Proverbs 16:13-15 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Righteous lips are the delight of kings All wise and good kings do, and all kings should, delight in employing such counsellors, judges, and officers, under them, as are just and faithful in their counsels, sentences, and actions; because such bring great honour and advantage to them. The wrath of a king is as messengers of death It strikes as great terror into those with whom he is offended, as if the sentence of death were pronounced against them, and officers were sent to execute it; but a wise man will pacify it Will use all prudent and lawful means so to do. In the light of the king's countenance is life His reconciled and smiling countenance is most sweet and refreshing, especially to such as are under a sentence of death; and his favour as a cloud of the latter rain As acceptable as those clouds that bring the latter rain, whereby the fruits are filled and ripened, a little before the harvest.