Proverbs 18:14-24

Proverbs 18:14-24

One is apt to wonder if Solomon was a lonely man. Beyond all the regal trappings, the multitude of officials and courtiers was he emotionally isolated? Some of his sayings seem to speak wistfully of good times and experiences as if they were observed but not experienced. Then there are the sad realities that he may have had to carry.

Verse 14 reminds us of ‘the facts of four.' A man can go 40 days without food, four days without water, and 4 minutes without air but will not last four seconds without hope.

We tend to think of verse 16 from the perspective of the lesser man bringing the gift. But what about the greater man who receives the gift? Did Solomon ever want to be approached by someone who didn't come to him with a gift or a bribe and an agenda?

Verse 17 is fundamental to all matters legal. But beyond the legal system, it ought to be part of our daily discernment. As a judge, Solomon would have seen the claims and cases of a plaintiff fall apart under cross-examination. The context of verses 18-19 is interesting. The second part of the proverb is typically translated “and decides between the mighty” or “keeps strong opponents apart." The word "decide" literally means "divide." There is more than a judicial rendering, but an end of a connection. Perhaps two parties that were once friends from now on are never going to speak to each other. This gives us a fuller meaning to verse 19. The word ‘offended’ in the first line can be translated as ‘rebellion’ or 'rebel.' The picture here is not a difference of minor opinion or even a heated argument; this is a picture of warfare. The contention has advanced to the point of open warfare. The harsh words are like iron bars on a castle; they can be removed, but the building must be torn down. Verse 24 seems to be forlorn and may have been Solomon's self-reflection. How does a man of many friends come to destruction (NASB)?  Maybe because his standard for friendship was too low. His friends didn't share what mattered most to Solomon. But there is a friend, literally a lover, who is closer than a brother. Was Jonathan on Solomon's mind, or perhaps Jesus?

“Lord, never allow me to lose my commitment to having quality people in my life. AMEN”