CRITICAL NOTES.—
Proverbs 14:35. Miller reads, “The kindness of a king is a wise servant, but his wrath becomes one that bringeth shame” (See his comments).
MAIN HOMILETICS ON Proverbs 14:35
A WISE SERVANT
In this verse we adopt Miller’s translation as being the more probable meaning. See Critical Notes and also his Comment.
I. The law of kindness is a law of power. Whether a man be the ruler of a nation or the ruler of a family, if he would acquire real power over those whom he rules, he must obey this law himself. Human nature is in a fallen condition, and it cannot be lifted into a state of obedience even to wise and good laws except they are enforced in a spirit of kindness. Kindness will bind men to loyal devotion with a far firmer chain than any force. There is, indeed, no principle in obedience to the latter; it rules only the bodily actions, and is powerless over the heart. Those who desire more than the service of half the man must issue their commands—must exercise their authority—in the spirit of mercy. The king, the master or the father, who is a despot, is only obeyed because he has power to punish. Consequently the obedience will only last as long as the power. This is a thought which parents especially should lay to heart.
II. The law of kindness is a law of policy. He who rules to-day may one day be at the mercy of him whom he rules. Kings have often needed favour of their subjects—the master has often been at the mercy of his servant; and what has happened before will happen again in the changes and chances of life, and those who have shown mercy will be the most likely at such times to receive it. “With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again” (Matthew 7:2) holds good in this case. Therefore, the “kindness of a king is a wise servant; but his wrath becomes one that bringeth shame.” For remarks on the text as rendered in the authorised version, see below.
OUTLINES AND SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS
Solomon gets back to his king-craft. These maxims were familiar to him. It is rarely wise for “a king” to get in a passion with his people (see Proverbs 14:29-30). “If thou wilt be a servant unto this people” was said to the successor of this very man (1 Kings 12:7); if thou wilt “answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.” But, more than king-craft, it is a rule for saints. The law of “kindness” should be on our lips. The power of gentleness is irresistible. If “the mercy for nations is the sin-offering” (see last verse), then we are all sinners together, and modesty forbids that we should go among the lost with anything but tenderness. The English version is due to the presence of a preposition. “The king’s favour is towards a wise servant.” But that preposition becomes idiomatic in certain cases. I say, “I want such a thing for a shelter.” “The kindness of a king is for a wise servant,” i.e., serves as one. There is no preposition before the words “brings shame;” but, on the contrary, the word is is written out, and, as usual in that case, means “becomes;” all of which state of facts is in favour of our new version.—Miller.
These words state what ought to be. No one ought to be the king or the queen’s servant who is not wise; and toward every such wise servant the royal favour should be specially extended. And who is a wise servant? Not a servant who flatters royal vanity; accommodates itself to royal foibles; indulges royal prejudices; chimes in with royal caprices; tolerates and connives at royal vices, whether personal or official. No; a wise servant must be a servant of conscientious principle, and of bland but unflinching fidelity. He is one who gives prudent and faithful counsel; who “speaks truth as he thinks it in his heart;” whose counsels are dictated by a right understanding of the times, and knowledge of what such times require, not by a wish to ingratiate the minister with the prince, and so to promote his own personal advantage, but by the principles of genuine patriotism as well as loyalty.… That servant “causeth shame” by whom that is encouraged from which reproach arises—who gives counsel to his prince which must prove either prejudicial or abortive; such as can hardly fail to render him unpopular with his subjects, and expose him, by their failure, to the derision of foreign states—a derision in which the kingdom as well as the throne, the people as well as the monarch, are involved.—Wardlaw.
Thus it is with the great King. All of us are His servants, bound to Him by the highest obligations; animated by the most glowing encouragements (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Matthew 24:44-46; Matthew 25:21-23). All of us have our responsibilities, our talents, our work, our account. Towards the “faithful and wise servant,” who has traded with his talents, who has been diligent in his work, and who is ready for his account—His favour will be infinitely condescending and honourable (John 12:26). But against him that causeth shame—reflecting upon his Master, neglectful in his work, unprepared for his account—His wrath will be tremendous and eternal.—Bridges.
Surely well is favour bestowed, where it reflecteth unto the giver’s honour: worthily is favour received, where wisdom’s hands are the receivers of it.—Jermin.