Righteous lips [are] the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
Ver. 13. Righteous lips are the delight of kings,] i.e., Of good kings, such as David was, who loved Nathan never the worse, but the better, for dealing plainly with him, gave him free access to his bedchamber, and named him a commissioner for the declaring of his successor. 1Ki 1:32 King Edward VI took much delight in Latimer, that faithful preacher; and Queen Elizabeth inquired much after Dearing, after she had once heard him telling her in a sermon that once it was tanquam ovis, but now velar indomita iuvenca, &c. But Dearing was without her knowledge laid up fast enough by the bishops, and kept far enough from coming near the court any more.
And they love him that speaketh right.] They should do so; but it happens somewhat otherwise ofttimes. Ahab hated Micaiah, and looked upon Elijah as a troubler of Israel. Alas! what had these righteous ones done? They taxed his sin, they foretold his judgment; they deserved it not, they inflicted it not, they were therefore "become his enemies, because they told him the truth." Truth breeds hatred, as the fair nymphs are feigned to do the ugly fawns and satyrs. Most princes are held by their parasites, who soothe them up in their sins, and smooth them up with fair words, which soak into them as oil doth into earthen vessels. David was none such; Psa 101:3-5 he went not attended, saith one, ut nunc fit, magno agmine aionum, negonum, ganeonum, palponum, gnathonum, balatronum, with a great sort of sycophants, courtparasites, flatterers, &c., but had the best he could pick to be next his person, and loved them that spoke right.