A.M. 3304. B.C. 700.
Here begins what Bishop Patrick and others have termed The third part of the book of Proverbs, being a collection made after the preceding, by persons belonging to Hezekiah, and probably appointed by him. Who these persons were we are not informed. Some have supposed that the prophets who lived in his time, Isaiah, Hosea, and Micah, or one or two of them, were employed in this work; or some who were trained up in the schools of the prophets. Others have thought some of the priests or Levites performed it, especially as we find Hezekiah giving a charge to them concerning divine things, 2 Chronicles 29:4. The Jews think some of his ministers of state, who were more properly called his servants, were chiefly concerned in it, and Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah have been named as the persons most probably employed. Be this as it may, the proverbs are acknowledged to be Solomon's, and no doubt with very many others (for he spake three thousand, 1Ki 4:32) had been preserved by his successors in a book, out of which some wise and pious men selected such as they thought would be most useful for the people. And besides those contained in the foregoing Chapter s, which had been compiled either in Solomon's days or soon after, these which now follow were judged proper to be added by way of appendix in the days of Hezekiah: who, restoring the service of God, in the temple, to its purity and splendour, took care, in all likelihood, for the better instruction of the people in piety and virtue, and in every thing which might be profitable for them; and therefore ordered this selection of Solomon's wise observations and counsels to be published and circulated among them. We have in this chapter, Observations about kings, Proverbs 25:1-7. A caution against contentions, Proverbs 25:8. Against revealing of secrets, and the reason of it, Proverbs 25:9; Proverbs 25:10. Of the utility of reproof, and the right way of receiving it, Proverbs 25:11; Proverbs 25:12. Of faithful messengers and vain boasters, Proverbs 25:13; Proverbs 25:14. Of forbearance, temperance, and prudence, Proverbs 25:15-17. Of false witnesses, unfaithful friends, and unseasonable mirth, Proverbs 25:18-20. Of kindness to enemies, discountenancing backbiters, and discord in families, Proverbs 25:21-24. Of the righteous falling before the wicked, vain- glory, and an ungoverned temper, Proverbs 25:25-28.