If Your Enemy is Hungry, Give Him Bread to Eat

Interesting that the chapter's first verse is a note that the proverbs was copied down by King Hezekiah's men from the original proverbs by Solomon. The first part of this chapter has instructions of how deal behave in the presence of a king, no doubt also with King Jesus in mind.

Here are a few verses which is so practical and direct advice, but may also have a deeper meaning:
16 Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, Lest you be filled with it and vomit.
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, Lest he become weary of you and hate you.
24 It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

A few notes for myself to remember:
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the Lord will reward you.
27 It is not good to eat much honey; So to seek one’s own glory is not glory.
28 Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls.


Not much other comments - just read the verses and absorb them.....


Proverbs 25
Further Wise Sayings of Solomon

1 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:

2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

3 As the heavens for height and the earth for depth,
So the heart of kings is unsearchable.

4 Take away the dross from silver,
And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry.

5 Take away the wicked from before the king,
And his throne will be established in righteousness.

6 Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king,
And do not stand in the place of the great;

7 For it is better that he say to you,
“Come up here,”
Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince,
Whom your eyes have seen.

8 Do not go hastily to court;
For what will you do in the end,
When your neighbor has put you to shame?

9 Debate your case with your neighbor,
And do not disclose the secret to another;

10 Lest he who hears it expose your shame,
And your reputation be ruined.

11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold
In settings of silver.

12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold
Is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear.

13 Like the cold of snow in time of harvest
Is a faithful messenger to those who send him,
For he refreshes the soul of his masters.

14 Whoever falsely boasts of giving
Is like clouds and wind without rain.

15 By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded,
And a gentle tongue breaks a bone.

16 Have you found honey?
Eat only as much as you need,
Lest you be filled with it and vomit.

17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house,
Lest he become weary of you and hate you.

18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor
Is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.

19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble
Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint.

20 Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather,
And like vinegar on soda,
Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat;
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;

22 For so you will heap coals of fire on his head,
And the Lord will reward you.

23 The north wind brings forth rain,
And a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.

24 It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,
Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

25 As cold water to a weary soul,
So is good news from a far country.

26 A righteous man who falters before the wicked
Is like a murky spring and a polluted well.

27 It is not good to eat much honey;
So to seek one’s own glory is not glory.

28 Whoever has no rule over his own spirit
Is like a city broken down, without walls.

He Who Loves Pleasure Will Be A Poor Man

The sayings cover over broad topics. Here, three topics are chosen with their verses extracted. The first deals with God's sovereignty in which ultimately, it is God who has everything under His control. The second teaches about the difficulty in living with certain women. While the third topic emphasises strongly against being lazy.

The Lord's Sovereignty

1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts.

Difficult Wife

9 Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

19 Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman.

Laziness

5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.

17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

25 The desire of the lazy man kills him, For his hands refuse to labor.

Proverbs 21

1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord,

Like the rivers of water;

He turns it wherever He wishes.

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,

But the Lord weighs the hearts.

3 To do righteousness and justice

Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

4 A haughty look, a proud heart,

And the plowing[a] of the wicked are sin.

5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,

But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.

6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue

Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.[b]

7 The violence of the wicked will destroy them,[c]

Because they refuse to do justice.

8 The way of a guilty man is perverse;[d]

But as for the pure, his work is right.

9 Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,

Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

10 The soul of the wicked desires evil;

His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise;

But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

12 The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked,

Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.

13 Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor

Will also cry himself and not be heard.

14 A gift in secret pacifies anger,

And a bribe behind the back,[e] strong wrath.

15 It is a joy for the just to do justice,

But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.

16 A man who wanders from the way of understanding

Will rest in the assembly of the dead.

17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man;

He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous,

And the unfaithful for the upright.

19 Better to dwell in the wilderness,

Than with a contentious and angry woman.

20 There is desirable treasure,

And oil in the dwelling of the wise,

But a foolish man squanders it.

21 He who follows righteousness and mercy

Finds life, righteousness, and honor.

22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty,

And brings down the trusted stronghold.

23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue

Keeps his soul from troubles.

24 A proud and haughty man— “Scoffer” is his name;

He acts with arrogant pride.

25 The desire of the lazy man kills him,

For his hands refuse to labor.

26 He covets greedily all day long,

But the righteous gives and does not spare.

27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;

How much more when he brings it with wicked intent!

28 A false witness shall perish,

But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.

29 A wicked man hardens his face,

But as for the upright, he establishes[f] his way.

30 There is no wisdom or understanding

Or counsel against the Lord.

31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle,

But deliverance is of the Lord.