Thy Strong Word — Proverbs 16:10-24: Kingly Character

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Solomon now turns to the monarchy and bestows wisdom about leadership, behavior, and speech. He advises kings to be just in their judgments and mindful of their words’ impact. The passage warns against pride, urging humility, and actions that align with righteousness. These proverbs emphasize the importance of gracious and thoughtful speech, likening wise words to honey that brings sweetness to the soul and healing to the body.

The Rev. Ben Dose, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Arcadia, IA, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Proverbs 16:10-24.

Step into the spiritually rich landscape of the Book of Proverbs, a text divinely inspired and attributed to Solomon, the sage king endowed by God with unsurpassed wisdom. This ancient scripture begins with heartfelt lessons from a father to a son, laying a foundation of moral and ethical guidance before unfolding into a collection of timeless proverbs. It uniquely personifies wisdom and folly as two paths that stand before humanity, offering a choice between a life filled with virtue, fear of the Lord, and understanding, and one marred by shortsighted pleasures and foolishness. Proverbs serves as a compass for those seeking to walk in righteousness, offering insights that resonate deeply with the human experience, guiding us toward a life of purpose and discernment according to God’s will.

Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.

Thy Strong Word is graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation. Through the mission gifts of people like you, LHF translates, publishes, distributes and introduces books that are Bible-based, Christ-centered and Reformation-driven. Learn more at lhfmissions.org.

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Proverbs 16:10-24

¹⁰ An oracle is on the lips of a king;
his mouth does not sin in judgment.
¹¹ A just balance and scales are the Lord‘s;
all the weights in the bag are his work.
¹² It is an abomination to kings to do evil,
for the throne is established by righteousness.
¹³ Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
and he loves him who speaks what is right.
¹⁴ A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
and a wise man will appease it.
¹⁵ In the light of a king’s face there is life,
and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.
¹⁶ How much better to get wisdom than gold!
To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
¹⁷ The highway of the upright turns aside from evil;
whoever guards his way preserves his life.
¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
¹⁹ It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor
than to divide the spoil with the proud.
²⁰ Whoever gives thought to the word^[a] will discover good,
and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.
²¹ The wise of heart is called discerning,
and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
²² Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it,
but the instruction of fools is folly.
²³ The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
²⁴ Gracious words are like a honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

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Footnotes

1. Proverbs 16:20 Or to a matter

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. esv.org