is it easy to know what is in a king’s heart?
No: “The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable” (Proverbs 25:3).
What a king can hide from man he cannot hide from God (Daniel 2:27-28).
4. What should be done to silver to make it a fitting vessel for the refiner?
Take away the dirt: “Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer” (Proverbs 25:4).
Silver has to be purified (Psalms 12:6, Proverbs 17:3, and Malachi 3:3).
5. Just as silver needs purified, what needs to be removed from before the king so that his throne can be established in righteousness?
The wicked need removed: “Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness” (Proverbs 25:5).
Righteous kings should scatter wickedness (Proverbs 20:8).
Wickedness spreads (Proverbs 13:20, I Corinthians 5:6, and I Corinthians 15:33).
The king needs mercy and truth to preserve his throne (Proverbs 20:28 and Proverbs 29:14).
6. Should we seek to thrust ourselves into the presence of leaders where men of power stand?
No: “Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men” (Proverbs 25:6).
We should recognize our place (I Samuel 18:18 and Proverbs 16:19).
We shouldn’t seek out the “chief seats” (Matthew 23:1-6).
We should not “toot our own horns” (Proverbs 25:27 and Proverbs 27:2).
We shouldn’t make ourselves of the number (II Corinthians 10:12), but seek commendation of the Lord (II Corinthians 10:18).
7. Should we wait to be invited into the presence of leaders rather than exalting ourselves into their presence?
Yes: “For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen” (Proverbs 25:7).
One cannot make the point any better than Jesus did: Luke 14:7-11
You don’t want to exalt yourself (Luke 18:9-14) so that you end up being humbled (Isaiah 2:11).
Humility and true honor go hand in hand (Proverbs 29:23).
8. Knowing that we should not be people of strife to begin with (Romans 13:13, Galatians 5:19-21, and Philippians 2:3), should we go forth hastily to strive?
No: “Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame” (Proverbs 25:8).
Strife is not easily ceased once you start it (Proverbs 17:14).
Fools want to start “fights” (Proverbs 18:6).
Think these things through (Luke 14:31-32).
Jesus advises us to end these things quickly lest we lose in the end (Matthew 5:25-26 and Luke 12:58-59).